US rock band Matchbox 20 have made a pact never to play Smooth, the worldwide hit penned and performed by the group's frontman, Rob Thomas, in a collaboration with Santana. Make that: never play the song publicly. "I wrote it specifically for Carlos, so it was never meant for Matchbox 20," Thomas told this columnist in Santa Barbara last week.
But, during a soundcheck to preview some new songs from their upcoming album, Mad Season, released May 22nd, guitarists Adam Gaynor and Kyle Cook couldn't resist teasing Thomas with their rendition of the song.
"We will only play it as Matchbox 20 to privately humiliate Rob," Gaynor joked.
Bernie Taupin, Elton John's longtime songwriting collaborator, introduced the band on stage, and called Thomas "one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation."
Matchbox 20's new single, Bent, will be dominating the airwaves from tomorrow.
