# Rock's 1966 Shift

> The Rolling Stones' 1966 hit 'Paint It, Black' signaled rock's readiness for change.
- Title: Rock's 1966 Shift · American Songwriter | Shortify
- Summary: The Rolling Stones' 1966 hit 'Paint It, Black' signaled rock's readiness for change.
- Keywords: 1960s, rock music, the rolling stones, paint it, black, music, American Songwriter
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/how-one-of-the-best-selling-songs-of-1966-proved-that-rock-was-ready-to-make-a-change
- Author: Alex Hopper
- Published: 2026-11-13T23:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: 1960s, rock music, the rolling stones, paint it, black, music, culture
## Rock's 1966 Shift
The 1960s saw rock music transform from simple roots to volatile energy.
## Best-Selling Song of 1966
The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It, Black' was the year's best-selling song and signaled rock's readiness for change.
## Dark Turn in Rock
The song's dark lyrics and sitar instrumentation marked a departure from rock's typical sounds.
## Key takeaway

The Rolling Stones' 1966 song 'Paint It, Black' marked rock music's shift toward darker themes.