Today (January 8th) marks the 25th anniversary of Santana's hit song "Smooth" beginning its 12th and final week atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000. The song, the first single off Santana's comeback album Supernatural, was co-written and sung by Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. Thomas has had mixed feelings about the song over the years, acknowledging its various phases of popularity and personal impact.
Reflecting on "Smooth," Rob Thomas said that the song has taken on many different lives. "It was a great summer jam and then it became something that we all got a little sick of for a while and then it came back around for a minute and then everybody was like, 'Oh, I kind of remember that. I like that.' There were moments in it where I didn't know if I should say, 'You're welcome' or 'I'm sorry.' But it is definitely one of the songs that I've ever written that I'm fine if I never hear it again, but I love to play it. I don't think it's the best song I've ever written [and] I don't think it's obviously not the best song he's ever done. It shows the power of being in a moment."
"Smooth" played a significant role in the success of Supernatural, which sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The song topped the charts in 11 countries and has been certified 15-times platinum.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]