The song "Paint It Black" by Gov't Mule is a cover of the original song by The Rolling Stones. Both versions share similar lyrics and themes. The song portrays a sense of darkness, despair, and longing for change. The protagonist of the song describes seeing a red door and wanting it painted black. This desire for darkness and the absence of colors reflects a feeling of emptiness and a desire to escape reality. The lyrics suggest that the world is becoming black and devoid of life. The girls walking by in their summer clothes symbolize happiness and vibrancy, but the protagonist must turn away from that brightness because of the darkness within themselves. The line of cars painted black represents death and loss, as flowers and love will never return. The lyrics imply that people look away from the darkness and misery, just like they would turn away from a newborn baby. This highlights the harsh reality that suffering and pain are common and often ignored. The protagonist then looks inside themselves and realizes that their heart is black, emphasizing their own inner turmoil and feelings of hopelessness. They long for their own red door to be painted black, hoping that it will allow them to fade away and avoid facing the truth. The line "no more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue" suggests a loss of hope or the fading of positive emotions. The protagonist couldn't anticipate the negative experiences happening to them or to the person they're singing about. By looking into the setting sun, they hope to find solace and happiness with their love. However, they feel the need to turn away from the darkness until it dissipates. The chorus repeats the desire to see everything painted black, emphasizing the longing for a world without colors and brightness. The repetition reinforces the protagonist's desperation for change and escape from their despair. Overall, "Paint It Black" explores themes of darkness, loss, inner turmoil, and the desire for transformation. It reflects a state of mind where hope is diminished, and the protagonist seeks solace in the absence of color and light.
