Hear Santana and Rob Thomas Reunite on "Move"

"Smooth" came out 22 years ago, but they've linked up again for the lead single from Santana's new album

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Aug 18, 2021

Man, it's a hot one — like seven inches from the midday sun: perfect weather for Santana and Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas to reunite on the follow-up to their ubiquitously steamy 1999 smash "Smooth."

After 22 years, they're back together with "Move" — the lead single from the Carlos Santana-led rock band's forthcoming album Blessings and Miracles, which is due October 15. The track also features pop-rock group American Authors, who had quite the radio earworm of their own with "Best Day of My Life" back in 2014.

Thomas told Rolling Stone that "Move" was initially written with American Authors (co-authored, if you will) for his own upcoming record. But upon recognizing that the song had "a Latin flair to it," Thomas knew exactly who he needed to call. Smoothly, he invited Santana to play guitar on it.

"Rob was working on it and wanted to know if I would play on it," Santana said. "And as soon as I heard it, I said, 'This is a powerful summer song.'" The duo know a thing or two about a scorcher.

As you might expect, "Move" is laced with Santana's signature stank — crunchy, filthy guitar licks. He even takes a solo before the two-minute mark, because he's Carlos Santana and he can. Thomas and American Authors vocalist Zac Barnett trade verses, but of course, this one's all about the chorus, wherein Thomas urges us to move like we're burning the house down — give him your heart; make it real, or else forget about it. 

Some might argue that the admittedly strange pairing could never strike gold in the way their chart-topping original collaboration did. And they're probably right, but nonetheless: we love to see it. It's 2021 and we need every moment of nostalgic levity we can get, right? If only we could rip through this tune in high school band class too...

Listen to the new track below and see the star-studded tracklisting for Santana's forthcoming album.

Last year, Carlos Santana launched his own cannabis brand.


Blessings and Miracles:

1. Ghost of Future Pull/ New Light
2. Santana Celebration
3. Rumbalero (ft. Salvador Santana & Asdru Sierra)
4. Joy (Carlos Santana & Chris Stapleton)
5. Move (Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Zac Barnett & American Authors)
6. A Whiter Shade of Pale (ft. Steve Winwood)
7. Break (ft. Ally Brooke)
8. She's Fire (Diane Warren, G-Eazy & Carlos Santana)
9. Peace Power (ft. Corey Glover)
10. America for Sale (ft. Kirk Hammett & Marc Osegueda)
11. Breathing Underwater (ft. Stella Santana, Avi Snow & MVCA)
12. Mother Yes
13. Song for Cindy
14. Angel Choir (ft. Gayle Moran Corea)/ All Together (ft. Chick Corea)
15. Ghost of Future Pull II 

Pre-order Blessings and Miracles.

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