Paint It Incisive

In “The Horror, the Madness, the Movies” (April 16), Kenneth Turan said that “Paint It Black” by the Rolling Stones was a “nihilistic” song. It is not; it is a song of the passionate despair of a man whose love has died.

Having lost the most important part of his life, he is unable to find joy in anything and wants the whole world in mourning. He stands staring at the setting sun hoping insanely that that act of will and magic and penance will somehow resurrect his love. This is agony and despair, not nihilism. It is also a remarkably insightful depiction of a man who has suffered such a loss.

SPENCER BOLES

Riverside