Many songs from the 1960s were associated with protest against the Vietnam War, even if they were not intended to. One of those was ‘Paint It Black’, by The Rolling Stones, released in 1966. This was a huge hit on both sides of The Atlantic, and reached the number one spot in the UK Charts.
21 years later, the song reached a new audience when it was used in the Stanley Kubrick film ‘Full Metal Jacket’.
You have to click the link ‘Watch on You Tube to see the video, due to the adult rating for the film.
I see a red door
And I want it painted black
No colors anymore
I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by
Dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head
Until my darkness goes
I see a line of cars
And they’re all painted black
With flowers and my love
Both never to come back
I’ve seen people turn their heads
And quickly look away
Like a newborn baby
It just happens everyday
I look inside myself
And see my heart is black
I see my red door
I must have it painted black
Maybe then, I’ll fade away
And not have to face the facts
It’s not easy facing up
When your whole world is black
No more will my green sea
Go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing
Happening to you
If I look hard enough
Into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me
Before the morning comes
I see a red door
And I want it painted black
No colors anymore
I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by
Dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head
Until my darkness goes
I wanna see it painted
Painted black
Black as night
Black as coal
I wanna see the sun
Blotted out from the sky
I wanna see it painted, painted, painted
Painted black, yeah
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Mick Jagger / Keith Richards
beetleypete 
I haven’t seen this film since it first came out in theaters. I have no recollection of the scenes in this film clip. I guess I need to see the movie again!
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I watched it again in early 2022. It is still a very powerful film.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hubby refuses to watch any Vietnam movies, much like my mother refusing to watch any WWII movies.
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I can understand that, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. Best to you.
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It sure went well with the after breakup moods in the dorm!
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Yes, it does have rather depressing lyrics.
Best wishes, Pete.
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One of my favorite songs.
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Glad to hear that, Dawn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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It is perfect for that movie. A lot of good songs came out of that period but what a dark time. A beautiful part of the world. I loved it and I hated that it turned so ugly.
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It suited the mood of that war, undoubtedly.
Best wishes, Pete.
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This song was very effective in “Full Metal Jacket.” I watched the movie once, but I won’t watch it again. It was very, very upsetting.
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It was a ‘hard watch’, I agree. As was ‘Platoon’, ‘Hamburger Hill’, ‘Apocalypse Now’, and almost every other film trying to show the reality of war in Vietnam.
Best wishes, Pete.
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And that is the nature of war. Warmest regards, Ed
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We lost a good friend in that war. All the songs of that era make the memories come flooding back.
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I can imagine, Maggie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I always thought this song was about depression?
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It probably was, but it became very popular with US troops in Vietnam at the time.
Best wishes, Pete. (See chuq’s comment below. He was there, fighting.)
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A very popular tune in Vietnam…..chuq
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It certainly was, chuq. Kubrick knew that, so used it at the end of the film.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The Vietnam war was very close to me at high school. NZ got involved (to kiss American ass) but no conscription – at that stage. But the war & musics & real. There are many films as Pee says. And all for what???
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Looking back now, it all seems to be a tragic waste.
Best wishes, Pete.
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