7 Super Song Facts About "Paint It, Black" By The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones have released more iconic tracks than any other band in history. They have been together for over half a century and hold the record for the most recorded songs of all time. One of the most iconic of their 439 tracks is “Paint It, Black”. Released in 1966, it was the first single from the fourth album, Aftermath, and became an anthem for the Sixties counter culture.

It is one of our favourite tunes. Music critic Richie Unterberger said the track qualifies as perhaps the most effective use of a sitar in a rock song.

In this guide

1. 1. Punctuation and titles
2. 2. Lack of inspiration
3. 3. Chart success
4. 4. Literary references
5. 5. Intro difficulties
6. 6. Vietnam War association
7. 7. Loss of control

Further Reading

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1. Punctuation and titles

The original version was entitled “Paint It Black” without a comma. Keith Richards later said that the record label, Decca, added the comma.

2. Lack of inspiration

There was no specific inspiration for the lyrics. When asked why he wrote a song about death and depression, Mick Jagger replied that he did not know. He noted it had been done before and was not an original thought. He stated it all depends on how you do it.

3. Chart success

In 1966, the single topped both the United States and the United Kingdom charts. It was the first US and UK number one single to feature a sitar. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 176 on the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

4. Literary references

Jagger took the line “I turn my head until my darkness goes” from James Joyce’s Ulysses.

5. Intro difficulties

Stones’ co-guitarist Ronnie Wood disclosed on his Absolute Radio show that Keith Richards has trouble remembering how to play this song. Wood revealed there is always a moment of hesitation where the band does not know if Richards will get the intro right.

6. Vietnam War association

In the late 1980s, “Paint It, Black” became associated with the Vietnam War. It was used in the ending credits of the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket. It also served as the theme song for Tour Of Duty, a CBS-TV show about the Vietnam war that ran from 1987 to 1990.

7. Loss of control

The Rolling Stones no longer control the rights to “Paint It, Black”. They sold the rights during the Sixties to their former manager Allen Klein.

Explore Finnish humour

The Rolling Stones defined an era of rebellion, much like how Finnish design and sauna culture define a specific way of living.

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Read Also

The Rolling Stones created a masterpiece with Paint It, Black despite losing the rights to it. These facts show how a simple sitar riff and a misplaced comma defined a generation.

• 25 Fascinating Facts About Finland
• Why the Finnish Education System Is the World’s Best