The Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
Hello! Below you'll find my "Paint It Black" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This classic song by The Rolling Stones has a fairly simple chord progression. In the video, I show you a few different options to approach the accompaniment so that you can find a perfect fit for your level.
Enjoy!
Paint It Black Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Paint It Black:
Paint It Black Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
Em B7 Em | Em |
Em B7 Em | Em |
[Verse 1]
Em B7
I see a red door and I want it painted black
Em B7
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
Em D G D
I see the girls walk by dressed
Em B7
I see a red door and I want it painted black
Em B7
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
Em D G D
I see the girls walk by dressed
Em
In their summer clothes
Em D G D A B7
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
Em D G D A B7
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
[Verse 2]
Em B7
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
Em B7
With flowers and my love both never to come back
Em D G D Em
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Em D G D A B7
Like a newborn baby it just happens every day
Em B7
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
Em B7
With flowers and my love both never to come back
Em D G D Em
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Em D G D A B7
Like a newborn baby it just happens every day
[Verse 3]
Em B7
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
Em B7
I see my red door, I must have it painted black
Em D G D Em
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
Em D G D A B7
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
Em B7
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
Em B7
I see my red door, I must have it painted black
Em D G D Em
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
Em D G D A B7
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black
[Verse 4]
Em B7
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
Em B7
I could not forsee this thing happening to you
Em B7
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
Em B7
I could not forsee this thing happening to you
Em D G D Em
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
Em D G D A B7
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
Em D G D A B7
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
[Verse 5]
Em B7
I see a red door and I want it painted black
Em B7
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
Em D G D
I see the girls walk by dressed
Em B7
I see a red door and I want it painted black
Em B7
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
Em D G D
I see the girls walk by dressed
Em
In their summer clothes
Em D G D A B7
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
Em D G D A B7
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
[Outro]
Em
Hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm
Em
Hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm
B7
Hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm,hmm X4
Em
I wanna see it painted, painted black
B7
Black as night, black as coal
Em B7
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
Em
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted
Em
I wanna see it painted, painted black
B7
Black as night, black as coal
Em B7
I wanna see the sun blotted out from the sky
Em
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted
B7
Painted black Yeah!
Em B7 (repeat and fade)
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Paint It Black Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Paint It Black" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Paint It Black" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
