The song evolved through several stages before reaching its final form:

: Every other verse concludes with a Picardy cadence , moving from a minor key to a major one to evoke a sense of hope.

The piece is noted for its sophisticated jazz-fusion influence and emotional depth:

: Santana used a Yamaha SG2000 guitar for the recording, achieving the long, weeping sustain that defines the track's "vocal" quality.