HOW DID YOU COME ABOUT SINGING GOODBYE FOR NOW IN ENGLISH? After many years and many exercises, I finally found a beautiful song that I fell in love with, that I wrote with Poo Bear from Los Angeles, and I just felt that it was the right moment to do it. I’m not planning to record a whole album in English, it was just one song, I just wanted to try it.
WILL YOU BE RECORDING MORE SONGS IN ENGLISH? For me, to sing in Spanish is very important because it makes me feel close to my roots. But definitely I am learning the language, my kids were born in the United States and I love Anglo music, so maybe in the future I will record some more songs in English. But for me I will keep singing in Spanish.
DO YOU FIND THAT SINGING IN SPANISH IS MORE EMOTIONAL? Yes, when I sing in Spanish I just close my eyes and feel, I feel the music. When I sing in English, I have to think a little bit more about the pronunciation and the words. But definitely music is a universal language, and I can play guitar in English for example!
WHERE WOULD YOU TELL A TRAVELLER THEY COULD FIND COLOMBIA’S BEST KEPT SECRETS? They should visit the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. It is beautiful. Also, if they like the ocean, to go to the Islas del Rosario where they will find the most beautiful beaches.
OUTSIDE OF MEDELLÍN, WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN COLOMBIA AND WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL TO YOU? I love Cartagena. I have many great memories of going there with my wife and kids, paddle boarding and enjoying the old city.
WHAT COLOMBIAN SOUVENIR IS A MUSTHAVE FOR VISITORS TO YOUR HOMELAND? A traditional Colombian hat, sombrero vueltiao. Also, visitors must watch the unmissable documentary, Magia Salvaje, because it showcases the very best of our country.
LASTLY, WHERE DO KEEP ALL YOUR GRAMMYS?! We have a place in Miami where we rehearse and record our music, and all the Grammys are kept there, in the studio. www.juanes.net