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Today in Rolling Stones history: May 13

*Click for more DAILY ROLLING STONES CHRONOLOGY 1962-present

May 13, 1964: City Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England (2 shows)

May 13, 1966: Release of the Paint It Black / Long Long While 7″ single in the UK (Decca F 12395)

Paint It Black has sparked many interpretations, some speculative. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t specifically about the Vietnam War, Mick Jagger’s breakup with Chrissie Shrimpton, or his relationship with Marianne Faithfull. Instead, the song may represent the emotional turmoil brought on by hallucinogens or mirror the mindset of someone battling intense depression, symbolized by its dark, color-based imagery. There was no singular inspiration behind the lyrics. When asked why he wrote about death, Jagger admitted there was no unique reason, simply saying, “It’s been done before… It’s not an original idea. It’s all about how you handle it.”

As for Long Long While, released as the B-side to Paint It Black, it didn’t appear in the U.S. until the More Hot Rocks compilation in 1972. Unlike many early Stones B-sides, it stood out as a stronger track—arguably better than some early originals used as filler. Its exclusion from albums like Aftermath or Flowers may be due to its softer, more emotional tone, which contrasted with the edgier, sarcastic style Jagger and Richards favored then. The song explores a rare theme for Jagger: a man admitting fault and pleading for forgiveness, expressed with genuine vulnerability and emotional vocal delivery.

May 13, 1972: The Stones start a week of tour rehearsals at the Rialto Cinema in Montreux, Switzerland. Songs rehearsed included: Shake Your Hips, Bluesberry Jam, John’s Jam, Tumbling Dice and Loving Cup.

May 13-June 7, 2002: The Stones record new material for the first time in five years, at Guillaume Tell Studios in Suresne, France, to accompany their upcoming greatest hits package.

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