I kinda like the Rob Thomas tune, and I'm not even a Matchbox 20 fan (or a Rob Thomas fan, for that matter). It may be because I've heard it enough times to get to like it, but not enough to get sick of it. I don't listen to radio that much, but there are certain songs you just can't avoid when they're "hot".
Your point about Santana is valid, but Carlos Santana himself said a long time ago that the only reason he has a band and records tunes is so he can take a guitar solo. He probably said it somewhat tongue in cheek, but it actually makes sense. All Santana songs have at least one guitar solo, and Carlos himself doesn't sing. But he loves to play, so he puts a band together, so he can play songs, so he can take a guitar solo. The guy's been at it for over 30 years, so he must be doing something right.