Shangó (1982) Songwriting Credits — Santana

Authorship Breakdown 6 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Santana carries a lyricist or composer credit.

55%

6 trackswritten by Santana 5 tracksoutside writers

Santana's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist55%

Composer55%

Producer100%

Performer100%

By the Numbers

11

Tracks

16

Lyricists

4

Producers

1982

Released

Data Insight

Shangó pushed Santana toward a polished early-80s pop-rock sound, the work of four producers in Bill Szymczyk, John Ryan, Carlos Santana, and Gregg Rolie. The album leans on outside material more than most Santana records, pairing band-written tracks with covers of Ian Thomas, Paul Brady, and Russ Ballard alongside a reading of the Junior Walker soul standard "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)." The Ian Thomas cover "Hold On" became the breakout single and the band's biggest pop hit of the decade, reaching the upper reaches of the Hot 100. Closing the set, the short title track returns the album to Santana's Afro-Cuban percussion roots, with the band's conga and timbale players credited as its writers.

Shangó is the twelfth studio album by Santana, released in 1982 on Columbia Records. Named for the Yoruba deity of thunder and lightning, the album brought a more driving, rock-oriented energy than much of the 1970s catalog, with Alex Ligertwood's vocals and Carlos Santana's guitar leading an album that integrated the production style of early-80s rock. "Hold On" was released as a single, and the album's title track brought Afro-Cuban religious imagery into the mix in a way that connected with the band's earliest percussion-heavy identity. Chester Thompson, who would become a long-term member, made increasing contributions to the band's arrangements. Shangó continues the transitional 1981–1985 era in which Santana navigated the MTV age with a sound built around Santana's guitar tone rather than any particular trend.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers

#	Title	Lyricist(s)	Composer(s)	Producer(s)	Performers
1	The Nile	Alex LigertwoodCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Alex LigertwoodCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
2	Hold On #15	Ian Thomas	Ian Thomas	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
3	Night Hunting Time	Paul Brady	Paul Brady	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
4	Nowhere to Run #66	Russ Ballard	Russ Ballard	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
5	Nueva York	Armando PerazaAlex LigertwoodCarlos SantanaDavid MargenGraham LearGregg RolieOrestes VilatòRichard BakerRaul Rekow	Armando PerazaAlex LigertwoodCarlos SantanaDavid MargenGraham LearGregg RolieOrestes VilatòRichard BakerRaul Rekow	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
6	Oxun (Oshún)	Carlos SantanaAlex LigertwoodGregg RolieGraham LearArmando PerazaRaul RekowOrestes Vilatò	Carlos SantanaAlex LigertwoodGregg RolieGraham LearArmando PerazaRaul RekowOrestes Vilatò	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
7	Body Surfing	Carlos SantanaAlex Ligertwood	Carlos SantanaAlex Ligertwood	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
8	What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)	Johnny BristolVernon BullockHarvey Fuqua	Johnny BristolVernon BullockHarvey Fuqua	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
9	Let Me Inside	Carlos SantanaChris Solberg	Carlos SantanaChris Solberg	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
10	Warrior	David MargenRichard BakerAlex LigertwoodCarlos Santana	David MargenRichard BakerAlex LigertwoodCarlos Santana	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana
11	Shangó	Raul RekowOrestes VilatòArmando Peraza	Raul RekowOrestes VilatòArmando Peraza	Bill SzymczykJohn RyanCarlos SantanaGregg Rolie	Carlos Santana