The song was composed by Bert Olden and Joachim Relin and was Jackson's first single released outside of North America.

Wanda Jackson had become known to North American audiences as both a country and Rockabilly artist, with singles like "Let's Have a Party" (1960) and "Right or Wrong" (1961).

[4] Jackson recalled in her autobiography having to spend six hours recording the song due to trouble pronouncing the lyrics in German.

She also recalled that the track had over 30 musicians on the final product, including a string section and a Belgian opera singer to sing background vocals.

[4] "Santo Domingo" was Jackson's first single to reach a number one chart position in her career[2] topping the Austrian pop list in July 1966 and spending 12 weeks there.