ROCK MOMENT – Santana ‘Evil Ways’
Santana’s ‘Evil Ways’ is the song that first introduced Carlos Santana’s groundbreaking blend of Latin rhythms, blues, jazz, and rock to a mass audience. Released in late 1969 and becoming a hit in early 1970, the track was the breakout single from the band’s self-titled debut album, Santana, and it helped establish the group as one of the most distinctive sounds of the era.
Interestingly, ‘Evil Ways’ was not originally written by Santana or any member of the band. The song was penned by Texas-born musician Clarence “Sonny” Henry, who had recorded it himself in 1967 in a more straightforward blues style. When Santana discovered the tune, they completely transformed it. Carlos Santana and keyboardist Gregg Rolie reimagined the arrangement, adding a hypnotic Latin-rock groove driven by congas, timbales, and a rolling Hammond organ line. Carlos’s searing, melodic guitar work turned the song into something both soulful and electrifying, giving it a mystical, almost spiritual intensity.
The recording of ‘Evil Ways’ came at a pivotal moment for the band. Fresh off their stunning performance at Woodstock in August 1969, Santana had captured the attention of the music world. That momentum carried into the studio, where producer Brent Dangerfield and the band worked to capture the raw energy of their live sound. The song’s extended instrumental sections and call-and-response feel reflected the group’s roots in improvisation and Afro-Cuban rhythms, setting them apart from typical rock acts of the time.
When ‘Evil Ways’ was released as a single, it climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Santana their first major hit and paving the way for the success of their debut album. Lyrically, the song tells the story of a troubled relationship, but musically it conveyed a deeper sense of urgency and emotion through its minor-key melody and pulsing rhythm.
More than five decades later, ‘Evil Ways’ remains a cornerstone of Santana’s catalog. It is still a staple of their live performances and a classic rock radio favorite, celebrated for launching one of the most influential careers in rock history and for introducing a bold, multicultural sound that forever changed the landscape of popular music.
