The song "Paint It Black" by Harley Poe is actually a cover of the original song by The Rolling Stones. The lyrics describe a person's desire to see everything in their life turned black after experiencing loss, heartbreak, and a sense of darkness. The phrase "I see a red door and I want it painted black" symbolizes the narrator's longing to cover up any remnants of color and happiness in their surroundings. They want to embrace the darkness and numbness that they feel inside. The girls dressed in summer clothes and the line of cars painted black with flowers symbolize the beauty and life that the narrator no longer sees. They have become desensitized to the world and want to turn away from anything that reminds them of joy or love. The song also mentions how people turn their heads and quickly look away, reflecting the common response to pain and sadness in society. The comparison to a newborn baby suggests that ignoring or avoiding pain has become an everyday occurrence for the narrator. The lyrics also touch upon the internal struggle of the narrator, as they realize their own heart is black and long for their red door to also be painted black. This desire to hide from reality and fade away demonstrates their inability to cope with their emotions and face the truth. The line "No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue" implies the loss of hope and optimism. The narrator could not have anticipated the events that led to their current state. The song concludes with a longing to see the sun flying high in the sky, but painted black. This contradictory statement showcases the narrator's desire for darkness and the absence of any brightness or positivity in their life. Overall, "Paint It Black" explores themes of grief, depression, and the struggle to accept and confront one's emotions. It portrays a person's yearning to hide from pain and seek solace in darkness.
