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.