Transcendance

Album: Moonflower (1977)
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Songfacts®:

  • According to the Simon Leng biography Soul Sacrifice, "Transcendance" would become "Carlos Santana's musical manifesto for 1977, heavy with flamenco-style climaxes on vocal, guitar and keyboard." Vocalist Greg Walker said, "I felt as if I could fly while singing it."
  • Written by Carlos Santana and running 5:13, "Transcendance" is a studio cut on the double album Moonflower, which contains both live and studio recordings. Santana wasn't a singles band at the time but they did include a cover of "She's Not There" on the album, which went to #27 in America and exposed them to a broader audience. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • Like many Santana songs, the lyric is judicious, and the vocal secondary to the music. Transcendance is a state of awareness outside the physical realm, something Carlos Santana often explored in his personal life and in his music, which was part of a spiritual journey for many listeners. The title doesn't show up in lyric, which is really just an introduction and goodbye. The music does the talking.

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