"Winning" by Santana

Song#:  0560
Date:  04/11/1981
Debut:  87
Peak:  17
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This Latin-rock band headed by Carlos Santana first came to prominence with their performance at Woodstock. Their debut album came out soon after and reach #4 thanks to the festival exposure and their #9 chart hit "Evil Ways." The band reached their initial peak of popularity in the following few years with two #1 albums and a second hit "Black Magic Woman" (#4, 1970). But the mid-to-late 70s found the group just in a steady pace with touring, gold albums, and minor singles on the chart. Their first LP effort of the 80s, "Zebop!," put a bit more focus on rock and this single became their first to reach the Top 20 since 1971.

ReduxReview:  Originally a bit of a jam-band, it seems Santana put those roots aside to gain more favor in the rock market, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But if you heard this for the first time without knowing the artist, would Santana even come to mind? Doubtful. But it's nice to know they can get all pop-rocky when they want (which would come in handy in the late 90s). This is one of those songs for me where the verse is stronger than the chorus. I really like the verse but once the hook part comes up, it's lacking and the payoff is not there. But I still like it.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This song was penned by ex-Argent Russ Ballard, who had just recently put a solo song on the chart, "On the Rebound" (#58, 1980). Oddly, it is a remake with the original version included as the first track on the debut album by Nona Hendryx (of Labelle) in 1977.

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