"Paint It Black" is a song by the Rolling Stones (pictured), recorded in 1966 and released as a single in May. Two months later, London Records included it as the opening track on the American version of the band's studio album Aftermath. The song's unconventional instrumentation includes a prominent sitar, a Hammond organ, and castanets. Reviews at the time were mixed. Some music critics believed the sitar was used to attempt to copy the Beatles; others criticized its experimental style and doubted its commercial potential. Retrospectively, however, it is considered a turning point in the band's development; Pitchfork called it "rock's most nihilistic hit to date". It spent 11 weeks (including 2 at number one) on the US Billboard Hot 100, and 10 weeks (including 1 at the top) on the UK Record Retailer chart. A 2007 re-issue spent 11 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018, the song is ranked 213th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint_It_Black
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1605:
After a scuffle in which one cardinal received broken bones, the papal conclave elected Camillo Borghese as Pope Paul V. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1605_papal_conclave
1929:
The 1st Academy Awards ceremony was held at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Academy_Awards
1960:
American physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first working laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Maiman
1975:
Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junko_Tabei
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
Eoan: 1. Relating to the dawn. 2. Relating to the east; eastern. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Eoan
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The Voice had promised me that, as soon I came to the King, he would receive me. Those of my party knew well that the Voice had been sent me from God; they have seen and known this Voice, I am sure of it. My King and many others have also heard and seen the Voices which came to me: there were there Charles de Bourbon and two or three others. There is not a day when I do not hear this Voice; and I have much need of it. But never have I asked of it any recompense but the salvation of my soul. --Joan of Arc https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc