Format CD single Length 3:52 | Recorded 2002–03 Label Arista | |
Released July 8, 2003 (2003-07-08) Genre Latin rock, post-grunge | ||
"Why Don't You & I" is a 2003 top ten hit by Santana. The song was written by Chad Kroeger and recorded for Carlos Santana's 2002 album Shaman, on the Arista record label. The song was re-recorded in 2003 with vocals by Alex Band of The Calling, as the third single in the United States. It was released as the second single in Canada in the winter of 2003. The Chad Kroeger version was also released alongside the Alex Band version in the United States.
Contents
Despite being re-recorded for single release, the original version is the one that was played on Australian radio stations. The original version also occasionally plays on American radio stations.
Re-recording & single release
When Arista wanted to release the single in the summer of 2003, Roadrunner Records, the record label for Nickelback, refused permission citing concerns that Kroeger appearing on a "high-profile single" would compromise the excitement over Nickelback's fall 2003 release The Long Road and hurt the Nickelback album sales. Kroeger recommended Band, another BMG artist, to re-record the song's vocals for single release. The Alex Band version omits the guitar instrumental bridge, and was also included on Ultimate Santana.
Produced and arranged by Lester Mendez, the song reached #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 25, 2003. "Why Don't You & I" is Santana's last single to date to hit the Top 10 in the United States.
Personnel
Song credits from the CD liner notes insert.