With She’s Not There, virtuoso guitarist Carlos Santana, who turned 75 this week, turned a sixties song into a catchy Latin rock classic that almost reached number 1.

Number 2 hits come in all shapes and sizes. Some are now almost forgotten, others managed to achieve all-time status, despite not reaching the coveted number 1 spot in the Dutch Top 40.

Last Wednesday, July 20, legendary Mexican-American guitarist Carlos Santana celebrated his 75th birthday. This Latin rocker is known for his improvisational talents, big live shows, and distinctive guitar sound. As soon as you hear a single string hit by him, you know: it’s Carlos Santana. He broke through in 1969 during the Woodstock festival, he had yet to release an album. He was listed 16 times in the Dutch Top 40, including 3 times as a solo artist. He scored hits with Willie Nelson and John Lee Hooker, but also with Shakira and Michelle Branch. The 60s song he performed with his Santana voice became one of his biggest hits: She’s Not There.

In October 1977, Santana released a double album entitled Moonflower. Live material from this was recorded during the tour for the Amigos album in 1976. The first single from the album was a cover version of a song from The Zombies: She’s Not There. The Zombies recorded the song in one take after winning their university’s talent show: the Herts Beat competition. Keyboardist Rod Argent wrote the song. Tells the story of a seductive woman who is not tied to one man. The Zombies, with Colin Blunstone as vocalist, almost had a number 1 hit in America in December 1964. The main instrument of She’s Not There was an electric piano at the time, which was very unusual at the time. The song was judged on the British TV show Juke Box Jury, where a panel of music authorities assess newly released songs. The week that He’s Not There was judged, George Harrison was a panellist.

She’s Not There got the voice of the original Santana in Moonflower. In the stirring version there is plenty of room for percussion and vocals provided by Greg Walker. The single entered Tipparade in December 1977, and then entered the Dutch Top 40 three weeks later. On March 4, 1978, She’s Not There rose to second place, ahead of only Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley & The St. John’s. Thomas Moore School Choir with If I Had Words. The album Moonflower also reached second place on the Album chart due to the success of the single. Here, too, Santana was thwarted by Dutch artist Tol Hansse with his album Moet Niet Zeuren. She’s Not There was another hit in America. Santana reached number 27 on Billboard’s Top 100. In the UK, She’s Not There only reached one place higher than The Zombies’ original: number 11.

Santana’s She’s Not There grew into a great classic and can still be found on various all-time lists. Another studio song from the Moonflower album was also released as a single: the self-penned I’ll Be Waiting nearly reached the top 10. The live instrumental song Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile), in the style of Samba Pa Ti, got stuck at Tipparade.

Carlos Santana experienced a major comeback when his 1999 album Supernatural was released. He attributes his guitar playing to popular young singers such as Rob Thomas, Everlast and Dave Matthews. As a musician, he has become relevant to a new generation. The album was a big winner at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Supernatural contained no less than two American number 1 hits: Smooth and Maria Maria. The final song became his second number 2 hit in our country and Santana’s most successful hit on the Dutch Top 40. Supernatural was the only Santana album to reach the number 1 position on the Dutch album chart.

Last year, Carlos Santana released his 26th studio album, Blessings And Miracles, which he describes as mystical healing music to heal an infected world of fear and darkness. Rob Thomas (singer of Smooth) also participated in this album, but also names such as Steve Winwood and Chris Stapleton. The album also includes a cover version of A Whiter Shade Of Pale by Procol Harum.

His most loyal fans will call Samba Pa Ti the crowning glory of his work, the youngest swear by Maria Maria. Guitarists for all ages. We wish him many more healthy years playing music.

She Wasn’t There at number 2 for two weeks from 4 March 1978, behind If I Had Words by Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley with The St. John’s. Thomas Moore School Choir.

(07/22/2022)