This music was a little before I was around so you very lucky and fortunate to hear it fresh. Seems Lake Rob Thomas was at the top of his song writing game around 3 to 4 years In a row give or take. Carlos Santana wanted Rob Thomas to write the lyrics. He never had any intention for Rob Thomas to be the vocalist. Carlos Said he was thinking of so one more like a George Michael type voice for the track. Rob Thomas asked Carlos to just listen Give him a chance and just listen. I thought there was a cool story and a cool interview were Carlos talked on This. At the end of the day Rob Thomas was only supposed to write the lyrics but Carlos Never planned on Thomas Singing this track. At matching this to a few people and showed them a couple interviews where Carlos mentions this. Most people find it hard to even comprehend anyone Doing the vocals other than Rob Thomas. People can't even imagine a George Michael or that type of caliber singer doin this track
@@choice12ozborne the summer this dropped the entire world was listening to it lol literally all people from all demos had this banging in the car….this were the days
Great reaction, with the exception that Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 were "unknown" prior to this single being released. They were huge, with several platinum albums in the late 90s, and Rob Thomas was quite well-established as a singer and songwriter. I thought this collaboration with Carlos Santana was Rob Thomas' crowning achievement though!
Seconding this. Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 were already huge. Look at the chart history of their debut album "Yourself or Someone Like You". Push, 3am, Long Day, Real World, etc. They even had their own controversy regarding the lyrics to Push.
In 1997/98 you couldn't turn on the radio or MTV without hearing Matchbox20 every 15 minutes. They had like 5 songs popular at the same time. Those first 2 albums were really good and they still hold up. I played "Yourself or someone like you" album again recently and there's not a bad track on it.
@@marcomoncada352 Okay? And? Las Vegas has some of the biggest casinos in the world. Doesn't stop it from having prostitutes and hookers. What an ignorant comment from you, your comment says much more about you than other people.
Rob Thomas is such a great singer. I went to his concert two months ago in Arizona and he's also one of the most down to earth artists out there he stayed for a long time after the show taking pictures with the fans, also he sounds exactly as the record. Btw, he's coming back with matchbox twenty next year. 😊
Matchbox had a multi platinum album and several top 40 hits with their debut album. So pretty unfair to say he was unknown: BUT it is fair to say that this song didn’t let people forget about Rob and his band. So it was a great lead into the release of their second album This was also the first song that Rob wrote that wasn’t for Matchbox. He had people lined up to write with him after this That being said... I do love that you take the time to research some of the things you review ahead of time and get peoples influences Good luck with the move back to Scotland
Beth, I hope you don't mind, but I watch your videos mainly to listen to your accent. It's very soothing and calming. Your voice analysis is very interesting too, though I don't sing lol. You're the best vocal analyzer in the business!
Great song... one of my fave combo's of Carlos. Carlos and Michelle Branch (one of the handful of singers with perfect pitch) singing the Game of Love is a great reaction video.
I know nothing about singing, but watching your videos gives me a much deeper appreciation for songs I already love. I also get to find some gems I had not heard before. I love it. Keep up the awesome work!
i actually already knew matchbox twenty and liked it before this came out. A good amount of people from school knew the band also, when i saw this song i was like hell yea i like them both and i loved the song quick. what i think is, most people maybe didnt know his actual name and just knew the band before this song.
I saw Matchbox20 in 1996 too in Greenville, SC and was blown away. Small venue, maybe 300 people max. Wasn't even a fan then, just went with a girl on a date. Then a few months later they had like 5 songs on the radio at the same time. Still one of best concerts I ever saw.
You have to watch the video of them doing this in a street in Spanish Harlem, where the neighborhood comes out and jams and dances in the street with them 💙💙🎶
Yeah! I have memories too... With just one second you can realize is Santana plying, a sound so bright, happy and deep at the same time. Greetings from the other side of the world.
This song and Rob Thomas are incredible. If you haven't seen or heard it before you should react to Rob Thomas and Daryl Hall singing I Heard It Through The Grapevine
From wiki... "The album sold several million copies in the U.S and was certified Diamond, and it was also certified multi-platinum in Australia, Canada and New Zealand." Then, Rob went and did Smooth.
Just a heads up, Matchbox 20's Yourself or Someone Like You album was released in 1996 and was already over 7x platinum or so by the time smooth came out 3 years later... Maybe they never made it big in England I don't know but they were all over MTV and the radio in the USA.
Santana has been a great name in music since the 60's. My dad always hummed "black magic woman" as he would cook during his school breaks when he went back to college. He took over the home duties and worked on the mowers and cars while mom just worked her 8 hour shifts. He really spoiled us all. Taught my sister to knit and play a recorder and I changed mom's clutch in her mustang without any physical help. Just hints and advice from him.
Santana has been my favorite artist since the early 70's and have seen him live more times than I can say and have seen this song performed with numerous singers. Nobody can seem to add the fire to it like Rob Thomas.
So many memories of late night cruises in summer. Everyone meeting up to grab more beer and the girls all dancing. Ending the nights at daybreak and a few drag races. I still hold the record almost 20 years later. God I would go right back there for another go at the easier days
Guy is magical - saw him with Matchbox 20 in a bar way before they “hit” and his mom busted us and a friend of mine smoking a joint outside of the bar.
So me and a group of friends were traveling around Europe about the time Matchbox 20 was hitting. We would hear song after song from the album on the radio. One of the girls in the group commented about buying the album and we all agreed that it was great. Fast forward a few months and I am headed back to work after a business trip. A coworker and mutual of the girl friend told me she had died. I thought it was a terrible joke. Unfortunately it wasn’t. She died in her sleep of some sort of undiagnosed heart problem. When I last saw her she was young, beautiful and so full of life. She was just a bubbly person that we all gravitated toward. When I hear this band I am reminded of her and our adventures.
Never realized how low this song was for him, yet it fits the song perfect. Saw him a few years ago and hasn’t lost an ounce of energy. Same can’t be said for Adam Duritz…
Fun story from my university days... We played this song to my friend's roommate who never heard of Santana...and she said: Awww, Santana is so cute, I just don't understand why he needs that grandpa! xD We tried not to laugh too hard, but we couldn't help ourselves!
A nice contrast to the last one begging for someone to love you. #Oh boohoo, please I can't make you love me if you don't. In this case #Give me your heart, make it real, or else forget about it 😘😎✌️😏
I listen to another Englishwoman, Mary Spender, who interviewed Santana last year. His understanding of what music is about was enlightening in their short interview. She is on TH-cam by her name. She is a singer songwriter and guitarist.
I think it's interesting, you mentioned something about Rob using techniques singers wouldn't normally use during certain parts/notes, but I don't think the song would have the same feel if he sang it any other way. I hope I made sense there, I'm not a singer or musically inclined in any way. I just know what I like and learn from reaction videos. Being mostly deaf, I don't pick up on things while listening to music, so I appreciate when things are pointed out and discussed that I would normally miss. Thanks for a great video!
Love this track my dad used to play the album supernatural that this song is from in the car all the time such nostalgia Santana is a bad arse guitarist
I was not expecting this! Fantastic! I had no idea he sounded so great live. Thank you so much for taking a look at this. Can I request something from LP? Like "Lost on You" or "Muddy Waters", both have Live Session versions!
They’re doing this song faster than the recorded version. Btw, Rob Thomas was homeless, when he got signed with Matchbox 20. I drove the producers daughter, who told me this, but I’m sure this information is on the internet.
This Live version is my favorite of this song, So relaxed yet so much energy and emotion from this Live version. The original video version of Smooth was ok but it was more rehearsed and set up for a music video. Carlos Santana is one of my favorite guitarists also and he's not a spring Chicken anymore but to play with such emotion and energy at his age is fantastic.
I love you Beth, but Matchbox Twenty was a legit hit band years before smooth. My band was doing a cover of 3AM before Smooth ever came out! Great analysis though.
Rob was in a group called Tabitha's Secret in Florida which had some local radio play. Rob wrote 3 AM while with this first band. They split up and Rob brought it with him to his new band MB20. Unfortunately for Rob, he didn't understand the publishing rights for songwriters and he mistakenly split them equally with his Tabitha's Secret bandmates. They all got rich off a song they really had nothing to do with. The song still plays today. Every play means money for the songwriters.
I'd never heard of Rob before this, but LOVE this song with it's incredible Latin vibe. IF so could dance I would be doing it now. Not heard this live version but really enjoyed it - 'Just forget m'bout it! '
I believe he grew up in South Carolina. Fan of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. He moved to Orlando and started the band Tabitha's Secret. Good songs but lousy band.
Matchbox twenty dates 1995 (origin) their first album was "Yourself or someone like you" (1996), Smooth is from 1999. Matchbox twenty had a lot of success before this collaboration with Santana. Real Word, Long Day, 3 AM, Push, Back to Good, If You are Gone, Mad Season, Bent, Feel, Disease, Bright Lights, Unwell, How Far We've Come, This is how a Heart Breaks, Lonely no More, just to name some.
I have been a fan of Santana since I was a kid in the late 60's, and my father owning their 1st 5 albums on 8-Track tapes. THIS comment is definitely true on LA "Hit" radio stations that I had to listen to at work, and various public places :p.
Matchbox Twenty was plenty big before this song. Yourself or someone like you is a top 50 selling album of all time and came out 3-4 years before this.
I was definitely dancing along with you! Haha Also am I the only one who thought when Rob was singing “or else forget about it” it sounded like he was actually pronouncing it “forgetem bout it”? Just another unique Rob Thomas flair. Such a good song & performance!
Hi Beth, So I'm an old school fan of Santana, as this and The Beatles in the late 60's is what I grew-up on, since my late-Father weaned me on Rock music. He owned the 1st 5 albums on "8-Track Tapes", and we heard them on every trip in my Papa's 67 Mustang Fastback. It's a MUST (I'm not sure you have yet...) that you hear the early era with "Gregg Rolie" on lead vocals and keys (he also co-founded Journey with guitarist Neal Schon who was 18 when he joined Santana as well). Since its Latin/African based, most of their music makes you want to dance, even you have 2 left feet like I do :p. But they were a staple at family parties, with all the other older Latin singers you've been featuring. But all these guys were extremely virtuosic musicians, no matter what line-up throughout the 70's and 80's. Try tracks (Live or in-studio): Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen Everybody's Everything Hope you're feeling better Evil Ways - I hope you do more Progressive Rock and Prog Metal soon Beth :).
I got to see Carlos once, at the Amp in Tampa. Rob wasn't there. I have seen literally hundreds of guitarists; none can compare. His fusion of Spanish, blues and rock is amazing!:)
Hi Beth!! The article I read, very interesting by the way, mentioned Santana not having much of a hit in the last few years. One day Santa had this casual meeting on the East coast as I recall, with a very good friend who was part of his group years before around the time of hits like "Black Magic Women" in a capacity as a producer or something like that. This friend wasn't doing much and suggested they get together again. Beyond that I don't remember how "Smooth" came together and unfortunately I didn't save the article. I mention this because the title of the article was how "Smooth became the second largest selling single ever". I love Santana but had never heard "Smooth" before.
I have to object to the "Matchbox20 wasn't really known until this song made Rob popular". They had success as a band since the mid 90s (that's how long they have been a favorite band of mine) "Mad Season" was a fantastic album and out years before this song.
Are you sure about this album kickstarting the careers of both Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20? Because I remember having listened to MB20 before I bought this album. I remember Push being on heavy rotation on the radio as well as 3 a.m before Supernatural even came out. I've bought the album without having listened to a single song partly because it featured Rob Thomas, Everlast, Eagle-Eye Cherry and Eric Clapton. But maybe the release timeline for Germany differs from the one for UK. Anyway, great song, and you're certainly are right that it has stood the test of time. Sounds as fresh as it did back then - or when it comes to Carlos Santana's playing roughly the same as it did in the 70s ;) That's one of the things I both like and despise about Carlos Santana, his playing can be summarised as "Santana doing Santana stuff" (to quote a German critic regarding the Supernatural album). Very distinct but also very repetitive. I think Rob Thomas' singing style works well together with the latino rhythm and Santana's style of playing as it does give a nice contract as it's a bit more "pop rock" than latino. I think that's one thing that makes this song very interesting, just like the blue notes makes Blues and Jazz more interesting and more emotional. It fits well but it somehow doesn't which creates a slight tension for the listener.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Rob's voice goes so well with Santana's style that it's intoxicating
This music was a little before I was around so you very lucky and fortunate to hear it fresh. Seems Lake Rob Thomas was at the top of his song writing game around 3 to 4 years In a row give or take. Carlos Santana wanted Rob Thomas to write the lyrics. He never had any intention for Rob Thomas to be the vocalist. Carlos Said he was thinking of so one more like a George Michael type voice for the track. Rob Thomas asked Carlos to just listen Give him a chance and just listen. I thought there was a cool story and a cool interview were Carlos talked on This. At the end of the day Rob Thomas was only supposed to write the lyrics but Carlos Never planned on Thomas Singing this track. At matching this to a few people and showed them a couple interviews where Carlos mentions this. Most people find it hard to even comprehend anyone Doing the vocals other than Rob Thomas. People can't even imagine a George Michael or that type of caliber singer doin this track
@@choice12ozborne the summer this dropped the entire world was listening to it lol literally all people from all demos had this banging in the car….this were the days
Great reaction, with the exception that Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 were "unknown" prior to this single being released. They were huge, with several platinum albums in the late 90s, and Rob Thomas was quite well-established as a singer and songwriter. I thought this collaboration with Carlos Santana was Rob Thomas' crowning achievement though!
Yeah, they were already huge! They’d only released one album up to this point, though
Seconding this. Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 were already huge. Look at the chart history of their debut album "Yourself or Someone Like You". Push, 3am, Long Day, Real World, etc. They even had their own controversy regarding the lyrics to Push.
"Yourself or someone like you" was an absolute GEM of an album ... every song is fantastic!
Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 was huge before this song came out -- very well known and famous -- lots of hits
Ahhhh. Carlos Santana has that signature sound. You’ll always know it’s him playing the guitar. ❤️❤️
Hey! Check out my latest reaction of Faith Hill and Carlos Santana: th-cam.com/video/nZR6Htqd0RU/w-d-xo.html
Matchbox 20 were huge in the States before this came out. Yourself or Someone like you hit no 5 in the US Billboard chart.
So I'm not the only one remembering it differently ;) They were pretty well established here in Germany as well
In 1997/98 you couldn't turn on the radio or MTV without hearing Matchbox20 every 15 minutes. They had like 5 songs popular at the same time. Those first 2 albums were really good and they still hold up. I played "Yourself or someone like you" album again recently and there's not a bad track on it.
Yeah, that's pretty much the same for here in New Zealand. They were already a well established band before this song came out.
Yes, I worked at a music store at the time, they were huge, that's why he was on this album.
Same
What I love is that it flows throughout. Never misses a beat. Perfect rythym. Smooth is the perfect name for it.
Besides Carlos' amazing playing; Rob's pronunciation style (?) is what makes this song unique and great!!
In the original video, the woman dancing in front of Carlos was Rob's wife :)
You mean the film clip?
The girl in the blue top, not the white top one.
Is...
It's been said that Carlos learned his signature style as a 17 year old playing music in the brothels of Tijuana Mexico.
@Art Thanks for the additional info.
What an ignorant comment about hooker's and donkeys, Tijuana is so much more, your comments say more of you than anything else., Sad comment.
@Naturally Art wayittattune
@@marcomoncada352 Okay? And? Las Vegas has some of the biggest casinos in the world. Doesn't stop it from having prostitutes and hookers.
What an ignorant comment from you, your comment says much more about you than other people.
Rob Thomas is such a great singer. I went to his concert two months ago in Arizona and he's also one of the most down to earth artists out there he stayed for a long time after the show taking pictures with the fans, also he sounds exactly as the record. Btw, he's coming back with matchbox twenty next year. 😊
Awesome ☺
I hope God listens to you. We need more hit singles from people that can sing without auto-tune and dramatic stage effects.
@reconz 82299 I'd love to hear her reaction to "Downfall". Rob is bodacious singing that song.
This song will never go out of style. The video will be watched for ages....its well....smooth
Matchbox had a multi platinum album and several top 40 hits with their debut album.
So pretty unfair to say he was unknown:
BUT it is fair to say that this song didn’t let people forget about Rob and his band. So it was a great lead into the release of their second album
This was also the first song that Rob wrote that wasn’t for Matchbox. He had people lined up to write with him after this
That being said... I do love that you take the time to research some of the things you review ahead of time and get peoples influences
Good luck with the move back to Scotland
Amazingly after a long and storied career working with Rob gave Carlos his first #1 record.
Beth, I hope you don't mind, but I watch your videos mainly to listen to your accent. It's very soothing and calming. Your voice analysis is very interesting too, though I don't sing lol. You're the best vocal analyzer in the business!
What he said !
That and her bubbly personality.
Least we forgot the red hair
Let's just say it... She's beautiful!
@@jeffreymorris5815 agreed
Great song... one of my fave combo's of Carlos.
Carlos and Michelle Branch (one of the handful of singers with perfect pitch) singing the Game of Love is a great reaction video.
I know nothing about singing, but watching your videos gives me a much deeper appreciation for songs I already love. I also get to find some gems I had not heard before. I love it. Keep up the awesome work!
Such an awesome, Awesome, song...sheer brilliance!!
Carlos is the bomb! and this song is great. So fun that you reacted to this,
One of my faves! Carlos playing guitar w/ Rob Thomas singing is the perfect match.
No matchbox 20 was big in the US 2 or 3 yrs before this. Maybe big where you live after this.
What a great song, you're right, it's one of those timeless tracks that reaches across genres.
I absolutely love Rob Thomas' style
i actually already knew matchbox twenty and liked it before this came out. A good amount of people from school knew the band also, when i saw this song i was like hell yea i like them both and i loved the song quick. what i think is, most people maybe didnt know his actual name and just knew the band before this song.
I saw Matchbox 20 in 1996 on their first tour and was I think everyone was surprised at just how good they were.
I saw Matchbox20 in 1996 too in Greenville, SC and was blown away. Small venue, maybe 300 people max. Wasn't even a fan then, just went with a girl on a date. Then a few months later they had like 5 songs on the radio at the same time. Still one of best concerts I ever saw.
I've seen MB20 and Rob Thomas solo many times. They are an amazing live band. Instrumentation and vocals. And Rob is quite funny.
You have to watch the video of them doing this in a street in Spanish Harlem, where the neighborhood comes out and jams and dances in the street with them 💙💙🎶
Yeah! I have memories too... With just one second you can realize is Santana plying, a sound so bright, happy and deep at the same time. Greetings from the other side of the world.
I wake up to this song every morning, It makes me get out of bed dancing, love it 💕
This song and Rob Thomas are incredible. If you haven't seen or heard it before you should react to Rob Thomas and Daryl Hall singing I Heard It Through The Grapevine
I like Mana and Santana in “Corazón Espinado".
Uh yeah...no. Matchbox Twenty was huge in the US way before this song came out.
agreed completely, i don't know where shes getting her information but she is wrong on that one.
That's what I thought!
From wiki... "The album sold several million copies in the U.S and was certified Diamond, and it was also certified multi-platinum in Australia, Canada and New Zealand." Then, Rob went and did Smooth.
@@captainKbobkeeshan If you're gone was huge long before this and it was released in 2000! Still my favorite!
Oh yeah!!! The whole Supernatural Record was a master piece thanks you Beth another Mexican legend and Rob Just the cherry on the top 🙏
Just a heads up, Matchbox 20's Yourself or Someone Like You album was released in 1996 and was already over 7x platinum or so by the time smooth came out 3 years later... Maybe they never made it big in England I don't know but they were all over MTV and the radio in the USA.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Rob makes it interesting and sexy. Never would have imagined him singing a latin flavored song, but it was fate.
Santana has been a great name in music since the 60's. My dad always hummed "black magic woman" as he would cook during his school breaks when he went back to college. He took over the home duties and worked on the mowers and cars while mom just worked her 8 hour shifts. He really spoiled us all. Taught my sister to knit and play a recorder and I changed mom's clutch in her mustang without any physical help. Just hints and advice from him.
Yes!!!! Rob Thomas 😍😍
He is yummy💟
Actually Push and 3am were huge Matchbox songs that were out before this song. He was a big deal for about a year before this.
Santana has been my favorite artist since the early 70's and have seen him live more times than I can say and have seen this song performed with numerous singers. Nobody can seem to add the fire to it like Rob Thomas.
So many memories of late night cruises in summer. Everyone meeting up to grab more beer and the girls all dancing. Ending the nights at daybreak and a few drag races. I still hold the record almost 20 years later. God I would go right back there for another go at the easier days
Guy is magical - saw him with Matchbox 20 in a bar way before they “hit” and his mom busted us and a friend of mine smoking a joint outside of the bar.
So me and a group of friends were traveling around Europe about the time Matchbox 20 was hitting. We would hear song after song from the album on the radio. One of the girls in the group commented about buying the album and we all agreed that it was great. Fast forward a few months and I am headed back to work after a business trip. A coworker and mutual of the girl friend told me she had died. I thought it was a terrible joke. Unfortunately it wasn’t. She died in her sleep of some sort of undiagnosed heart problem. When I last saw her she was young, beautiful and so full of life. She was just a bubbly person that we all gravitated toward. When I hear this band I am reminded of her and our adventures.
Never realized how low this song was for him, yet it fits the song perfect. Saw him a few years ago and hasn’t lost an ounce of energy. Same can’t be said for Adam Duritz…
Love Rob Thomas and Matchbox20. Pls react to one of his own songs or an M20 song. They have a lot of good ones.
Unwell
This song is perfect...sexy and emotional. And in general lets just say that both rob and carlos are both profound collaborators.
I love how Thomas doesn't try to keep up with the band in his vocals. Perfect complement to the amazing instrumentation.
Fun story from my university days... We played this song to my friend's roommate who never heard of Santana...and she said: Awww, Santana is so cute, I just don't understand why he needs that grandpa! xD We tried not to laugh too hard, but we couldn't help ourselves!
🤦😭😱
Going to have to correct you....Their first album came out in 1996 and had 5 hits on it. THEN he did smooth with Carlos.
So glad you picked the best version.
Wow! Thank you, Beth, for this one. You are amazing and this song always gives me the chills.
Yeah, this upload is amazing, have a great day Beth!
This song brings me back to a relationship and a girl that I loved so much, good memories...
A nice contrast to the last one begging for someone to love you. #Oh boohoo, please I can't make you love me if you don't. In this case #Give me your heart, make it real, or else forget about it 😘😎✌️😏
Yourself or Someone Like You was my favorite cd for ages.
The same for me
I love all MB20 CD, and the earlier Rob Thomas solo CDS
That crowd is absolutely jumping for this song. Even the top floor were on their feet dancing.
I listen to another Englishwoman, Mary Spender, who interviewed Santana last year. His understanding of what music is about was enlightening in their short interview. She is on TH-cam by her name. She is a singer songwriter and guitarist.
I think it's interesting, you mentioned something about Rob using techniques singers wouldn't normally use during certain parts/notes, but I don't think the song would have the same feel if he sang it any other way. I hope I made sense there, I'm not a singer or musically inclined in any way. I just know what I like and learn from reaction videos. Being mostly deaf, I don't pick up on things while listening to music, so I appreciate when things are pointed out and discussed that I would normally miss. Thanks for a great video!
The very best of all the reaction vids of this song.
Love this track my dad used to play the album supernatural that this song is from in the car all the time such nostalgia Santana is a bad arse guitarist
I've always loved his voice because he uses that nasal tone so well.
A Saturday upload from Beth is amazing.
I was not expecting this! Fantastic! I had no idea he sounded so great live. Thank you so much for taking a look at this.
Can I request something from LP? Like "Lost on You" or "Muddy Waters", both have Live Session versions!
Hey! Here is my reaction to LP: th-cam.com/video/Z9IuH61-RbA/w-d-xo.html
Your mum has great taste! This is one of my all time favourite songs. Great collaboration.
They’re doing this song faster than the recorded version. Btw, Rob Thomas was homeless, when he got signed with Matchbox 20. I drove the producers daughter, who told me this, but I’m sure this information is on the internet.
Love that you went with the live version over the music video. Love this concert.
This Live version is my favorite of this song, So relaxed yet so much energy and emotion from this Live version. The original video version of Smooth was ok but it was more rehearsed and set up for a music video. Carlos Santana is one of my favorite guitarists also and he's not a spring Chicken anymore but to play with such emotion and energy at his age is fantastic.
What?? Matchbox 20 was HUGE way before this song! I had Matchbox's CD YEARS BEFORE "Smooth" came out!
I like your breakdown like always, but I'd be lying if I said I came here for anything other than Santana. Best guitarist EVER.
I love you Beth, but Matchbox Twenty was a legit hit band years before smooth. My band was doing a cover of 3AM before Smooth ever came out!
Great analysis though.
Tony Vasile well said! I caught that too!! We love ya anyway Beth!
Yeah they won tons of awards for their debut album in 96...
And a fantastic debut it was
Indeed. I remember back then it was more like Santana trying to hitch the Matchbox 20 wagon.
I remember this song as the end of Matchbox 20 and Rob's solo career launch.
These guys had a really different sound. Loved them.
Didn't Rob blow up in 1996 with Matchbox 20's 3 AM? I suppose not as a solo singer though
Push was the first song I hear on the radio. 1997 if I remember. It got played A LOT.
Matchbox 20 was a consolidated group way way before this song
Rob was in a group called Tabitha's Secret in Florida which had some local radio play. Rob wrote 3 AM while with this first band. They split up and Rob brought it with him to his new band MB20. Unfortunately for Rob, he didn't understand the publishing rights for songwriters and he mistakenly split them equally with his Tabitha's Secret bandmates. They all got rich off a song they really had nothing to do with. The song still plays today. Every play means money for the songwriters.
I must note that matchbox 20 was huge even before this song came out...
I absolutely love Matchbox Twenty 🥰 You should react to more of his songs 🎵
That guitar is a custom love the tone, you know you have made a mark when someone hears you and they know by style and tone who it is.
I'd never heard of Rob before this, but LOVE this song with it's incredible Latin vibe. IF so could dance I would be doing it now. Not heard this live version but really enjoyed it - 'Just forget m'bout it! '
Smooth makes people move !!
Rob Thomas is originally from Sarasota, FL - has a bit of a Southern twang to his voice.
I believe he grew up in South Carolina. Fan of Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. He moved to Orlando and started the band Tabitha's Secret. Good songs but lousy band.
Facts: rob was born on the same holiday as me..and he’s German American like me
Matchbox 20 was already huge before this came out 😀
Great selection...two great artists!!
Matchbox Twenty got huge in the mid-90s in America. If you mean they got big internationally with this, that may be true.
You should react to "Matchbox Twenty - Bright Lights (Live)" that's an amazing performance of the band!
Pleaseeeee
Greetings from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷🇺🇸.
Matchbox twenty dates 1995 (origin) their first album was "Yourself or someone like you" (1996), Smooth is from 1999.
Matchbox twenty had a lot of success before this collaboration with Santana.
Real Word, Long Day, 3 AM, Push, Back to Good, If You are Gone, Mad Season, Bent, Feel, Disease, Bright Lights, Unwell, How Far We've Come, This is how a Heart Breaks, Lonely no More, just to name some.
This song is so hot. His voice 😍
God, you could not escape this song when it came out. It was like a fart that would just not waft away.
Who would want it to?
I have been a fan of Santana since I was a kid in the late 60's, and my father owning their 1st 5 albums on 8-Track tapes. THIS comment is definitely true on LA "Hit" radio stations that I had to listen to at work, and various public places :p.
Matchbox Twenty was plenty big before this song. Yourself or someone like you is a top 50 selling album of all time and came out 3-4 years before this.
Santana is awesome but Rob's voice is perfect for this song very distinct
Rob's my man!
8 Grammys off one track lol they were killing it that year
I was definitely dancing along with you! Haha Also am I the only one who thought when Rob was singing “or else forget about it” it sounded like he was actually pronouncing it “forgetem bout it”? Just another unique Rob Thomas flair. Such a good song & performance!
A very special friend of mine was playing the trombone in that concert!! His name is Abel Figeroa
Hi Beth,
So I'm an old school fan of Santana, as this and The Beatles in the late 60's is what I grew-up on, since my late-Father weaned me on Rock music. He owned the 1st 5 albums on "8-Track Tapes", and we heard them on every trip in my Papa's 67 Mustang Fastback.
It's a MUST (I'm not sure you have yet...) that you hear the early era with "Gregg Rolie" on lead vocals and keys (he also co-founded Journey with guitarist Neal Schon who was 18 when he joined Santana as well). Since its Latin/African based, most of their music makes you want to dance, even you have 2 left feet like I do :p. But they were a staple at family parties, with all the other older Latin singers you've been featuring.
But all these guys were extremely virtuosic musicians, no matter what line-up throughout the 70's and 80's.
Try tracks (Live or in-studio):
Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
Everybody's Everything
Hope you're feeling better
Evil Ways
- I hope you do more Progressive Rock and Prog Metal soon Beth :).
I love Rob Thomas I love Santana, They are both smooth
It doesn't get any better than Bett dancing latino! 🔥🔥🔥
I have seen Santana in the 70s to 80s the 90s I never heard Rob Thomas in the 70s. Respect is due to Santana's band
I was dancing along with you in Australia in 2021.
I got to see Carlos once, at the Amp in Tampa. Rob wasn't there.
I have seen literally hundreds of guitarists; none can compare. His fusion of Spanish, blues and rock is amazing!:)
Hi Beth!! The article I read, very interesting by the way, mentioned Santana not having much of a hit in the last few years. One day Santa had this casual meeting on the East coast as I recall, with a very good friend who was part of his group years before around the time of hits like "Black Magic Women" in a capacity as a producer or something like that. This friend wasn't doing much and suggested they get together again. Beyond that I don't remember how "Smooth" came together and unfortunately I didn't save the article. I mention this because the title of the article was how "Smooth became the second largest selling single ever". I love Santana but had never heard "Smooth" before.
Carlos Santana de los más grandes músicos que pasará ala historia. Cómo mexicano es un orgullo que represente a México gracias Beth 👏👏🍀🍀
One of my favorite singers.
I have to object to the "Matchbox20 wasn't really known until this song made Rob popular". They had success as a band since the mid 90s (that's how long they have been a favorite band of mine) "Mad Season" was a fantastic album and out years before this song.
Love that song! Reminds me of Freshman year in college! It is a timeless song, but at the same time, is a definite moment in time!
Are you sure about this album kickstarting the careers of both Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20? Because I remember having listened to MB20 before I bought this album. I remember Push being on heavy rotation on the radio as well as 3 a.m before Supernatural even came out. I've bought the album without having listened to a single song partly because it featured Rob Thomas, Everlast, Eagle-Eye Cherry and Eric Clapton. But maybe the release timeline for Germany differs from the one for UK.
Anyway, great song, and you're certainly are right that it has stood the test of time. Sounds as fresh as it did back then - or when it comes to Carlos Santana's playing roughly the same as it did in the 70s ;) That's one of the things I both like and despise about Carlos Santana, his playing can be summarised as "Santana doing Santana stuff" (to quote a German critic regarding the Supernatural album). Very distinct but also very repetitive.
I think Rob Thomas' singing style works well together with the latino rhythm and Santana's style of playing as it does give a nice contract as it's a bit more "pop rock" than latino. I think that's one thing that makes this song very interesting, just like the blue notes makes Blues and Jazz more interesting and more emotional. It fits well but it somehow doesn't which creates a slight tension for the listener.
Correct, MB20 was huge well before this song.
Love Rob please react to some matchbox