Moonflower cover art

  Live Album · No. 1

Moonflower

1977 Columbia 16 tracks 87 min

Produced by Carlos Santana, Tom Coster

Columbia Latin RockJazz Fusion
88%
Authorship
Artist

Santana wrote 14 of 16 documented tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Santana carries a lyricist or composer credit.

88%
14 trackswritten by Santana 2 tracksoutside writers
Santana's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist88%
Composer88%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
15
Lyricists
2
Producers
1977
Released
Data Insight

Moonflower is a double album that interleaves new studio recordings made in San Francisco during 1977 with live concert performances captured on the band's 1976 European tour. Carlos Santana and keyboardist Tom Coster produced the set and account for most of the songwriting, trading credits with bandmates such as Leon Chancler and David Rubinson on tracks like "Dance Sister Dance." The record balances band originals against a pair of well-known covers, reaching back to "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" (Peter Green and Gabor Szabo) and folding in a studio reworking of the Zombies' "She's Not There" written by Rod Argent. The live cuts revisit early Santana staples including "Soul Sacrifice," "Savor," and "Toussaint L'Overture" while the studio sides introduce newer material like the instrumental "Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)."

Moonflower is a 1977 double album by Santana, released on Columbia Records and produced by Carlos Santana and keyboardist Tom Coster. The record blends Latin rock and jazz fusion across a set that interspersed new studio recordings with live performances rather than separating them. Its best-known track, a cover of The Zombies' "She's Not There," reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave the band its first Top 40 hit since 1972's "No One to Depend On." Other highlights include the live readings of "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)" alongside the studio instrumental "Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)," with contributions from drummer Graham Lear, vocalist Greg Walker, and percussionists Raul Rekow, Jose "Chepito" Areas, and Pete Escovedo. Moonflower peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 and was certified 2x Platinum in the United States, a level of commercial success the band would not match again until Supernatural in 1999.

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Dawn/Go Within
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
2
Carnaval
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
3
Let the Children Play
Leon PatilloCarlos Santana Leon PatilloCarlos Santana Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
4
Jugando
José AreasCarlos Santana José AreasCarlos Santana Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
5
I'll Be Waiting
Carlos Santana Carlos Santana Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
6
Zulu
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
7
Bahia
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
8
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
Peter GreenGábor Szabó Peter GreenGábor Szabó Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
9
Dance Sister Dance (Baila Mi Hermana)
Leon ChanclerTom CosterDavid Rubinson Leon ChanclerTom CosterDavid Rubinson Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
10
Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile)
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
11
She's Not There #27
Rod Argent Rod Argent Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
12
Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)
Tom Coster Tom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
13
Soul Sacrifice / Head, Hands & Feet
Carlos SantanaGregg RolieDavid BrownMarcus MaloneGraham Lear Carlos SantanaGregg RolieDavid BrownMarcus MaloneGraham Lear Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
14
El Morocco
Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana (Guitar, Vocals)
15
Transcendance
Carlos Santana Carlos Santana Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana
16
Savor / Toussaint L'Overture
Carlos SantanaGregg RolieDavid BrownMichael CarabelloMichael ShrieveJosé Areas Carlos SantanaGregg RolieDavid BrownMichael CarabelloMichael ShrieveJosé Areas Carlos SantanaTom Coster Carlos Santana

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 15 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Moonflower

Sources