Paint it Black
WOHNZIMMER - The Rolling Stones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors 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
Like a new born baby, it just happens every day

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door, 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 foresee this thing happening to you

If I look hard enough into the settin' sun
My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors 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

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm

I wanna see it painted, painted black
Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
Yeah

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm




Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm

Overall Meaning

"Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones is a song filled with dark and somber imagery, expressing feelings of sorrow, emptiness, and a desire to escape from reality. The song begins by describing a red door that the singer wants to be painted black. This desire for the color black represents a desire to eliminate all colors and brightness from their life, as it seems they have grown tired of the vibrancy and want to embrace a more melancholic state.


The lyrics continue by observing the people around them, particularly girls dressed in summer clothes. However, the singer feels the need to turn away from this glimpse of happiness. This suggests a sense of isolation and a disconnect from joy and lightness. The mention of a line of cars painted black with flowers and love never to return suggests a sense of loss, grief, and potentially death.


The third verse delves into the singer's introspection, as they look within themselves and see a black heart. They desire to paint their red door black, possibly hoping that by doing so, they can fade away and avoid facing the harsh realities of life. This speaks to a deep emotional pain and the difficulty of confronting one's own darkness.


The final verse introduces a shift in perspective, mentioning the singer's green sea turning a deeper blue. This likely symbolizes a loss of hope or a deepening sadness. The singer then expresses a longing to find solace in the setting sun, hoping that their love will laugh with them before the morning comes. This portrays a desperate desire for connection and happiness, even if it is fleeting.


Overall, "Paint It Black" conveys a sense of emotional turmoil, loneliness, and a longing for escape. The lyrics are rich in imagery, using the color black to symbolize darkness and the absence of light and joy. It is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human emotions, the struggles we face, and the need for connection and understanding.


Line by Line Meaning

I see a red door and I want it painted black
I notice a red door, and I desire for it to be painted in the color black.


No colors anymore, I want them to turn black
I no longer desire to see any other colors, and I want everything to be transformed into the color black.


I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I observe the girls passing by, wearing their attire suitable for the summer season.


I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I feel compelled to avert my gaze until my internal darkness dissipates.


I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
I perceive a row of cars, and each one of them is coated in the color black.


With flowers and my love, both never to come back
Accompanied by flowers and my affection, neither of them will ever return.


I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
I witness individuals who redirect their vision and rapidly avert their gaze.


Like a new born baby, it just happens every day
Similar to a newborn infant, this occurrence takes place on a daily basis.


I look inside myself and see my heart is black
Upon introspection, I discover that my heart is filled with darkness.


I see my red door, I must have it painted black
I behold my red door, and it is imperative for me to have it adorned in the color black.


Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
Perhaps by doing so, I will fade into obscurity and be spared from confronting the truth.


It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
Confronting challenges becomes arduous when your entire world is cloaked in darkness.


No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
The once vibrant green sea will no longer transition into a deeper shade of blue.


I could not foresee this thing happening to you
I had no ability to predict that this unfortunate event would befall you.


If I look hard enough into the settin' sun
If I gaze intently at the sun as it sets in the sky.


My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes
My beloved will share laughter with me prior to the arrival of morning.


Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Vocalizing unintelligible sounds.


I wanna see it painted, painted black
I desire to witness everything being covered in the color black.


Black as night, black as coal
As dark as the night sky, as dark as coal.


I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
I long to witness the complete obstruction of the sun in the sky.


I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black
I yearn to observe everything being saturated with multiple layers of the color black.


Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation.


Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Vocalizing unintelligible sounds.


Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Vocalizing unintelligible sounds.


Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Vocalizing unintelligible sounds.


Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Vocalizing unintelligible sounds.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Michael Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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