Santana's Greatest Hits cover

Santana's Greatest Hits

Santana · 1974

34 min · 10 tracks · music of Latin America

A vibrant fusion of Latin rhythms and rock guitar that transports listeners to a sun-soaked celebration of sound.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Black Magic Woman — This track exemplifies Santana's signature blend of rock and Latin music, featuring an unforgettable guitar riff that helped define the band's sound.
  • →
    Oye como va — With its infectious groove and catchy melody, this song showcases the band’s ability to merge traditional Latin elements with contemporary rock sensibilities.
  • →
    Evil Ways Start here — As one of Santana's breakout hits, this track highlights Carlos Santana's distinctive guitar work and smooth vocals, making it a defining moment in their early career.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100
Treeline
Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album effectively showcases Santana's blend of rock and Latin music, though as a compilation, it lacks some cohesion.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of Latin percussion instruments, which drive the rhythm across all tracks.
  • The running time is tightly managed, with most tracks around three to five minutes, allowing for a dynamic flow without overstaying their welcome.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • short, engaging listening sessions
  • infectious groove for movement
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • vibrant, lively background energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — This compilation is accessible and showcases Santana's most iconic tracks.
Themes
Woodstock legacy· Latin rock fusion
Career context
Released in July 1974, Santana's Greatest Hits arrived during a period of commercial success following their self-titled debut and the acclaimed Abraxas. This compilation showcases the band's eclectic mix of Latin rock influences, capturing their rise to prominence in the music scene after their historic performance at Woodstock in 1969.
Stylistic neighbors
Carlos Vives· Los Lobos· Javier Solís

Tracklist

  • 1 Evil Ways Start here 3:02
  • 2 Jingo 2:52
  • 3 Hope You’re Feeling Better 4:13
  • 4 Samba pa ti 4:42
  • 5 Persuasion 2:36
  • 6 Black Magic Woman 3:18
  • 7 Oye como va 4:18
  • 8 Everything’s Coming Our Way 3:18
  • 9 Se a cabo 2:51
  • 10 Everybody’s Everything 3:32

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata