Santa Esmeralda is a U.S./French Disco group formed in the 1970s, which earned a #1 club hit in 1977 with a cover version of the song "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood".

The original band's lineup consisted of Leroy Gomez (Lead vocals 1977-78), Jimmy Goings (Lead vocals 1978-82), Jean Claude Petit (Keyboards, composer), José Souc (Spanish guitars), Slim Pezin (Electric guitars) and Christian Padovan (Bass). Their trademark were songs of more than 15 minutes of duration. The single "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" sold 48 times gold and 42 times platinum. The track was also featured in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.