Evil Ways (Santana song)
| "Evil Ways" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Santana | ||||
| from the album Santana | ||||
| B-side | "Waiting" | |||
| Released | December 30, 1969[1] | |||
| Recorded | May 1969 | |||
| Genre | Rock[2] | |||
| Length | 3:54 (album version) 3:01 (single version) | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter | Clarence "Sonny" Henry | |||
| Producers | Brent Dangerfield, Santana | |||
| Santana singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Evil Ways" is a song made famous by the American rock band Santana from their 1969 debut album Santana. It was written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry and originally recorded by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo on his 1967 album Bobo Motion. The lyrics of the song are written in simple verse form.[3]
Released as a single in late 1969, it became Santana's first Top 40 hit in the US, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of March 21, 1970. Gregg Rolie performs the lead vocals and plays a Hammond organ solo in the middle section. The double-time coda includes a guitar solo performed by Carlos Santana, who also sings backing vocals.
Other notable recordings and samples
Johnny Mathis released the song as a single in 1970. It made the Cash Box survey at number 118, and also appeared on MOR music surveys in Billboard (number 30)[4] and Record World.
Erroneous credit
On first pressings of both Santana's debut album and the single release, the songwriting credit was given to Jimmie Zack. Zack was a minor rockabilly artist out of the Midwest who recorded a song with the same title in 1960, credited as Jimmie Zack and the Blues Rockers. It was not the same song as recorded by Santana, however.
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- ^ "Santana - Evil Ways".
- ^ Sendra, Tim. Various Artists - Sounds of the Seventies: 1970 - Take Two (1990) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Covach, John. "Form in Rock Music: A Primer", p.71–72, in Stein, Deborah (2005). "Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis". New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-517010-5.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-1993. Record Research. p. 155.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 3769". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Santana" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Santana – Evil Ways" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Santana Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Santana Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 3740". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Music Outfitters. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
