Which Fleetwood Mac guitarist wrote the song 'Black Magic Woman'?

Peter Green wrote Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman.” He was the band’s original guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter during its early blues-rock period.

Fleetwood Mac released the song as a single in 1968. Green also played lead and rhythm guitar and sang on the recording, which was produced by Mike Vernon. The track’s minor-key blues and Latin-tinged rhythm helped show the band moving beyond straightforward Chicago-style blues.

Green said the lyrics were inspired by his former girlfriend Sandra Elsdon, whom he nicknamed “Magic Mamma.” Musically, the song was influenced by Otis Rush’s “All Your Love,” which Green had encountered while playing with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Many listeners associate “Black Magic Woman” primarily with Santana, whose 1970 recording became a major international hit. Santana’s version appeared on Abraxas and was performed as a medley with “Gypsy Queen,” but Santana’s success does not change the songwriting credit: the original Fleetwood Mac song was written by Peter Green.