The Rolling Stones' "Paint it Black"

One Song

Hartbeat

Music Interviews, Comedy, Music, Music Commentary

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

How did one of rock’s most successful bands of all time accidentally create one of the darkest hits in pop history? Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY dig into The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black,” unpacking the band’s complicated legacy and tracing the blend of American blues, surf rock, and global sounds that gave the song its spell-like power. Songs Discussed: “Paint It Black” - The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” - The Rolling Stones “Miss You” - The Rolling Stones “Emotional Rescue” - The Rolling Stones “Brown Sugar” - The Rolling Stones “Shattered” - The Rolling Stones “Under My Thumb” - The Rolling Stones “Boléro” - Maurice Ravel “Norwegian Wood” - The Beatles “Pipeline” - The Chantays “Bir Eylül Akşamı” - Erkin Koray “My World Is Empty Without You Babe” - The Supremes “Lorelei” - Cocteau Twins “Love Attack” - Konk One Song Spotify Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	They almost sound ironic.
0:11.0	I think so too.
0:12.0	I think so too.
0:14.0	So luxury, today we're talking about a defining song of the Vietnam era,
0:19.0	and it comes from one of the most successful rock bands of all time. I mean, these guys are in their 80s, and they're still on tour. It's insane. And today we're taking it back to 1966 when these legacy rockers were still in their 20s. But this isn't some optimistic flower power power moment. With its bleak lyrics, pounding rhythm, and spell-like riff, this song is one of the darkest songs to ever hit number one.
0:39.3	In fact, this is basically a goth-raga, surf rock,
0:42.3	Spanish ballet, Indian, and Middle Eastern song, all wrapped into one.
0:46.3	All in one.
0:47.3	That's right, we're talking one song, and that song is Painted Black by the Rolling Stones.
0:52.3	I see a wryctor and I want it into black. Black by the Rolling Stones.
1:11.7	Hey, One Song listeners. If you love our show, you should check out Trappital, the podcast where technology meets culture. Each episode, Trappital hosts and founder, Dan Runcie, digs into the
1:17.1	strategy behind the media and technology that drives our attention. You'll hear Tropital explore
1:21.9	topics like YouTube's growing influence in music and entertainment, the never-ending saga about
1:27.0	TikTok's future, and how AI is shaping the future. Media is one of the first industries to get disrupted by new tech. It's Trappital's job to keep you ahead of the latest trends. You can listen to Trappital wherever you get your podcast. That's Trappital, T-R-A-P-P-I-T-A-L.
1:50.0	I'm actor-writer-director and sometimes DJ Diallo Riddell. And I'm producer, DJ, songwriter, and musicologist luxury, aka the guy who whispers, Interpolation.
1:56.0	And this is one song.
1:57.0	The show where we break down the stems and stories behind iconic songs across genres and tell
2:02.0	you why they deserve one more listen.
2:03.6	You will hear these songs like you've never heard them before.
2:05.9	And if you want to watch one song, you can do so on YouTube while you're there, please like
2:09.8	and subscribe.
2:10.5	So, Diyah, when was the first time you heard Painted Black?
	...

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