Santana, Black Magic Woman | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 142^nd edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Black Magic Woman” by Santana.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 142^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Black Magic Woman” performed by Santana.

“Got a black magic woman,” Gregg Rolie (keyboards and lead vocals, 1947 – ) sings on the Santana classic, “Black Magic Woman”.  Rolie adds in the first verse, “Got me so blind I can’t see / That she’s my black magic woman / She’s tryin’ to make a devil out of me.” Oh, snap! The beloved, popular Santana cut is a cover 🤯. Peter Green (1946 – 2020) wrote “Black Magic Woman”… for Fleetwood Mac, who originally recorded it.  That said, Carlos Santana (1947 – ) and company made the song, the second track from their 1970 album, Abraxas, into a hit. How big of a hit? “Black Magic Woman” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.  Also, it should be noted that their version incorporates the 1966 song, “Gypsy Queen”, by Hungarian jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó (1936 – 1982).  The song on the album is fully titled “Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen”.  Fred Catero and Carlos Santana are credited as producers.

“Black Magic Woman” is a vibe from the get-go.  It is set in the dark, foreboding key of D minor.  The intro is enigmatic, setting the tone with the organ, guitar, and rhythmic percussion. The robust bass line provides a great anchor. Gregg Rolie shines with a nuanced, solid, and well-rounded vocal performance.  “Don’t turn your back on me, baby,” Rolie sings in the second verse, and adds, “Stop messin’ ‘round with your tricks.” Ooh-wee! In the third, he acknowledges, “Got your spell on me baby /… Turnin’ my heart into stone / Need you so bad, magi woman / I can’t leave you alone.” Word! Another member of Santana deserves recognition: Carlos Santana, of course.  He impresses with his consummate guitar playing and soloing, which matches the memorable lyrics and tuneful melodies.  Approaching 60 years later, “Black Magic Woman” remains a big-time bop.