1966 No.1 Rock Classic, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time,' Released 60 Years Ago Today
One of the Rolling Stones' most iconic tracks was released in the mid-1960s when guitarist Brian Jones grew restless. The legendary rock band would end up releasing an experimental track 60 years ago that would go down as one of the best songs ever created beyond the rock genre.
"Paint It Black" ranked in at No. 213 on Rolling Stone's list of the Greatest Songs of All Time, with its legacy seeped in its use of haunting sounds, unconventional instruments, and having an Indian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European influence. Many critics called it a deviation from what the rock band was known for, but it topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts at No. 1 for 11 weeks and dominated the charts worldwide. It's even been tagged as a hit that helped shape rock 'n roll.
By the mid-'60s, the Rolling Stones were rising as a rock band rivaling the Beatles with hits like "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Get Off of My Cloud." As Mick Jagger and Keith Richards became more prominent as the band's songwriters, Jones grew bored of trying to develop conventional guitar melodies while working on their Aftermath album.
Richards even recalls Jones having pretty much "given up the guitar by then." During an L.A. session, Jones started plucking a "haunting melody" on a sitar that would be the foundation of "Paint It Black." By 1966, the band had written the lyrics and the chord progression, but their album was delayed due to a media outlet revealing that the band planned to name the album Could You Walk on the Water?
Embroiled in controversy, the album was retitled and gave the band more time to work on the track, including "Paint It Black." Richards told Beat Instrumental magazine in 1966 that, "Our previous sessions have always been rush jobs. This time we were able to relax a little, take our time."
The track was later released as a single on May 13, 1966, to mixed reactions from critics. Some felt the Rolling Stones were trying to copy the Beatles, while others called the track one of the best uses of a sitar on a rock record. UltimateClassicRock called it a "major turning point in artistic evolution" for the band and rock's most "nihilistic" hit to date.
"Paint It Black" has since been covered by multiple artists and has become a rock staple. While appearing in multiple lists of the great songs to ever be released, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 9:02 AM.