Lightnin’ (used for rody into)

The song "Lightnin’" from Carlos Santana’s 1983 album Havana Moon is a vibrant instrumental that captures the Tex-Mex and rock & roll spirit of the record. Co-written by Santana and Booker T. Jones, the track showcases Santana’s signature melodic guitar lines layered over a driving rhythm. One piece of trivia about "Lightnin’" is its collaborative energy: it features contributions from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, a Texas-based blues band whose gritty sound added a raw edge to the song. In a 1983 Rolling Stone review, J.D. Considine noted the album’s inspired Tex-Mex elements, and while "Lightnin’" wasn’t singled out, its upbeat tempo and instrumental flair embody the album’s adventurous vibe. Santana has shared in interviews that Havana Moon was a chance to explore his Tijuana roots, where he grew up listening to blues and rock & roll, influences that pulse through "Lightnin’."

Another tidbit about "Lightnin’" comes from its place in Santana’s discography as a lesser-known gem. Fans on Facebook groups like Santana Fans often highlight the song’s infectious groove, with some calling it a perfect “road trip track” for its high energy. The song has also been covered by artists like Joe Murphy and The Waterstreet Blues Band, as noted on SecondHandSongs, showing its enduring appeal in blues-rock circles. While Santana hasn’t shared specific stories about "Lightnin’" in recent social media posts, his X account frequently celebrates the Havana Moon era, emphasizing how the album was a love letter to his early musical inspirations.

Carlos Santana’s journey to becoming a global music icon began in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, where he was born on July 20, 1947. Raised in a musical family, he learned violin at age five under his father, a mariachi musician, and picked up the guitar at eight. When his family moved to Tijuana, Santana was exposed to rock and roll through bands like The Tj’s, led by Javier Bátiz. At 12, he became a roadie for them, eventually joining as a bassist before switching to guitar in local bar bands. His early immersion in blues, inspired by artists like B.B. King and T-Bone Walker, shaped his soulful style. By the mid-1960s, Santana had moved to San Francisco, where he formed the Santana Blues Band in 1966 with Gregg Rolie. Discovered by promoter Bill Graham, the band, now simply Santana, blended rock, Latin rhythms, and jazz, landing a deal with Columbia Records. Their 1969 debut album and Woodstock performance catapulted them to fame, cementing Santana’s legacy as a pioneer of Latin rock.

For more on Carlos Santana, visit his official website or follow him on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can connect through communities like the Santana Fans Facebook group or explore dedicated sites such as Santana’s official fan club, where enthusiasts share stories, concert updates, and appreciation for tracks like "Lightnin’."