I Always enjoyed the song...then when I saw it live during No Security in DC...I so thrilled!!!
I wished they had tossed it back into the mix during ABB tour.

I never knew The Animals ( and every incarnation) did a cover...here is Eric Burdon & War tearing it up...Like Crazy Eddie used to say, " IT's INSANE!!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmCgEpTjxwM&feature=related

I have heard different thoughts on what the song is really about... Ex- Girlfriend...drugs...H in particular...depression...boredom...

what is your take?

One of my favorites. I think it's about "misery loves company." They did play it a lot during the ABB tour. Great versions, really heavy. I love the version on SAL.

An anthem
Pure psychedelic rock
Magic
Brian
:smilebrian

I always loved it, heard so many versions of it, here is Eric Burdon at Monterey, I think he was the one who introduced Brian at the festival.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tStR19jxS-I

Outstanding tuneage.  
Terrific driving guitar riff.
Just another in the canon of songs of the best band in the land.

Driving...ahead of it's time. A wonderful showcase for Brian, bringing in the "flavor" that made those 60's Stones songs stand out from "the rest" :) 8-)

Charlie's opening salvo alone makes this a classic!..........underrated a bit too and really loved the live versions i have heard..or better yet seen!

devilish

PIB you devil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVJjYcAptho

I've always thought of it as a commercial hitsingle, not bad, but surely not their best from that period. That's why they did play "Under my thumb" in the seventies, that is I think their best song from that perod, and not "Paint it black", although I do kind of like the live version from the Steel Wheels tour. But they played it only because it was a hughe succes in "Tour Of Duty", not because they think it's one of their better songs (IMO). So it's definitly a commercial song (LOL) For me it has become the ultimate warhorse.

One of my favorite Stones songs.

with what they and others were doing commercially, it's a huge turning point... just a creative attempt at something very different, and they pullled it off well...

Great live, at the end especially.

Holden wrote on Jul 14^th, 2011 at 9:38am:

One of my favorites. I think it's about "misery loves company." They did play it a lot during the ABB tour. Great versions, really heavy. I love the version on SAL.

I went back thru the archives...and you are right...they played it one of the nites i saw them...but don't recall because of the bomb scare and the frakkin delay it caused...however, the MR they added remains implanted in my brain......Charlottesville NC, 10/6/05...that 06/10/05 to you non-yanks!!

Pdog wrote on Jul 14^th, 2011 at 6:02pm:

with what they and others were doing commercially, it's a huge turning point... just a creative attempt at something very different, and they pullled it off well...

Yeah! That's what I was tryin' to say... ;) 8-)

As a song, this is one of the best in the RS catalog although this song is about DEATH, not typically a topic for a pop tune. The song is dark, and the lyrics describe the feeling we get when someone we love dies suddenly. We cant be happy, we're in a depressed state of mind. OK this line describes the hurst and flowers of the funeral procession I see a line of cars and they're all painted black, With flowers and my love both never to come back His heart is grieving, red door represents a bright and happy heart, and the black door represents a darkened heartI look inside myself and see my heart is black, I see my red door and it has been painted black This line talks about the loss affecting state of mind, and how death can never be predicted No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue, I could not foresee this thing happening to you Reflection of death and life ~ Like a new born baby it just happens ev'ry day No more bright sun, he's consumed by the darkness of death, when the lights go out on a life forever Black as night, black as coal
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky Paint it black, yeah.

Yeah, it's a funeral song....an updated blues.

BITCH...you RAWK!!
Thanks for the analysis!!

Along with Paperback Writer and Shapes Of Things and All Or Nothing, it was one of the singles of '66. I wish I had the 45rpm.

Paranoid Android wrote on Jul 14^th, 2011 at 7:38pm:

Holden wrote on Jul 14th, 2011 at 9:38am: One of my favorites. I think it's about "misery loves company." They did play it a lot during the ABB tour. Great versions, really heavy. I love the version on SAL. I went back thru the archives...and you are right...they played it one of the nites i saw them...but don't recall because of the bomb scare and the frakkin delay it caused...however, the MR they added remains implanted in my brain......Charlottesville NC, 10/6/05...that 06/10/05 to you non-yanks!!

I love the Song Cause Of The Drums......... by the way Thomas Jefferson would want me to correct you....... Chalottesville is in and has always been in Good Ole "Sweet Virginia", Thank God...........I was there 10/6/2005, great show at UVA Scott Stadium!

Probably my favorite Stones song.  Everything about it was magnificent. Brian's sitar, Keith and mick's song, Mick's lyrics, Keith's guitar, Charlie's drumming and Bill's bass.

better than anything The Beatles ever put out.

Bitch wrote on Jul 14^th, 2011 at 9:38pm:

As a song, this is one of the best in the RS catalog although this song is about DEATH, not typically a topic for a pop tune. The song is dark, and the lyrics describe the feeling we get when someone we love dies suddenly. We cant be happy, we're in a depressed state of mind. OK this line describes the hurst and flowers of the funeral procession I see a line of cars and they're all painted black, With flowers and my love both never to come back His heart is grieving, red door represents a bright and happy heart, and the black door represents a darkened heartI look inside myself and see my heart is black, I see my red door and it has been painted black This line talks about the loss affecting state of mind, and how death can never be predicted No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue, I could not foresee this thing happening to you Reflection of death and life ~ Like a new born baby it just happens ev'ry day No more bright sun, he's consumed by the darkness of death, when the lights go out on a life forever Black as night, black as coal I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky Paint it black, yeah.

Great analysis of Mick's lyrics!

Thanks Uncleson and Paranoid A! I analyzed this song years ago when I realized it wasnt about painting doors and houses!

At my funeral party I'm requesting Paint it Black along with Dead Flowers, Heartbreaker, Too Much Blood, Sister Morphine and Waiting on a Friend. Those RS songs talk of death. If I think of any others I will add them to the playlist.

My friend Glenda passed away and they played her Ipod at her funeral party, which was actually a very cool way to go. She had great songs and we were all singing her favorite tunes as our last farewells to her.

i am very sorry about your friend's passing...though happy you enjoyed her memorial!!

Very sorry that your friend passed.

Aww thanks. It was an unexpected Paint It Black death. She was communicating with us thru her Ipod. Oddly sadisfying too.