Smooth (Santana song)

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 80.78.74.42 (talk) at 09:53, 12 July 2024. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Smooth" is a song performed by Mexican-American rock band Santana and Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, who sings the lead vocals. It was released on June 15, 1999, as the lead single from Santana's 1999 studio album, Supernatural. It was written by Itaal Shur and Thomas, who re-wrote Shur's original melody and lyrics, and produced by Matt Serletic.[1]

"Smooth"
Single by Santana featuring Rob Thomas
from the album Supernatural
B-side"El farol"
ReleasedJune 15, 1999 (1999-06-15)
StudioFantasy (Berkeley, California)
Genre
Length
  • 4:55 (album version)
  • 3:55 (radio edit)
Label
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Rob Thomas
Producer(s)Matt Serletic
Santana singles chronology
"Say It Again"
(1985)
"Smooth"
(1999)
"Put Your Lights On"
(1999)
Rob Thomas singles chronology
"Smooth"
(1999)
"A New York Christmas"
(2003)
Music video
"Smooth" on YouTube

The song was an international success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks. It was the final number-one hit of the 1990s and the first number-one hit of the 2000s, and the only song to appear on two decade-end Billboard charts. "Smooth" was ranked as the second-most-successful song ever on Billboard's Hot 100 60th Anniversary listing. In 2000, the song won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. "Smooth" also peaked at number one in Canada and charted within the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Concept and background

"Smooth" was originally conceived by Itaal Shur as a song called "Room 17". The lyrics were stripped off and the track was given to Rob Thomas, who re-wrote the lyrics and melody and re-titled it "Smooth", then recorded the song as a demo to play for Santana. After hearing the song, Santana decided to have Thomas record the final version.[1][3] Matt Serletic (who produced Matchbox Twenty's debut album Yourself or Someone Like You) produced the song, and it was released from Santana's album Supernatural. Thomas originally had George Michael in mind to sing the song.[4]

Chart performance

By June 1, "Smooth" was leaked and played by some radio stations before its official release.[5] The single became a chart-topping hit in 1999, spending 12 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 beginning with the week of October 23, 1999. It was the first chart-topping song in Carlos Santana's long-running career, rising higher than Santana's previous biggest hit, "Black Magic Woman", which peaked at number four in 1971. "Smooth" stayed in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 for 30 weeks and the top 100 for 58 weeks.[6]

In the United Kingdom, "Smooth" first charted at number 75 on the UK Singles Chart in October 1999. After a full release on March 20, 2000,[7] it peaked at number three, spending eight weeks in the top 40. The song also peaked at number three in Ireland in March 2000, spending ten weeks on the Irish Singles Chart. It remains Santana's highest-charting single in both the UK and Ireland. The song also peaked at number one in Canada for a week, number two in Greece, number four in Australia, and number nine in Austria. It reached the top 40 in an additional seven countries: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

Legacy

On Billboard magazine's rankings of the top songs of the first 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, "Smooth" was ranked as the number-two song overall[8] and the number-one rock song in the history of the chart.[9]

In the 21st century, particularly during the summer of 2016, the song became the subject of several internet memes.[10] Writing for MTV.com, Sasha Geffen compared the situation to similar resurgences of "All Star" by Smash Mouth and "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies, going on to attribute the song's popularity to "the merits of its vocal absurdity." They wrote, "There's something ridiculous about how eagerly Rob Thomas lays his earnest alt-rock croon over Santana's guitar, sweating out lines about how his 'Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa' is 'just like the ocean under the moon' without a hint of self-consciousness or irony".[2]

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Supernatural album booklet.[18]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[73] 2× Platinum 140,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[74] Platinum 600,000
United States (RIAA)[76]
(physical)
Platinum 1,200,000[75]
United States (RIAA)[76]
(digital)
Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 15, 1999 Contemporary hit radio Arista [77]
August 3, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
[78]
United Kingdom October 11, 1999 CD
[79]
United Kingdom (re-release) March 20, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
[80]

Cover versions

  • A cover version of the song is included in the Wii version of Samba de Amigo.
  • Post-hardcore group Escape the Fate also recorded a cover version of the song for the compilation album Punk Goes Pop 2, released on March 10, 2009.
  • Junior Lima from Brazilian pop duo Sandy & Junior sung a cover version of the song for the duo's live album/DVD As Quatro Estações - O Show, released in 2000.
  • The song was featured on two tracks, "Melt Everyone" and "Smooth Flow", from Neil Cicierega's 2014 mash-up album Mouth Sounds, and on two tracks, "Smooth" and "Shit", from the 2017 follow-up album Mouth Moods.
  • An acoustic version of the song was released by indie-folk artist Kimberly June on album Covers from Another, recorded at Round Hill Studios in Nashville in 2021.
  • The song "Albi Ekhatark (قلبي اختارك)" by Egyptian singer Amr Diab is loosely based on "Smooth".[81]
  • In February 2013, The Onion published a satirical video joking that "Smooth" had swept the Grammy Awards for 13 years in a row.[82]
  • Singer Miley Cyrus, as her television alter ego Hannah Montana, made reference to "Smooth" and Carlos Santana in her song "Gonna Get This."[83]
  • Funny or Die released a police drama parody trailer with Rob Thomas that recited the song's lyrics.[84]
  • In 2019, comedian JP Leonard released a bit inspired by the song which puts Rob Thomas in various jobs. The track, "Man, It's a Hot One", appeared on the comedy album NO Show Comedy: A Louisiana Album Recording.[85]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Browne, David (June 3, 2019). "Man, It's a Hot One: The Oral History of Santana and Rob Thomas' 'Smooth'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Geffen, Sasha (August 15, 2016). "The Enduring Power of 'smooth' by Santana Featuring Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty". MTV. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  3. ^ "Rob Thomas: Santana's Smooth Sidekick". VH1. December 2, 2002. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  4. ^ "Rob Thomas Reveals He Wrote 'Smooth' With George Michael In Mind". billboard.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Newman, Melinda (June 5, 1999). "Santana Goes 'Supernatural': First Arista Album Features Young Performers as Guests". Billboard. pp. 11, 128.
  6. ^ a b "Santana Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting March 20, 2000: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. March 18, 2000. p. 31. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary – The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (10-01)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  9. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary – Top Billboard Hot 100 Rock Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  10. ^ Dandashi, dahlia (July 15, 2016). "All summer 2016, we'll be jamming out to Santana's 'Smooth'". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Smooth (US CD single liner notes). Santana. Arista Records. 1999. 07822-13718-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Smooth (US cassette single sleeve). Santana. Arista Records. 1999. 07822-13718-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Smooth (UK CD single liner notes). Santana. Arista Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 70949 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Smooth (UK CD single liner notes). Santana. Arista Records, BMG. 2000. 74321 74876 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Smooth (UK cassette single sleeve). Santana. Arista Records, BMG. 2000. 74321 74876 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Smooth (European CD single liner notes). Santana. Arista Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 68406 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Smooth (Australian CD single liner notes). Santana. Arista Records, BMG. 1999. 74321 68405 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Supernatural (US CD album booklet). Santana. Arista Records. 1999. 07822-19080-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  20. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8475." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7842." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 7842." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  25. ^ "Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on October 21, 1999. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  26. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 15. April 8, 2000. p. 15. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas: Smooth" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  28. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth" (in French). Les classement single.
  29. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  30. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 7. February 12, 2000. p. 13. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Sætin 21 til 40 (14.10–21.10 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). October 15, 1999. p. 12. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  32. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Smooth". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  33. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 25, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  34. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  35. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth". Top 40 Singles.
  36. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 29. July 15, 2000. p. 7. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  38. ^ "Santana feat. Rob Thomas – Smooth". Swiss Singles Chart.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  40. ^ "Santana Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Santana Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  42. ^ "Santana Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Santana Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  44. ^ "Santana Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  45. ^ "Santana Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  46. ^ "Santana Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  48. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  49. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Retrieved July 27, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  50. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. Retrieved July 27, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  51. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks". RPM. Retrieved July 27, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  52. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  53. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  54. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-100. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  55. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-90. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  56. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  57. ^ "The Best of '99: Most Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 38.
  58. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2000". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  59. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 52. December 23, 2000. p. 9. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  60. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2000" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  61. ^ "Top 100 of 2000". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  62. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000" (in German). Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  63. ^ "Best Sellers of 2000: Singles Top 100". Music Week. January 20, 2001. p. 25.
  64. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 2000". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  65. ^ "Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 50. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  66. ^ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 48. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  67. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 54. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  68. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2000" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 56. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  69. ^ "The Best of 2000: Most Played Triple-A Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 44. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  70. ^ "Billboard's Top Songs of the '90s". Billboard. April 24, 2019.
  71. ^ "The Decade in Music – Hot 100 Songs" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 50. December 19, 2009. p. 158. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  72. ^ Trust, Gary (November 23, 2021). "The Weeknd & The Beatles Top Billboard's All-Time Hot 100 Charts". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  73. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2000 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  74. ^ "British single certifications – Santana ft Rob Thomas – Smooth". British Phonographic Industry.
  75. ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1999". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 4. January 22, 2000. p. 63. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  76. ^ a b "American single certifications – Santana – Smooth". Recording Industry Association of America.
  77. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1303. June 11, 1999. p. 58.
  78. ^ Pietroluongo, Silvio (July 31, 1999). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 31. p. 99. 'Smooth' will be available at retail Aug. 3
  79. ^ "Reviews – For Records Released on October 11, 1999: Singles". Music Week. October 2, 1999. p. 13.
  80. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting March 20, 2000: Singles". Music Week. March 18, 2000. p. 31.
  81. ^ "عمرو دياب - قبلي اختارك". Spotify. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  82. ^ "Santana And Rob Thomas' 'Smooth' Sweeps Grammy Awards for 13th Year in a Row". The Onion. February 11, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  83. ^ "Miley Cyrus - Gonna Get This Lyrics". Genius Lyrics. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  84. ^ "Smooth: The TV Show with Matchbox 20". Funnyordie.com. February 8, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  85. ^ "NO SHOW Comedy". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2020.