"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 1968 album, Evil Ways. 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 forty and top ten 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.
"Evil Ways" is about a girl who is spiteful: "You've got to change your evil ways, baby/Before I stop lovin' you." She neglects her boyfriend by spending time with her friends instead of him. "You hangin' 'round, baby/With Jean and Joan and-a who-knows-who."
Some radio stations play edited versions of the song, cutting portions of the introduction, the organ instrumental in the middle, and the guitar improvisation in the coda.
Read more about Evil Ways: Notable Covers, Remixes, Variations, Samples and Influences, Erroneous Credit
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