In 1997, at the age of 15, he released his major-label debut, 'Lie to Me'. Though it picked up mixed critical reviews, the album served as a commercial breakthrough, with single "Lie to Me" particularly receiving much airplay and earning the #12 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. That blues rock track continues to be beloved by Lang's fan-base.
Lang followed with 'Wander This World', released on October 20, 1998. Broadening his sound somewhat with influences from classic soul and modern rock, the release experienced widespread success. His singles, "Wander This World" and "Still Rainin'", did particularly well, the latter tune reaching the #8 slot on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
Several releases and constant touring later, Lang's latest work is 'Fight For My Soul', released on September 2, 2013. The album has received critical acclaim from publications such has Allmusic, with the reviewers remarking that Lang "dives headfirst into classic soul and R&B, its elastic, funky grooves allowing the guitarist plenty of space to solo". It also hit the #20 slot on Billboard's 'Top Rock Albums' chart, selling extremely well.
Part of his success has been due to a voice that sounds somewhat like that of a 40-year-old blues veteran, containing what fans have seen as a harshness tempered by a fine falsetto that has taken prominence in his newest albums. Another part of his success is his scorching, electrifying guitar solos, which display a prodigious natural talent honed by years of practice and playing. Whatever the secret to his success, the youngster has quickly become a fixture in the blues world, drawing crowds wherever he goes.
Lang has drawn deeply from the wellspring of influences from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert King, Luther Allison, and Albert Collins. Many blues artists have also been encouraged to pick up the guitar from his example. As he becomes more confident in his role as a musical veteran instead of a boy wonder, one can see the possibilities he has yet to share with his fans.
Paint it Black
Jonny Lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No colours anymore, I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love, both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and I must have it painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not forsee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colours anymore I want them to turn back
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I want to see your face painted black,
black as night, black as coal
Don't want to see the sun, flying high in the sky
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black, yea
In Jonny Lang's hit song "Paint It Black", the lyrics describe the singer's depiction of his inner darkness. The opening line emphasizes his desire to have a red door painted black. The color black is a recurring theme throughout the song and symbolizes an absence of light, hopelessness, and despair. The singer wishes for all colors to turn black, illuminating his view of the world as bleak and sorrowful. He has to turn his head away from the girls dressed in summery clothes, emphasizing his feeling of isolation.
As the song continues, the singer observes a line of cars, adorned with flowers and lost love. People look away, possibly indicating their discomfort with grief and loss, comparing it to the everyday occurrence of a newborn crying. The singer then reflects on himself, seeing his heart as black, indicating his sense of self-awareness and acknowledgement of his emotional turmoil. He tells himself that he must have the red door painted black, suggesting a longing for his inner darkness to be visually represented in his surroundings.
The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desire for everything to be painted black. The final verse offers a glimmer of hope, as the singer wishes to see the face of his love painted black, "black as night, black as coal." This can possibly indicate his desire to share his inner darkness with someone he loves, in hopes of finding comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a red door and I want it painted black
The singer desires a red door to be painted black.
No colours anymore, I want them to turn black
The singer wants everything to be black, and doesn't want any other colors.
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
Girls are walking by wearing summer clothes.
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
The singer feels dark and must turn away from the cheerful scene until it fades.
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
There is a line of cars that are all black.
With flowers and my love, both never to come back
The flowers and love will never return.
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
People quickly turn their heads away, perhaps because of the singer's appearance or demeanor.
Like a newborn baby it just happens ev'ryday
People turn their heads like it's an everyday occurrence, the way people look at a newborn baby.
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
The singer looks inside and realizes that their heart is filled with darkness.
I see my red door and I must have it painted black
The singer sees the red door again and feels the urge to paint it black.
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
The singer hopes that by hiding in darkness, they won't have to face reality.
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
It's hard to face reality when everything in your life is dark and depressing.
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
The singer will not allow themselves to feel any deeper emotions than their current state of darkness.
I could not forsee this thing happening to you
The singer didn't expect this to happen to someone they care about.
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
The singer hopes to find clarity and understanding by looking into the sunset.
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
The singer hopes that their loved one will share a happy moment with them before the morning.
I want to see your face painted black,
The singer wants to see their love's face painted black.
black as night, black as coal
The singer envisions their love's face to be as dark as the night or coal.
Don't want to see the sun, flying high in the sky
The singer doesn't want to see the sun shining in the sky.
I want to see it painted, painted, painted, painted black, yea
The singer wants everything to be black, including the sun.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MajikMarcus
Seriously, this song is one of the top covers of all time. I must of listened 8 times in a row when I first got it. The only thing that has ever possessed me so was "Gloria" by Patti Smith. I am sooooooo freaking glad that I grew up when I did.
Lseli
awesomeness, as always. Whatever "IT"is, he has it in spades!
KlassiclyRevampT
Have love, love, loved Jonny for years. His music is beautiful.
Joris Bos
Dare i say it? I think it's better than the original :)
KyBoy2999
got anymore of these hidden away somewhere....the best cover I have heard
55haywire
oh my GOD!!! Incredible! Jonny you make it new again!!!
ernesto ramirez
lang is cool but for me cover of burdon is the best
hf hgfh
i always ask myself like this
sham974
@FoggyFreek +1 ;-) however I love The Stones
Pennshitz
one deaf person disliked this...hahaha!