Music Blog

Smooth Saturday Sounds: Europa

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

“Europa (Earth’s Cry, Heaven’s Smile)”
Written by: Santana/Coster
Recorded:  1976
Producer: David Rubinson
Engineer(s):  David Rubinson, Fred Catero
Assistant Engineer: Susie Foote

Released: March 26, 1976

Available on:
Amigos

Personnel:
Carlos Santana – lead guitar
Neal Schon – rhythm guitar
David Brown – bass
Greg Rolie – keyboards
Michael Schrieve – drums
Armando Peraza – percussion
Jose Chepito Areas – timbales

Upon seeing a friend suffering a bad experience while high on mescaline, Santana composed a piece titled “The Mushroom Lady’s Coming to Town“. This precursor contained the first lick to “Europa“. The piece was put away and not touched for some time. When Santana was touring with Earth, Wind & Fire in Manchester, England, he played the tune, this time with songwriter Tom Coster who helped him with some of the chords, and a new song was born. It was renamed as “Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)”.

The track was featured in the 2004 film “Shall We Dance?” and has become one of Santana’s most beloved songs with its combination of Latin rhythms, blues and jazz influences.

This is Santana with “Europa”

May your Saturday be smooth sailing. Thanks for stopping by.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2024

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24 thoughts on “Smooth Saturday Sounds: Europa”

    1. Amigos was one of a handful of cassette tapes I kept in my glove box at all times and Europa was the song that was playing when I got my one and only speeding ticket. I got so caught up in the music, I didn’t realize how fast I was going; fortunately I was on an empty highway when I got nabbed. When the cop told me he was a Santana fan, I really thought he was going to let me go with just a warning; no such luck!

      Yes, they are an amazing group who always please but now I’m curious …. which is your favorite track?

      Thanks, Willow!

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