"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" was originally written in 1964 for Nina Simone but her version did not receive much attention. The song was then picked up by rock group The Animals the following year, who took their version into the US top 20. More then a decade later it became the debut single for a French group who made it a big hit.
Santa Esmeralda was formed in 1977 by French producers/songwriters Nicolas Skorsky and Jean Manuel de Scarano. They had launched their own label with the aim of producing artists who would record their compositions. Upon meeting singer Leroy Gómez in Paris, the duo recruited him for the group's first record, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", which debuted on an independent French label. A sudden success in Europe, the record was picked up for worldwide distribution by Casablanca Records.
The single topped the US disco chart and matched the #15 peak of The Animals version on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite
the success of the record, Gomez did not record any subsequent record with
Santa Esmeralda's original production team.
The song became popular again in some parts of Europe in 1990 when new remixes were released. Additionally, the song was used in the movie Kill Bill (2003). And of course now, in 2013, it is the Song Of The Day here in the Galaxy ;)
The song became popular again in some parts of Europe in 1990 when new remixes were released. Additionally, the song was used in the movie Kill Bill (2003). And of course now, in 2013, it is the Song Of The Day here in the Galaxy ;)
