TIME STAMPS - 0:39 Performance 4:05 Analysis Start 5:44 Melody is King 6:50 Setting up the Groove 10:48 Song Information 12:21 Lead Guitar, Essential Listening 17:13 Performance (Part 2) 20:24 Analysis Resumption (Lead Guitar)
First time I heard it I thought, 'He' s back!' and went out and bought the CD. Great song but not the greatest by any means. I really enjoyed your thoughts on it. Btw, I saw Professor of Rock video about Zeppelin's Kashmir a couple of days ago. He mentioned the vocals and the guitar are in different time signatures. I'd never thought about it but it is quite obvious once it's pointed out. Could you explain how that works (same piece, different time signatures) and are there other examples?
@@georgemodzelewski6826 Billboard rankings are based on sales not opinions. Actually this song is number two in their 2018 60th anniversary rankings behind “The Twist”
There can never be a greatest song of all time. Not unless everyone gets to vote. Musical taste is subjective. The goat is different for most people. Time, place, and generation all influence. This is a great song, in my opinion, but not the goat. We don’t need a greatest of all time, we just need what we like.
@@pmbbmp EXACTLY! Data that is correlated with information just going back 22 years ago and not taking into consideration all ages and each generations time frames.
I see it because of the public's involvement! No matter how bad you think you dance or sing you want to do both! Both Carlos and Rob are professionals to the hilt!
Hmm. That's the first time I've seen the abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time (goat). At first I thought it was a typo, then I got it from the context. Hey - What's the abbreviation for abbreviation? 🙃
I have always liked Santana, but I don’t see this as being even close to being the all-time #1 song of any genre, let alone rock. Not sure how Billboard made that determination.
You can´t count on Billboard, Cream Magazine, Rolling Stone or those fukin´ idiots on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting panel, (whoever dafuque they may be). Commercial Pop and Rock music started going down the toilet in the Seventies and completed its journey to the sewers approaching the Eighties.
@@martindoran5744: Yeah, movie critics don´t usually know their ass from a hole in the ground either. Frankly, they're pretty reliable as reverse barometers; if they hate it it´s likely worth a view. LOL! Back to music though, Ive seen a lot of good musicians right here on TH-cam over the years. A good example are those kids from the School of Rock, and I watch Mike Pachelli's guitar tutorials a lot. (later, dude)
My thoughts exactly! This was about as "plain brown paper bag" rock as you could get.... might as well have been a Nickleback song. Santana saved it from obscurity with his great lead licks.... but really this song has little else going for it beyond bands such as Smashmouth, Matchbox 20outof100 (ehem) or Hootie and the Blowhards.
The best reviewer I,ve ever seen. He breaks everything down both instrumentally as well as vocally and demonstrates what he reviews. Most reviewers just say great vocal and song, which I already knew. This guy teaches you why. Great reviews.
Santana has been a true artist of the guitar since I first heard him in the 60s. From those first performances, you could hear his emotional comittment to the music. He brings the guitar to a new level - voicing, not flash. Melody, not finger gymnastics. He works with the best musicians, because they can appreciate his virtuosity. I am forever grateful for having Santana's music in my lifetime. Carlos, please stay well and keep playing!
On every commentary you offer, my understanding is expanded --in several areas and to significant depths. And, because you are ever speaking with the greatest respect for music and musicians, there is no getting bogged down in silliness or infantile ego games. Thus, what you DON'T say is often of equal importance with what you do say. YOU are a remarkable talent, disciplined, sincere and so knowledgeable. Brother, I am very grateful for your work.
There is no #1 rock song. There are a thousand #1’s. I really enjoyed your analysis. Love that tune and all the special elements that make up the whole stellar composition
@@BoltRM There are hundreds of 'contenders'. And on any given day, a different one will become the chosen one. We are so lucky, to have so many great recordings of the songs we have heard in our lives. no previous generations had this. We even have video of so many as well.
To me, part of the genius of this song is how the vocal line and Santana's playing seem to be a duet. There is a constant awareness of both parts rather than switching attention from one another. I can't think of another song that strikes me the same way. (I had written this and almost immediately you referred to it as a conversation!😄)
Fil-thanks for doing this one. What a great song, and great artist! I've been a Santana fan since "Black Magic Woman" in 1969. "Smooth" is just as brilliant as that masterpiece. FYI-you've got many of Carlos' licks down pat, which is not easy to do. Nice job! As you mentioned, for him, it's all about the "Groove", or rhythmic feel of the song, rather than just shredding to see how many notes you can fit in. Also-Black Magic Woman went to #1 in 1969, Smooth went to #1 in 1999, so he's do for another #1 in 2029! LOL-I hope he (and we) are still around and jamming in 2029.
I am a major fan of both of them and I love this song. Probably not number 1, though. The video gave me a bigger appreciation. Santana is fantastic and I love Rob. Thank you!
Santana oozes joy when he plays live and I love the way his guitar playing is together with the orchestra and not overwhelming the sound from the other instruments.
Agree , Santana literally talks through his guitar. My 1st album from Santana was Abraxsis, still love it to this day. He is a monster musician! Thanks Fil!
I love this song! As soon as I hear it, it makes me want to dance!💃 I might actually like the live version better than the studio mix. 🤔 The harmonies are sweet, the guitar, syncopation, horns…I mean, c’mon!! Thanks for the analysis, Fil!
Of course Carlos is a phenomenal guitarist, but this video demonstrates that he is foremost a great bandleader live. He always knows his guitar's place in a performance. Just a great musician! Thanks for another great video breakdown, Fil.
OH YEAH! 😍 Rob Thomas can sing me to sleep singing the phone book and I would love it. Haha Saw Rob (matchbox 20) in concert and you’re always on your feet. Santana wasn’t there for that performance, but I did see him with his band 3 times in 70’s - 80’s. Of course they’re both great and deserve praise for what they do, but they really blend well on Smooth. Love this analysis! Well done!
@@blakeh8582 Good genes! I get it all the time! No one believes my 34 yr old daughter isn’t my sister! My 81 Yr old mom looks in her 60’s! 🤷♀️ Thank you though! 😁
Fil, all TH-camrs should use your channel as a tutorial on how to analyze/react to great music. You give such brilliant “tidbits” of information that allows us to truly appreciate what makes a performance so unique. I have been a Santana fan since he came onto the national scene. I have heard this song more times than I can count, and it is one of my favorite tunes of all time. But, this is the first time I truly appreciated it, if that makes any sense. Thank you.
I love Carlos Santana's music because it does have Latin rhythms in it. I, also, really enjoy your analysis. The more I watch you, the more I am starting to understand what you are "saying" about the music. Thanks
Me too. My sister is an excellent rock guitarist and I'm not talented at all. But he is making me understand/see where she is musically coming from. It's like a Ph.D. in rock guitar.
Santana is a decent guitarist when he doesn't try to play too fast and start tripping up as he´s done on so many occasions, but I've never considered him to be the player that so many seem to think. I sometimes think most people wouldn't know good playing if it bit them on the ass.
Agree. There are so many songs, excellent songs, just one can’t be selected. And there’s personal biases to factor in when choosing a song, even just what mood you’re in that day. Way too many factors….
Santana still has it. Man, he’s older than me but seems decades younger! This is one of those songs I loved the first time I heard it and it never gets old.
One of my very favorite songs from Santana for sure. I remember watching Carlos at Woodstock and thinking he was going to be around for a very long time. Such a talent! I also love Rob! What a perfect combination of talent.
The percussion section definitely made a lot of difference. The combination of all of the artists was outstanding. If you look at the audience it's multigenerational. Gray hair and young people.
Rating this as the number 1 of all time rock song speakes volumes of who & how was it voted on. We all know voting is corrupt on so many levels. It's a good song but not number 1 for me. Thank you for your review.
I don’t think anyone voted on it, according to the billboard issue it appears in “As part of Billboard's celebration of the 60th anniversary of our Hot 100 chart this week, we're taking a deeper look at some of the biggest artists and singles in the chart's history. Here, we revisit the ranking's 100 biggest hits of all-time.”
Surprised they bumped Thriller for this one but all it will take is Eddie Izzard doing his rendition for a Beatles tune to finally retake the crown. Come on Eddie!!!
It technically would be the song that stayed for the longest on #1 on the charts (pop/rock/ alternative/ latin/adult contemporary,etc) ... They probably multiply the categories they put it on. 😅 It'sa cool song, not the rockest one... Just think it could be worse!
I told some friends that the bass MAKES this song, and Santana's guitar part the icing. They laughed. I brought them into my studio, put "Smooth" into my DAW, loaded up Izotope "master rebalance", pulled the bass all the way down...and they understood. Of course, having a producer's ear, I have more of an understanding of the individual parts. As a drummer, I absolutely love the drum part (along with the percussion). It definitely grooves, and the bass fits with it perfectly. It's a great song.
Just found this analysis. It’s one of your very best!👍 I loved the way you described the rhythms and the Santana riffs etc. you actually demonstrated why Smooth was such a hit. Now I know why that tune always played in my head and everyone recognizes it! Love all you do, Fil!
This is a fabulous song. The feel is infectious. There's nothing that compares with Latin and African rhythms to make you feel great. Santana is one of a handful of rock era guitarists that has an unmistakable sound. You know it's him immediately. His marriage of major an minor licks is pretty unique to him. I wish I would have written this song. Thanks for all you do!
I always love his mix of Latin and blues....he goes from melodic minor into pentatonic scales . He's one of them guitarist that you recognise instantly ...like Brian May, Peter green and many more .
There are some other guitarists ho would blow CS out the park for precesion and technicality, but CS blows them out the park for his original , historic tone and feel....which is why he is one of the true greats and they aren't.
Stairway to Heaven, Good Vibrations, Satisfaction, Won't Get Fooled Again, any number of Beatles' songs. And then about five other Santana songs and another 2,000 songs by other groups or individuals, and then, maybe "Smooth." Hell, I think "Sugar, Sugar" is a better "rock song" than "Smooth!" LOL!
I was obsessed with this album when it came out. I was always a Carlos fan and learned a lot of his songs early on in his career but my guitar playing went into limbo when I got married and had a kid. When this album/song came out I got right back into again full tilt. (I should mention I got divorced, lol) Santana is one those players that everyone can enjoy and learn from. His not about difficulty in his playing, only pure passion and feel. To me one of the best players to learn from for all levels of playing. He brought me back to enjoying playing again. Whenever I get in a rut or just stop playing, I listen to Santana and start over again. He just makes it easy to want to start up again.
Thanks for doing my favorite artist SANTANA! Such a wealth of awesome music from Carlos. His shows are so good. From his awesome guitar work, great band mates,all the way to the splendid, beautiful backdrops. Always leave with such a good feeling! Always such a diverse crowd which is testament to the draw he has. Carlos has a Universal Tone! Have seen "Smooth" performed live numerous times and I must say Rob Thomas adds a feel and excitement that can't be matched. You're Right On Again Fil. Carlos makes that guitar SING!
Fil, love your analysis and playing always, agree with a lot of comments on here that this is hardly No.1 rock song ever, yes, it has rock elements but is more a combo of rock/latin/samba vibes which of course Santana is known for, having said all that, it's still a fantastic number and yes even the missus and me rock around the lounge after a few sherbets of a Saturday night and we're pensioners to this. For me being as old FREE freak, my No.1 song off course is ALL RIGHT NOW, it would be interesting to here your favourite and your 1000's of subscribers, maybe an idea for a WINGS OF PEGASUS poll in the future. Take care buddy.
You are simply THE BEST storyteller and teacher! You know so much about and hear so much in the music, but you are able to pick out the bits that are interesting and important and explain to us (I for one know nothing @ music) without making the info dense.
Excellent analysis! I'm glad you picked up your guitar and played! Been appreciating Santana since I snuck in to see Woodstock movie while skipping school in 1970, at the Orpington Odeon. I realize having seen your demo that Santana used that off beat technique to bring that party Latin sound to many tracks. Thanks again
I recall an interview by Rob Thomas witch he said it was an honor to have work with the legendary Carlos Santana, and Carlos said nice things about working with Rob. I worked with a lady in 2005/06 who is a niece of Carlos Santana and said he a perfectionist when it come to his music and real nice guy in person.
As a locl lighting tech in San Antonio, I worked the Santana show in the sunken gardens outdoor theater in the early 90's and Carlos came over to a group of us hanging out upstage waiting for the opening act to start and chatted with us for about 30 minutes. Very nice man, no airs, no stardom, just hung out. Way cool.
How nice a guy is Carlos? He heard rumors about a bassist (or maybe a percussionist) in his band from years back. He hadn't seen or heard from this guy in years. The guy was broke and living on the street. Carlos spent a bunch of time and money to hunt him down, rescue him off the street, set him up in an apartment, etc. There was even a documentary made about it. Yeah, that's a nice guy.
On Carlso not overplaying, it reminds me of an interview he did several years ago that basically said the greats can make you feel with just one note - that if you're really good you can make impact with a single note. So despite a lot of the comments here, I agree strongly with you that his line "has a voice" in this song. Not just a voice, but he is making you here it; he is drawing your attention and making you want to listen. Not at all easy to do across a song, and especially when he's not playing super complex.
I remember this song from 1999. I have Supernatural in my music collection. I saw Carlos Santana 5 times live. Rob Thomas is great, with Matchbox Twenty, and as a solo artist, as well as a solo artist. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
I love this song, it has such an irresistible groove, but it is far too well mannered for me, personally, to classify it as a rock song. Thank you, Fil. Your analysis is always insightful. I normally don't like art being broken down and explained, but you never take the magic out of it. Much appreciated.
#1 rock song, questionable.... Santana made this song a huge hit. Kudos to Rob for his songwriting talent. Together they created a super sound; you can't listen to this without moving your shoulders, or straight out dancing! A smooth end (with a glass of smooth Chablis) to a great day! Thanks Fil✌️
@@drewpall2598 LOL!! As long as you don't step on my toes, you have the first dance! ( I've already smashed a couple of my toes walking foot first into my ottoman! OUCH😵🤪😳)
It's easy to see why this is the number 1 BILLBOARD rock song ever. It is full of energy and emotion. Makes you nearly jump out of your seat to dance. It basically has all the dance qualities of pop but with latin and rock musicianship! This is exactly what you need for Billboard ranks! There are a whole lot of high caliber pure rock songs out there from 50s 60s 70s and even a few in the eras since, but this one gets the girls dancing and excited! When this came out so much music was dark and moody, while this was upbeat. That's why it sold more! Remember, billboard is primarily sales!~
Pegasus Carlos is huge over here in the other side of the pond...we just love your excitement on these performers you highlight...brilliant and cheers man.
@@Bluesmeanie -Nope, even he is debated by the top 50 players of all time. Most players that came before him, in interviews, give it to Kareem or Wilt.
Saw Santana in '77 at the Montreal Forum. Epic, with all his early huge hits played. He's much more animated these days :) His playing is so clean with his large band always super tight. As good as it gets when seen and heard live.
I listened to AC/DC, Quiet Riot, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, and just about any heavy metal band out there since I was in elementary school. (45 years ago.) The first time I heard this on the radio in my car I drove to the store an bought the album. Santana is an artist of the highest degree and modern audiences are sadly unaware of what they are missing with most current music. The older I get the more I appreciate him.
Viva the Latin groove! Your analysis is fascinating, Fil. I love that image of accents hitting on the off-beat---when the tapping foot is off the floor! It really does make you dance! Thank you Fil❤️
OMG!! This was my husbands favorite Santana song-its really hard to choose though! He never failed to turn music on every morning at 5:30am to work out to. He had lots of Santana set in a loop to play and this song played every 5th song! Hes been gone 3 years and this video brought me right back to those mornings when I was wakened by Santanas fantastic guitar! Thank you for bringing the memory!!
Too me Santana was Gregg Rolie as much as it was Carlos Santana. His vocals, song writing and impeccable Hammond B3 organ playing are second to none. He & Neil Schon helped form the band Journey after leaving Santana
I totally agree Greg Role was the driving of early journey both Schon and Greg brought that Santana sound with them to start journey. When Jonathan Cain replaced Rolie it certainly went more commercial but in my opinion aint journey the sound of the babies it sold more but never again like Rolie
Greg was a co-founder of Santana and basically left the band, due to creative differences. He brought Neil into Santana, who at the time was actually under age and needed parental permission to work with Santana.
The feel and the groove! Exactly! You reached over to interrupt, but hesitated.😂i felt that. You just don't want to stop that groove! Great analysis fil!🌷
I can’t imagine anyone but Rob singing this! Quick story. I was playing in a pool tournament among local businesses. In Silicon Valley. My coworkers invited me because I mentioned I liked playing pool. I’m a 5’2” blonde average computer geek at HP. So I came to the first pool hall bar. But I brought my own cue. We needed up a battle of music. Our opposing team kept playing that bad to the bone song. My team realized I LOVED THIs Santana song. We won! It’s not a George Michael type of song. And I grew up with a pool table in our living room. I was the family pool shark because I was the youngest and short. I always had my own cue. I even had a stepstool to help me make my shots. But that song….. it’s like you want to move in the right way. This game was for fun. I have a real job. But I love playing pool. And that song is the best!
The band I was in in 2000 (Acoustic Internote) had the pleasure and honor of being the first pre-show band at the Santana concert in St Louis, MO in 2000. Carlos Santana sent out a representative from his trailer to let us know that he really dug our music. Thank you for the reminder!
Once again, great analysis Fil. Particularly about how Carlos throws in these extra things. I have seen him live about half a dozen times and I always said he is one of those musicians that you just have to experience live. Cool that you mentioned the double picking because as you said, I haven't heard anyone else do that type of thing. Not that it is something technically amazing, but it is imaginative as a musician. Those changes and additions just make the live shows so interesting. You never hear the exact same song twice.
Whether it's number one or not, I rank Santana amongst the worlds greatest guitar players....he makes the guitar talk and has simply got better and better over the years.
Love! I could listen to this all day. Scott and I saw Santana about 3 years ago here in Austin. I was so wishing Rob would have surprised us with this song. Thanks so much for analysis, Fil… I do dance by myself to this song. Soooo fun. And The whole thing is very sexy…
So I was playing in Italy in the early 80s. Bob Dylan and Santana were coming to Rome to play. So I took two British Girls and an American girl to the concert. They didn't know who Santana was. After Santana played I went back to the bus. I was never a Dylan fan. They came back and never shut up about Santana. I wonder what they thought years later after this song came out?
How did I miss this one. Great song, but really great analysis, Phil, with all the examples of playing you gave us. I am saving this bookmark for future reference. Thank you
I’m stunned that this is the #1 Billboard of all time…I could think of a hundred other songs that likely should have this. It’s a great song, and Santana is a great band…but #1 of all time…no disrespect, but…ummm…no….how about Freebird (Lynard Skynard), Bohemian Rhapsody, Stairway to Heaven…anything by Queen, lol. I’m actually surprised it’s not a Michael Jackson song from the Thriller album.
Rolling Stone Magazine has not even rated this song "Smooth" in it's top 100 rock songs of all time. The difference is Rolling Stones ratings are not for sale...Billboards ratings ABSOLUTELY are, and always have been. Someone paid a lot of dough to give this song this absurd and unbelievable rating. Payola is still alive and well in the music industry.
So when this song came out I was doing some work in San Juan, Puerto Rico - it was played in every bar, restaurant, laboratory (my work) constantly. There was something about the wide embrace of a heavily Latin tinged song that seemed to speak to PR and take the Latin genre feel to full popularity. I was in Cuba a year later, and ran into the same thing (bootlegged or whatever). It was a song that bridged tastes and elevated the Latin groove. Was it the #1, who knows? But such a great song to listen to, especially in a Latin crowd.
As far as the Greatest Rock song of All-Time I'd consider 1 of the following contenders... Hendrix "Voo Doo Child" or Led Zeppelin "Wholelottalove" as far as fast songs go. If we do a slow song then "Stairway To Heaven" stands alone
Holy Cow Fil I'm late to the game but reading some of these comments is making my jaw drop. First of all the word "Billboard" is the operative word here. Nobody said this is better than all those classics mentioned This ranked "Billboard's Adult Top 40 #1 1999-2000. " Billboard's next top hit for next week is projected to be Adele's "Take it Easy On Me.". Billboard has had 1330 weekly hits since 1999? It's based a lot on radio air play, online sales and streaming numbers!!!! Not personal favorites! Anyway, I'm Estactic that you analyzed this! I may have been one of several people that requested this song. So many things I love about this analysis; how Rob Thomas says the word "out" at 2:27, when you played the Am chord at 13:31 I almost thought you were going to break out in Oye Como Va, the horns and percussion at 18:24. (Yes I even took notes). And when you mentioned sub-woofers, anyone who has been in heavy traffic has heard someone's bass come from a car and it drowns out everything down the block! Carlos Santana has a Master Class you can take online and I want to take it in a few years. In the promo he says to just play from the heart. When I was younger my best friend's older brother had season tickets to a Detroit Amphitheater and he was between girlfriends so he took me to see Eric Clapton and later in the summer, Santana. Probably why they are my 2 favorite artists overall to this day. Sorry for the novelette but when I feel this passionate about something I can't seem to shut up. 😀
@@suehollar2578 I agree. Just because a song has plenty of airplay doesn't mean it's popular. I've heard many so called 'hot songs destined to no. 1', and been quite underwhelmed. Play lists are based on who has the best publicist, not popular appeal.
This isn't even the best song on the Supernatural album. My choice for best rock song ever? Easy, 1965 mind blowing radio hit Satisfaction. The opening riff still excites me 55 years later!
I just had to pause this video to binge a bunch of Matchbox 20 songs I haven't heard in more than a decade, but apparently still know all the words to. I like them even better now that I've experienced more of life. Thanks for your analyses! You help me appreciate songs/artists/genres that aren't my preference, make me appreciate artists I already liked even more, and help me remember artists and songs I used to love (and love again once I remember).
Hi Phil, I have always loved this song and I loved your break down of why it is as great as it is and perhaps why it is ranked so high on billboard. I’m just going to add my two cents in here because I used to perform this song quite me a bit emulating Rob’s vocal intonations and phrasing. Rob’s style of over enunciating his lead lines and his baritone vocal fills a location of the soundscape that is already hustled by the percussion. So, in many ways he becomes yet another addition to the already fab rhythm section. This is very important I think as you mentioned the powerful rhythm section. I see it as Carlos is almost asking the rhythm section questions in his melody and Robs voice is quite literally the voice of the rhythm section more so then the entire song. The other factor I believe that makes this song is the cross over and blending of rock and latin extending this songs reach into the massive latin market. This combo is rarely done or even tried because both markets require heavy hitters to carry their respective sides. This is the case here with Matchbox 20’s lead singer ( huge English speaking audience) integrated with Carols massive latin audience. If any song had a chance for success it was this latin / rock merger. It is a brilliant song and I thank you for the fantastic break down of the finer parts of the song that give it such lift Fantastic job as usual. Much appreciated Cheers
From S.F. Bay Area, saw Santana play numerous times. He used to stand behind the stacks so the first time we first we saw the band we thought Michael Carabello, the conga player sitting out front with big pink collars and giant Afro was him. The Santana album stopped us in our tracks at Tower records the night it was released.
I liked this song. But I don't think I've cared about Billboard for decades. They are a corporation that dictate what happens in the music industry, and it doesn't always follow and rhyme nor reason. As Fil has said, there are too many stories of musicians that were chewed up and spit out by the machine. Your playing was quite good on this analysis, and your comments about Carlos are spot on. Thanks for this and thanks for letting us know what Billboard thinks.
Everytime I hear this I just get the thrill of watching the Olympics-all the best musicians doing what they do best, being showcased in a harmonious performance!
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
TIME STAMPS -
0:39 Performance
4:05 Analysis Start
5:44 Melody is King
6:50 Setting up the Groove
10:48 Song Information
12:21 Lead Guitar, Essential Listening
17:13 Performance (Part 2)
20:24 Analysis Resumption (Lead Guitar)
First time I heard it I thought, 'He' s back!' and went out and bought the CD. Great song but not the greatest by any means. I really enjoyed your thoughts on it. Btw, I saw Professor of Rock video about Zeppelin's Kashmir a couple of days ago. He mentioned the vocals and the guitar are in different time signatures. I'd never thought about it but it is quite obvious once it's pointed out. Could you explain how that works (same piece, different time signatures) and are there other examples?
it is a good song great guitar work and vocals. BUT no 1 ever give me a break
Well, I guess I have a different definition of rock -/,,/
@@georgemodzelewski6826 Billboard rankings are based on sales not opinions. Actually this song is number two in their 2018 60th anniversary rankings behind “The Twist”
@@rizzinthebox7124 not “rock” Billboard hot 100 sales charts which include many genres.
There can never be a greatest song of all time. Not unless everyone gets to vote. Musical taste is subjective. The goat is different for most people. Time, place, and generation all influence. This is a great song, in my opinion, but not the goat. We don’t need a greatest of all time, we just need what we like.
@@pmbbmp EXACTLY! Data that is correlated with information just going back 22 years ago and not taking into consideration all ages and each generations time frames.
@@pmbbmp Correct. Which Fil mentions several times.
it is like AGT pitting singers against magicians and acrobats .
I see it because of the public's involvement! No matter how bad you think you dance or sing you want to do both! Both Carlos and Rob are professionals to the hilt!
Hmm. That's the first time I've seen the abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time (goat). At first I thought it was a typo, then I got it from the context. Hey - What's the abbreviation for abbreviation? 🙃
I have always liked Santana, but I don’t see this as being even close to being the all-time #1 song of any genre, let alone rock. Not sure how Billboard made that determination.
You can´t count on Billboard, Cream Magazine, Rolling Stone or those fukin´ idiots on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting panel, (whoever dafuque they may be). Commercial Pop and Rock music started going down the toilet in the Seventies and completed its journey to the sewers approaching the Eighties.
Yes, it's kinda like judging a movie by their Academy Awards rating, if the Awards rates it high, it proly sucks.
@@martindoran5744:
Yeah, movie critics don´t usually know their ass from a hole in the ground either. Frankly, they're pretty reliable as reverse barometers; if they hate it it´s likely worth a view. LOL! Back to music though, Ive seen a lot of good musicians right here on TH-cam over the years. A good example are those kids from the School of Rock, and I watch Mike Pachelli's guitar tutorials a lot. (later, dude)
Great song but I have to agree with ya.
My thoughts exactly! This was about as "plain brown paper bag" rock as you could get.... might as well have been a Nickleback song. Santana saved it from obscurity with his great lead licks.... but really this song has little else going for it beyond bands such as Smashmouth, Matchbox 20outof100 (ehem) or Hootie and the Blowhards.
The best reviewer I,ve ever seen. He breaks everything down both instrumentally as well as vocally and demonstrates what he reviews. Most reviewers just say great vocal and song, which I already knew. This guy teaches you why. Great reviews.
Thanks!
He is the goat of reviewers
Santana has been a true artist of the guitar since I first heard him in the 60s. From those first performances, you could hear his emotional comittment to the music. He brings the guitar to a new level - voicing, not flash. Melody, not finger gymnastics.
He works with the best musicians, because they can appreciate his virtuosity. I am forever grateful for having Santana's music in my lifetime.
Carlos, please stay well and keep playing!
He can do flash and finger gymnastics. .. but there us a lot more to Carlos Santana than that. I love his playing.
Seeing Santana live is like being at the best party of the year. His music connects with everyone.
On every commentary you offer, my understanding is expanded --in several areas and to significant depths. And, because you are ever speaking with the greatest respect for music and musicians, there is no getting bogged down in silliness or infantile ego games. Thus, what you DON'T say is often of equal importance with what you do say. YOU are a remarkable talent, disciplined, sincere and so knowledgeable. Brother, I am very grateful for your work.
There is no #1 rock song. There are a thousand #1’s. I really enjoyed your analysis. Love that tune and all the special elements that make up the whole stellar composition
I agree. But if I had to pick a #1 rock song, Johnny B Goode would be a contender 🎸
@@BoltRM There are hundreds of 'contenders'. And on any given day, a different one will become the chosen one. We are so lucky, to have so many great recordings of the songs we have heard in our lives. no previous generations had this. We even have video of so many as well.
You did a super smooth analysis here! I learned a lot!
Lynn Dow... I agree Fil always add the right touches in his analysis. 👍😊
Thanks Lynn!
Carlos Santana makes his guitar sing like a human voice, you can almost hear it pronounce words. Thanks for the video!
Yeah. The same words over and over again.
@@joeshumo9457 Well, if the words are so beautiful, why not?
To me, part of the genius of this song is how the vocal line and Santana's playing seem to be a duet. There is a constant awareness of both parts rather than switching attention from one another. I can't think of another song that strikes me the same way. (I had written this and almost immediately you referred to it as a conversation!😄)
Fil-thanks for doing this one. What a great song, and great artist! I've been a Santana fan since "Black Magic Woman" in 1969. "Smooth" is just as brilliant as that masterpiece. FYI-you've got many of Carlos' licks down pat, which is not easy to do. Nice job! As you mentioned, for him, it's all about the "Groove", or rhythmic feel of the song, rather than just shredding to see how many notes you can fit in. Also-Black Magic Woman went to #1 in 1969, Smooth went to #1 in 1999, so he's do for another #1 in 2029! LOL-I hope he (and we) are still around and jamming in 2029.
I'll take one in 2024 or 2025, please.
I am a major fan of both of them and I love this song. Probably not number 1, though. The video gave me a bigger appreciation. Santana is fantastic and I love Rob. Thank you!
Santana oozes joy when he plays live and I love the way his guitar playing is together with the orchestra and not overwhelming the sound from the other instruments.
Nailed it "Santana oozes joy when he plays ... " you can *feel this just watching a video* ... That's a great artist, a master.
@@marxjenn1 He truly is.
Great analysis Fil! I enjoyed this as much as you did. 👏
Agree , Santana literally talks through his guitar. My 1st album from Santana was Abraxsis, still love it to this day. He is a monster musician! Thanks Fil!
Absolutely he “talks” through his guitar.
Yes.... Or his guitar is allowed to speak thru him.... Either way it's always been... "smooth"!
I love this song! As soon as I hear it, it makes me want to dance!💃 I might actually like the live version better than the studio mix. 🤔 The harmonies are sweet, the guitar, syncopation, horns…I mean, c’mon!! Thanks for the analysis, Fil!
Of course Carlos is a phenomenal guitarist, but this video demonstrates that he is foremost a great bandleader live. He always knows his guitar's place in a performance. Just a great musician! Thanks for another great video breakdown, Fil.
Oh man! Who doesn't LOVE this? ! Thank you, I haven't heard this for awhile and it is just what I needed to hear today :)
OH YEAH! 😍 Rob Thomas can sing me to sleep singing the phone book and I would love it. Haha Saw Rob (matchbox 20) in concert and you’re always on your feet. Santana wasn’t there for that performance, but I did see him with his band 3 times in 70’s - 80’s. Of course they’re both great and deserve praise for what they do, but they really blend well on Smooth. Love this analysis! Well done!
Yes yes and yes
How does your pic match up with ur age?
@@blakeh8582 Good genes! I get it all the time! No one believes my 34 yr old daughter isn’t my sister! My 81 Yr old mom looks in her 60’s! 🤷♀️ Thank you though! 😁
Fil, all TH-camrs should use your channel as a tutorial on how to analyze/react to great music. You give such brilliant “tidbits” of information that allows us to truly appreciate what makes a performance so unique. I have been a Santana fan since he came onto the national scene. I have heard this song more times than I can count, and it is one of my favorite tunes of all time.
But, this is the first time I truly appreciated it, if that makes any sense. Thank you.
I love Carlos Santana's music because it does have Latin rhythms in it. I, also, really enjoy your analysis. The more I watch you, the more I am starting to understand what you are "saying" about the music. Thanks
Me too. My sister is an excellent rock guitarist and I'm not talented at all. But he is making me understand/see where she is musically coming from. It's like a Ph.D. in rock guitar.
"I'm just going to jump in here" = Awesome analysis forthcoming! That's a phrase that I've come to look forward to.
Well, it does have one huge, wish-I-could-write-'em-like-that hook. Not sure that makes it #1 rock song ever. But it's a good hook.
Santana is a decent guitarist when he doesn't try to play too fast and start tripping up as he´s done on so many occasions, but I've never considered him to be the player that so many seem to think. I sometimes think most people wouldn't know good playing if it bit them on the ass.
Agree. There are so many songs, excellent songs, just one can’t be selected. And there’s personal biases to factor in when choosing a song, even just what mood you’re in that day. Way too many factors….
Your welcome to your incorrect opinion...
Santana still has it. Man, he’s older than me but seems decades younger! This is one of those songs I loved the first time I heard it and it never gets old.
Try listening to this without tapping your foot. They could have processed Thomas' voice but left it as is. Terrific performance and analysis.
One of my very favorite songs from Santana for sure. I remember watching Carlos at Woodstock and thinking he was going to be around for a very long time. Such a talent! I also love Rob! What a perfect combination of talent.
The percussion section definitely made a lot of difference. The combination of all of the artists was outstanding. If you look at the audience it's multigenerational. Gray hair and young people.
Rating this as the number 1 of all time rock song speakes volumes of who & how was it voted on. We all know voting is corrupt on so many levels. It's a good song but not number 1 for me. Thank you for your review.
Agreed. I wouldn't even call this rock. That being said, it's a great song
I don’t think anyone voted on it, according to the billboard issue it appears in “As part of Billboard's celebration of the 60th anniversary of our Hot 100 chart this week, we're taking a deeper look at some of the biggest artists and singles in the chart's history. Here, we revisit the ranking's 100 biggest hits of all-time.”
Surprised they bumped Thriller for this one but all it will take is Eddie Izzard doing his rendition for a Beatles tune to finally retake the crown. Come on Eddie!!!
It technically would be the song that stayed for the longest on #1 on the charts (pop/rock/ alternative/ latin/adult contemporary,etc) ... They probably multiply the categories they put it on. 😅
It'sa cool song, not the rockest one... Just think it could be worse!
It’s not even close to the best Santana song.
I told some friends that the bass MAKES this song, and Santana's guitar part the icing. They laughed. I brought them into my studio, put "Smooth" into my DAW, loaded up Izotope "master rebalance", pulled the bass all the way down...and they understood.
Of course, having a producer's ear, I have more of an understanding of the individual parts.
As a drummer, I absolutely love the drum part (along with the percussion). It definitely grooves, and the bass fits with it perfectly. It's a great song.
Good way to make them see the light! 😁
Love the syncopated groove and always have loved Santana!! Woohoo!!
It's a good song. I don't know if I would call it the no 1 rock song ever? You did a good job on the analysis. Thanks Fil. Take care.
It was Carlos Santana's only #1 song, though.
Pretty fricking good song….
Interesting analysis. Thanks! (That rhythm is wild and wonderful!)
So much excitement on one stage. Thanks Fil.
Just found this analysis. It’s one of your very best!👍 I loved the way you described the rhythms and the Santana riffs etc. you actually demonstrated why Smooth was such a hit. Now I know why that tune always played in my head and everyone recognizes it! Love all you do, Fil!
Santana sure makes his guitar sing!
Also amazing performance from Thomas and the whole band!
This is a fabulous song. The feel is infectious. There's nothing that compares with Latin and African rhythms to make you feel great. Santana is one of a handful of rock era guitarists that has an unmistakable sound. You know it's him immediately. His marriage of major an minor licks is pretty unique to him. I wish I would have written this song. Thanks for all you do!
Great song…! I loved it from the time I first heard it.
Thank you, Fil! This one always takes my breath away and carries me away to somewhere new and indescribably beautiful.
I always love his mix of Latin and blues....he goes from melodic minor into pentatonic scales .
He's one of them guitarist that you recognise instantly ...like Brian May, Peter green and many more .
Fil, your analysis videos make me feel happy. Thank you!
No 1 song? Barf. Lol. But Santana's tone and touch is so other-world. Just fabulous. Perfecto.
There are some other guitarists ho would blow CS out the park for precesion and technicality, but CS blows them out the park for his original , historic tone and feel....which is why he is one of the true greats and they aren't.
You must be twelve
@shan oh shan, sorry no one loved you when you was an itty-bitty baby........waaaaaaaa
Stairway to Heaven, Good Vibrations, Satisfaction, Won't Get Fooled Again, any number of Beatles' songs. And then about five other Santana songs and another 2,000 songs by other groups or individuals, and then, maybe "Smooth." Hell, I think "Sugar, Sugar" is a better "rock song" than "Smooth!" LOL!
Seriously! Not even rock
Sugar Sugar? Ahh hell no bro.
Sugar Sugar has more balls to it than this song. Maybe the best limp rock rock song.
Yeah, Smooth is like hard rock... on a yacht. 😆
@@MsAppassionata well, Sugar Sugar was the inspiration for Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar on me, so there’s that.
I was obsessed with this album when it came out. I was always a Carlos fan and learned a lot of his songs early on in his career but my guitar playing went into limbo when I got married and had a kid. When this album/song came out I got right back into again full tilt. (I should mention I got divorced, lol) Santana is one those players that everyone can enjoy and learn from. His not about difficulty in his playing, only pure passion and feel. To me one of the best players to learn from for all levels of playing. He brought me back to enjoying playing again. Whenever I get in a rut or just stop playing, I listen to Santana and start over again. He just makes it easy to want to start up again.
Thanks for doing my favorite artist SANTANA! Such a wealth of awesome music from Carlos. His shows are so good. From his awesome guitar work, great band mates,all the way to the splendid, beautiful backdrops. Always leave with such a good feeling! Always such a diverse crowd which is testament to the draw he has. Carlos has a Universal Tone! Have seen "Smooth" performed live numerous times and I must say Rob Thomas adds a feel and excitement that can't be matched. You're Right On Again Fil. Carlos makes that guitar SING!
Fil, love your analysis and playing always, agree with a lot of comments on here that this is hardly No.1 rock song ever, yes, it has rock elements but is more a combo of rock/latin/samba vibes which of course Santana is known for, having said all that, it's still a fantastic number and yes even the missus and me rock around the lounge after a few sherbets of a Saturday night and we're pensioners to this. For me being as old FREE freak, my No.1 song off course is ALL RIGHT NOW, it would be interesting to here your favourite and your 1000's of subscribers, maybe an idea for a WINGS OF PEGASUS poll in the future. Take care buddy.
All Tight Now is a great choice 👍🏻 Keep on Rockin’ 😁
You are simply THE BEST storyteller and teacher! You know so much about and hear so much in the music, but you are able to pick out the bits that are interesting and important and explain to us (I for one know nothing @ music) without making the info dense.
Great song! Love the analysis as always !!
Fil you're the BEST!!!!
Excellent analysis! I'm glad you picked up your guitar and played! Been appreciating Santana since I snuck in to see Woodstock movie while skipping school in 1970, at the Orpington Odeon. I realize having seen your demo that Santana used that off beat technique to bring that party Latin sound to many tracks. Thanks again
Same story here, even the same year, but not the same theatre.
I recall an interview by Rob Thomas witch he said it was an honor to have work with the legendary Carlos Santana, and Carlos said nice things about working with Rob. I worked with a lady in 2005/06 who is a niece of Carlos Santana and said he a perfectionist when it come to his music and real nice guy in person.
Cool!! 👍😊
As a locl lighting tech in San Antonio, I worked the Santana show in the sunken gardens outdoor theater in the early 90's and Carlos came over to a group of us hanging out upstage waiting for the opening act to start and chatted with us for about 30 minutes. Very nice man, no airs, no stardom, just hung out. Way cool.
How nice a guy is Carlos? He heard rumors about a bassist (or maybe a percussionist) in his band from years back. He hadn't seen or heard from this guy in years. The guy was broke and living on the street. Carlos spent a bunch of time and money to hunt him down, rescue him off the street, set him up in an apartment, etc. There was even a documentary made about it. Yeah, that's a nice guy.
Wow I wouldn’t put this in the top 300, never mind best song ever. Not a bad song, but nothing special about it
On Carlso not overplaying, it reminds me of an interview he did several years ago that basically said the greats can make you feel with just one note - that if you're really good you can make impact with a single note. So despite a lot of the comments here, I agree strongly with you that his line "has a voice" in this song. Not just a voice, but he is making you here it; he is drawing your attention and making you want to listen. Not at all easy to do across a song, and especially when he's not playing super complex.
One of my favorite songs! Great analysis Fil! Love when you break out the guitar!!
Keep up the great work Fil! Your chat rooms is fun also!😎
If you gave me 1,000,000 chances I would have never guessed this tune to be the #1 rock Billboard song
I remember this song from 1999. I have Supernatural in my music collection. I saw Carlos Santana 5 times live. Rob Thomas is great, with Matchbox Twenty, and as a solo artist, as well as a solo artist. Cheers, Fil! ✌️
I love this song, it has such an irresistible groove, but it is far too well mannered for me, personally, to classify it as a rock song. Thank you, Fil. Your analysis is always insightful. I normally don't like art being broken down and explained, but you never take the magic out of it. Much appreciated.
#1 rock song, questionable.... Santana made this song a huge hit. Kudos to Rob for his songwriting talent. Together they created a super sound; you can't listen to this without moving your shoulders, or straight out dancing! A smooth end (with a glass of smooth Chablis) to a great day! Thanks Fil✌️
Hi Cindy... May I have the next dance? 💃🕺I promises not to step on your toes. 😁
@@drewpall2598 LOL!! As long as you don't step on my toes, you have the first dance! ( I've already smashed a couple of my toes walking foot first into my ottoman! OUCH😵🤪😳)
@@cindypowers4993 awe! just reading that make me goes Ouch! ❤✌😊
I'm sure Peter Green and family is grateful for Santana covering it.
It's easy to see why this is the number 1 BILLBOARD rock song ever. It is full of energy and emotion. Makes you nearly jump out of your seat to dance. It basically has all the dance qualities of pop but with latin and rock musicianship! This is exactly what you need for Billboard ranks! There are a whole lot of high caliber pure rock songs out there from 50s 60s 70s and even a few in the eras since, but this one gets the girls dancing and excited! When this came out so much music was dark and moody, while this was upbeat. That's why it sold more! Remember, billboard is primarily sales!~
Pegasus Carlos is huge over here in the other side of the pond...we just love your excitement on these performers you highlight...brilliant and cheers man.
This is the problem with G.O.A.T. Genre, who's evaluating, era, cultural bias, and the list goes on; it's pointless to pick a greatest anything.
Except for Michael Jordan ... 😉
@@Bluesmeanie -Nope, even he is debated by the top 50 players of all time. Most players that came before him, in interviews, give it to Kareem or Wilt.
@@wordragon notice the emoji at the end of my comment.
This is my pick me up song for when I feel down. It lifts me up. ❤️
Saw Santana in '77 at the Montreal Forum. Epic, with all his early huge hits played. He's much more animated these days :) His playing is so clean with his large band always super tight. As good as it gets when seen and heard live.
My favorite live video - I wish I could have been there. I love how your face shows your enjoyment and appreciation of the performance.
I listened to AC/DC, Quiet Riot, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, and just about any heavy metal band out there since I was in elementary school. (45 years ago.) The first time I heard this on the radio in my car I drove to the store an bought the album. Santana is an artist of the highest degree and modern audiences are sadly unaware of what they are missing with most current music. The older I get the more I appreciate him.
Viva the Latin groove!
Your analysis is fascinating, Fil. I love that image of accents hitting on the off-beat---when the tapping foot is off the floor! It really does make you dance!
Thank you Fil❤️
Hi Konstantia! It was VERY bouncy! ...and fun to understand the nuts and bolts of bouncy for me!
@@lynndow3185
Oh yes, Lynn! That's it---Fil gives us the nuts and bolts of bouncy. Love that! ❤️
I've heard of Santana - but have never heard this song. Best rock song ever - I doubt it. But to each his own and they didn't ask me.
OMG!! This was my husbands favorite Santana song-its really hard to choose though!
He never failed to turn music on every morning at 5:30am to work out to. He had lots of Santana set in a loop to play and this song played every 5th song!
Hes been gone 3 years and this video brought me right back to those mornings when I was wakened by Santanas fantastic guitar!
Thank you for bringing the memory!!
Too me Santana was Gregg Rolie as much as it was Carlos Santana. His vocals, song writing and impeccable Hammond B3 organ playing are second to none. He & Neil Schon helped form the band Journey after leaving Santana
Couldn't agree more!!
Criminally underappreciated.
I totally agree Greg Role was the driving of early journey both Schon and Greg brought that Santana sound with them to start journey. When Jonathan Cain replaced Rolie it certainly went more commercial but in my opinion aint journey the sound of the babies it sold more but never again like Rolie
Greg was a co-founder of Santana and basically left the band, due to creative differences. He brought Neil into Santana, who at the time was actually under age and needed parental permission to work with Santana.
Definitely.
The feel and the groove! Exactly! You reached over to interrupt, but hesitated.😂i felt that. You just don't want to stop that groove! Great analysis fil!🌷
I can’t imagine anyone but Rob singing this!
Quick story. I was playing in a pool tournament among local businesses. In Silicon Valley. My coworkers invited me because I mentioned I liked playing pool. I’m a 5’2” blonde average computer geek at HP. So I came to the first pool hall bar. But I brought my own cue. We needed up a battle of music. Our opposing team kept playing that bad to the bone song. My team realized I LOVED THIs Santana song.
We won!
It’s not a George Michael type of song.
And I grew up with a pool table in our living room. I was the family pool shark because I was the youngest and short. I always had my own cue. I even had a stepstool to help me make my shots. But that song….. it’s like you want to move in the right way. This game was for fun. I have a real job. But I love playing pool. And that song is the best!
What does George Michael have to do with anything here? Really odd.
The band I was in in 2000 (Acoustic Internote) had the pleasure and honor of being the first pre-show band at the Santana concert in St Louis, MO in 2000. Carlos Santana sent out a representative from his trailer to let us know that he really dug our music. Thank you for the reminder!
even Fil couldn't pause the video, it's such a great song... 😉
Once again, great analysis Fil. Particularly about how Carlos throws in these extra things. I have seen him live about half a dozen times and I always said he is one of those musicians that you just have to experience live. Cool that you mentioned the double picking because as you said, I haven't heard anyone else do that type of thing. Not that it is something technically amazing, but it is imaginative as a musician. Those changes and additions just make the live shows so interesting. You never hear the exact same song twice.
Whether it's number one or not, I rank Santana amongst the worlds greatest guitar players....he makes the guitar talk and has simply got better and better over the years.
Love! I could listen to this all day. Scott and I saw Santana about 3 years ago here in Austin. I was so wishing Rob would have surprised us with this song. Thanks so much for analysis, Fil… I do dance by myself to this song. Soooo fun. And The whole thing is very sexy…
So I was playing in Italy in the early 80s. Bob Dylan and Santana were coming to Rome to play. So I took two British Girls and an American girl to the concert. They didn't know who Santana was. After Santana played I went back to the bus. I was never a Dylan fan. They came back and never shut up about Santana. I wonder what they thought years later after this song came out?
How did I miss this one. Great song, but really great analysis, Phil, with all the examples of playing you gave us. I am saving this bookmark for future reference. Thank you
I’m stunned that this is the #1 Billboard of all time…I could think of a hundred other songs that likely should have this. It’s a great song, and Santana is a great band…but #1 of all time…no disrespect, but…ummm…no….how about Freebird (Lynard Skynard), Bohemian Rhapsody, Stairway to Heaven…anything by Queen, lol. I’m actually surprised it’s not a Michael Jackson song from the Thriller album.
It's based on record sales. More people bought this song then the other ones.
Love your in-depth analysis and your musical illustration of this song’s construct-it’s one of my very favorite songs too!
Rolling Stone Magazine has not even rated this song "Smooth" in it's top 100 rock songs of all time. The difference is Rolling Stones ratings are not for sale...Billboards ratings ABSOLUTELY are, and always have been.
Someone paid a lot of dough to give this song this absurd and unbelievable rating.
Payola is still alive and well in the music industry.
Just love watching your videos. I learn so much each time, I am in music class with a star. Lol
Your smile is amazing, it can light up the whole room!
Santana wrote the song to get the label off his back for more record sales. He di Smooth then went back to the music he wanted to make.
Thanks so much for going over this song! Always love having your explanation of what the musicians are doing that make a song so enjoyable
So when this song came out I was doing some work in San Juan, Puerto Rico - it was played in every bar, restaurant, laboratory (my work) constantly. There was something about the wide embrace of a heavily Latin tinged song that seemed to speak to PR and take the Latin genre feel to full popularity. I was in Cuba a year later, and ran into the same thing (bootlegged or whatever). It was a song that bridged tastes and elevated the Latin groove. Was it the #1, who knows? But such a great song to listen to, especially in a Latin crowd.
Great analysis of this wonderful song . Great job Fil.
As far as the Greatest Rock song of All-Time I'd consider 1 of the following contenders... Hendrix "Voo Doo Child" or Led Zeppelin "Wholelottalove" as far as fast songs go. If we do a slow song then "Stairway To Heaven" stands alone
The Angelique Kidjo/Buddy Guy version of Voodoo Chile from Lightning In A Bottle is raw sex.
Holy Cow Fil I'm late to the game but reading some of these comments is making my jaw drop. First of all the word "Billboard" is the operative word here. Nobody said this is better than all those classics mentioned This ranked "Billboard's Adult Top 40 #1 1999-2000. " Billboard's next top hit for next week is projected to be Adele's "Take it Easy On Me.". Billboard has had 1330 weekly hits since 1999? It's based a lot on radio air play, online sales and streaming numbers!!!! Not personal favorites!
Anyway, I'm Estactic that you analyzed this! I may have been one of several people that requested this song. So many things I love about this analysis; how Rob Thomas says the word "out" at 2:27, when you played the Am chord at 13:31 I almost thought you were going to break out in Oye Como Va, the horns and percussion at 18:24. (Yes I even took notes). And when you mentioned sub-woofers, anyone who has been in heavy traffic has heard someone's bass come from a car and it drowns out everything down the block! Carlos Santana has a Master Class you can take online and I want to take it in a few years. In the promo he says to just play from the heart. When I was younger my best friend's older brother had season tickets to a Detroit Amphitheater and he was between girlfriends so he took me to see Eric Clapton and later in the summer, Santana. Probably why they are my 2 favorite artists overall to this day. Sorry for the novelette but when I feel this passionate about something I can't seem to shut up. 😀
@@suehollar2578 I agree. Just because a song has plenty of airplay doesn't mean it's popular. I've heard many so called 'hot songs destined to no. 1', and been quite underwhelmed. Play lists are based on who has the best publicist, not popular appeal.
This isn't even the best song on the Supernatural album. My choice for best rock song ever? Easy, 1965 mind blowing radio hit Satisfaction. The opening riff still excites me 55 years later!
I just had to pause this video to binge a bunch of Matchbox 20 songs I haven't heard in more than a decade, but apparently still know all the words to. I like them even better now that I've experienced more of life.
Thanks for your analyses! You help me appreciate songs/artists/genres that aren't my preference, make me appreciate artists I already liked even more, and help me remember artists and songs I used to love (and love again once I remember).
Thomas as a lead is pretty thin. The vocal only kicks when the tracking vocals come in. Otherwise this is a tasty Latin flavoured tequila shot!
yes
Really good to hear you play a bit on this one. I'm leaning how to play bass, your comments on this song are super helpful!
Hi Phil, I have always loved this song and I loved your break down of why it is as great as it is and perhaps why it is ranked so high on billboard.
I’m just going to add my two cents in here because I used to perform this song quite me a bit emulating Rob’s vocal intonations and phrasing. Rob’s style of over enunciating his lead lines and his baritone vocal fills a location of the soundscape that is already hustled by the percussion. So, in many ways he becomes yet another addition to the already fab rhythm section.
This is very important I think as you mentioned the powerful rhythm section. I see it as Carlos is almost asking the rhythm section questions in his melody and Robs voice is quite literally the voice of the rhythm section more so then the entire song.
The other factor I believe that makes this song is the cross over and blending of rock and latin extending this songs reach into the massive latin market. This combo is rarely done or even tried because both markets require heavy hitters to carry their respective sides. This is the case here with Matchbox 20’s lead singer ( huge English speaking audience) integrated with Carols massive latin audience. If any song had a chance for success it was this latin / rock merger.
It is a brilliant song and I thank you for the fantastic break down of the finer parts of the song that give it such lift
Fantastic job as usual. Much appreciated
Cheers
Thanks Fil! Great analysis break down.....always loved the song, never knew why
All music a person likes alot is the Best.
From S.F. Bay Area, saw Santana play numerous times. He used to stand behind the stacks so the first time we first we saw the band we thought Michael Carabello, the conga player sitting out front with big pink collars and giant Afro was him.
The Santana album stopped us in our tracks at Tower records the night it was released.
LOL, c'mon Fil, you're trolling us! I wouldn't even put this song in my top ten of Santana's songs, as much as I love him.
It's the USA Billboards chart No.1!
I love Santana! Its always been hard to put into words, I think you did an excellent job describing how it sticks in your head,
I liked this song. But I don't think I've cared about Billboard for decades. They are a corporation that dictate what happens in the music industry, and it doesn't always follow and rhyme nor reason. As Fil has said, there are too many stories of musicians that were chewed up and spit out by the machine.
Your playing was quite good on this analysis, and your comments about Carlos are spot on.
Thanks for this and thanks for letting us know what Billboard thinks.
Everytime I hear this I just get the thrill of watching the Olympics-all the best musicians doing what they do best, being showcased in a harmonious performance!