Tone Analysis

In their song, Paint it Black, The Rolling Stones make purpose of paradoxical similes, color-specific imagery, and inconspicuous symbolism to convey a dark tone, portraying the simple articles of life, now to be “painted black”.

Of the two similes present in the song, the line, “Like a newborn baby it just happens everyday” draws the listener into a thought provoking, paradoxical proposition: That “darkness”, not much mentioned amongst us, is a necessary and innumerous component of our lives, more natural than first apprehended. The comparison is undeniably clever. A newborn child; the universal symbol for natural life and new hope, now being valued and gratified on the same level of acceptance as things that comply with “darkness”. In its admirable use, the simile promotes abstract thought and apprehension to the readers, leading them to understand that not all naturally occurring things are good.

Being that the color black is most usually associated with darkness, the repetitive color specific imagery used in the song is both necessary and appropriate. The speaker in the song proposes that if the world were to be cast into darkness, similar to the one that [he] is, it would be easier to function in life. (“Maybe then I’ll fade away and not have to face the facts/ Its not easy facing up when your whole world is black.”). Contrasting the overwhelming use of black, is the near daunting image of a red door, red being connected with passion and love, only to be painted black. (“I see my red door I must have it painted black”). These two color specific devices successfully aid the tonal aspect of the song.

Although it is arguably an element of imagery, the article(s) of a red door and the speaker’s heart, assumed to be red in color as well, hold the possibility of a deeper symbol. (“I look inside myself and see my heart is black/ I see my red door and must have it painted black.”). Arguably, it could be proposed that the red door mentioned, yearning to be opened, is a metaphorical embodiment of the speaker’s heart itself.