In The Rolling Stones' “Paint It Black,” the lyric “I see a red door and I want it painted...” is completed by “black.”
The song was released in 1966 and credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It became notable for its unusually dark mood, driving rhythm and prominent sitar part played by Brian Jones.
The lyrics use black imagery to express grief, anger and emotional alienation. The song does not provide a single explicit explanation for every image, which has led listeners to connect it with mourning, war and psychological distress.
“Paint It Black” reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Its combination of psychedelic rock, Indian musical influence and blues-based songwriting helped make it one of The Rolling Stones' most distinctive recordings.