This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Santana's "Hold On"

Painfully generic title aside, this modest pop hit from 1982 (which peaked at No. 15) should have been a much more ubiquitous tune a quarter-century ago, especially given Carlos Santana's keen ability to adjust to the times. In the middle of the new wave explosion, the revered guitarist was able to maintain his band's chart relevance without blindly following contemporary trends, even if he certainly edged far deeper into pop territory than his nominal group had ever done since its emergence in the late '60s.

"Hold On" employs light touches of Latin rhythms but clearly excels at crossover appeal, evidenced by its strong performance on both the rock and adult contemporary charts as well. The formula for the '80s version of Santana was a savvy one: downplay ethnic musical elements in favor of '80s-flavored, keyboard-fueled arrangements but never at the expense of Carlos Santana's tasteful, unmistakable lead guitar style. Having a great pop song to record didn't hurt either, especially one that gives a tutorial on how to maximize accessibility without sacrificing musical quality.

• Sample or download "Hold On" here.
• Compare prices on Santana CDs here.
• Official Carlos Santana Website

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Columbia