Today’s Song Lyric Sunday, from Jim Adams, prompts us with Haunted, Magic, Mystery, Supernatural and Trick. I have chosen one by the legendary Carlos Santana, “Black Magic Woman”. It has an interesting back story. I hope you enjoy it.
Have a great Sunday!
This was a hit for Santana, but few people know that this song is actually a cover of a 1968 Fleetwood Mac song that hit UK #37. Peter Green, who was a founding member of Fleetwood Mac, wrote the lyrics. The original’s music sounds very similar to the sound Santana added on his version.
The original version is based on a blues song Peter Green wrote for Fleetwood Mac’s first UK album called “I Loved Another Woman.” Mick Fleetwood called the original version “Three minutes of sustain/reverb guitar with two exquisite solos from Peter.”
The royalties generated by Santana’s cover of this song helped sustain the song’s writer, Peter Green, after he left Fleetwood Mac. Green gave most of his money away when he left the band, and would have found himself destitute later in the ’70s if he didn’t get checks from his old hits.
After this was released, Peter Green befriended some people who were into black magic. In an interview with Cameron Crowe of Rolling Stone magazine, Christine McVie said these were the people who turned him on to acid, which led to Green leaving Fleetwood Mac.
Lyrics
Black Magic Woman
Got a black magic woman
Got a black magic woman
I've got a black magic woman
Got me so blind I can't see
That she's a black magic woman
She's trying to make a devil out of me
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Don't turn your back on me, baby
Yes, don't turn your back on me, baby
Stop messing about with your tricks
Don't turn your back on me, baby
You just might pick up my magic sticks
You got your spell on me, baby
You got your spell on me, baby
Yes, you got your spell on me, baby
Turnin' my heart into stone
I need you so bad
Magic woman I can't leave you alone
Source: Lyric Find
Songwriters: Peter Alan Green
Black Magic Woman lyrics © Bourne Co.
Very interesting backstory. I had no idea. Love it when I learn something new. Great choice!!
Thanks Jilly 🙂 It was interesting wasn’t it?
Christine I appreciate your info on the song. I knew Peter Green wrote it, but didn’t know about him getting mixed up with black magic and drugs that fried his brain. So glad Santana brought him funds to support him in his compromised state. I like both versions of the song and Santana was on my platter for years!
Thanks Lisa. Yes I didn’t fully appreciate that back story either. Interesting stuff 🙂
Peter Green was a magician, I’m convinced. Santana made this song theirs, though, especially with adding Gabor Szabo’s “Gypsy Queen” at the end (much to Mr. Szabo’s chagrin, as it turns out…).
Yes he was John. I loved seeing him in this video. Song aside, I love Santana! 🙂
I think that this is Santana’s best song, thanks for adding it Christine. This version was extra spacey with some great jamming and that slide thing that Carlos does with his guitar is fabulous.
Thanks Jim. He is amazing isn’t he? 🙂
I like Santana’s version but the original is my favourite! 🙂💞
I just loveSantana’s guitar playing ❤️
👍🏽❤️