Santa Esmeralda is a U.S./French Disco group formed in the 1970s, which ear… Read Full Bio ↴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.

Black Magic Woman
Santa Esmeralda Lyrics

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I got a Black Magic Woman.
I got a Black Magic Woman.
I got a Black Magic Woman,
She′s got me so blind I can't see
That she′s a Black Magic Woman
She's trying to make a devil out of me

Don't turn your back on me, baby

Don′t turn your back on me, baby.
Don′t turn your back on me, baby,
Don't mess around with your tricks
Don′t turn your back on me, baby
You might just wake up my magic sticks

You got your spell on me, baby.
You got your spell on me, baby.
You got your spell on me, baby,
Turnin' my mind into stone

I need you so bad,
Magic Woman I can′t leave you alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Santa Esmeralda's song "Black Magic Woman" convey the singer's infatuation and obsession with a woman who possesses supernatural powers. The singer describes the woman as a "Black Magic Woman" who has made him "so blind" that he cannot see through her powers. He acknowledges that she is "trying to make a devil" out of him, but he is unable to resist her spell. The singer pleads with the woman not to turn her back on him and warns her not to "mess around with [her] tricks." He fears that if she does, she might awaken his "magic sticks," referring to his own potential for using black magic. Overall, the song communicates a sense of danger and the seductive power of dark magic.

Line by Line Meaning

I got a Black Magic Woman.
The singer is in a relationship with a woman who possesses dark, supernatural abilities.

She's got me so blind I can't see that she's a Black Magic Woman
The singer is so enamored with the woman that he fails to see the sinister aspects of their relationship.

She's trying to make a devil out of me
The woman is leading the singer to engage in immoral or nefarious activities.

Don't turn your back on me, baby
The artist is feeling insecure in the relationship and pleading with the woman not to abandon him.

Don't mess around with your tricks
The artist is warning the woman against using her magic to manipulate him.

You might just wake up my magic sticks
The singer implies that he too possesses supernatural powers that could cause harm.

You got your spell on me, baby
The singer is under the woman's enchantment and cannot resist her.

Turnin' my mind into stone
The woman's magic has left the artist feeling helpless and unable to think for himself.

I need you so bad, Magic Woman I can't leave you alone
Despite the risks and dangers of being with the woman, the artist is consumed by his desire for her and cannot bring himself to leave.

Writer(s): Peter Green

Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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