# In 1966, The Rolling Stones released their most popular song. To this day, Keith Richards doesn’t think it sounds right

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1966-the-rolling-stones-released-their-most-popular-song-to-this-day-keith-richards-doesnt-think-it-sounds-right/
- Published: 2026-10-25T17:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T18:38:18+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1966-the-rolling-stones-released-their-most-popular-song-to-this-day-keith-richards-doesnt-think-it-sounds-right/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- “Paint It Black” featured Brian Jones on sitar.
- Keith Richards thought its guitar sound and ending could be better.
- The article links the rushed feel to the song’s dark mood.

## Summary

The Rolling Stones released “Paint It Black” in 1966, using Brian Jones’s sitar to give the song an unusual sound and reinforce its theme of feeling out of place. The article presents it as one of the band’s most popular songs and a striking move beyond their blues roots.

Keith Richards later said he was unhappy with the recording: he felt the electric guitar sounded wrong and the ending was over-recorded and rushed. He thought more takes might have improved it, while the article argues that the track’s hurried, cacophonous energy suits its dark subject matter.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.