"Evil Ways" | ||||
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Single by Santana | ||||
from the album Santana | ||||
B-side | "Waiting" | |||
Released | December 30, 1969 | |||
Format | 7" 45 RPM | |||
Genre | Jazz fusion, latin rock, psychedelic rock | |||
Length | 3:54 (album version) 3:01 (single version) |
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Label | Columbia | |||
Writer(s) | Clarence "Sonny" Henry | |||
Producer(s) | Brent Dangerfield, Santana | |||
Santana singles chronology | ||||
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"Evil Ways" is a song made famous by the band Santana from their 1969 album Santana. It was written by Clarence "Sonny" Henry and originally recorded by jazz percussionist Willie Bobo on his 1967 album Bobo Motion. Alongside Santana's release in 1969, "Evil Ways" was also recorded by the band The Village Callers. The lyrics of the song are written in simple verse form.
Released as a single in late 1969, it became Santana's first top 40 and top 10 hit in the U.S., peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 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 does the backing vocals.
Some radio stations play edited versions of the song, cutting portions of the introduction, organ instrumental in the middle, and guitar improvisation in the coda.
Jackie Mittoo made a reggae version called "Totally Together" on his LP "Now" of 1970.
Johnny Mathis released the song as a single in 1970. It made the Cash Box survey at #118, and also appeared on MOR music surveys in Billboard and Record World.
The song was also covered by Cal Tjader (Willie Bobo was a former member of Tjader's band) with vocals by Carmen McRae on his 1982 album "Heat Wave."
Latin rapper Mellow Man Ace sampled this track and used it as the main melody for his single "Mentirosa" (1989).