The 55th annual Grammy Awards took place on Feb. 10, 2013, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Here is what this Grammy winner said backstage in the Grammy Awards press room.
JUANES
Winner of:
Best Latin Pop Album
(“MTV Unplugged Deluxe Edition”)
How are you feeling right now?
I’m so happy to be here and so thankful to God for this Grammy. It means a lot to me. So I just want to dedicate this to the country of Colombia and to all my fans. I just want to keep doing music to the next day of my life.
What was it like performing version of Elton John’s “Your Song” with some of the lyrics in Spanish?
The Grammys asked me to do that song. And of course I wanted to do it. I’ve known that song since I was a child. I respect him a lot. I just met him today before I sang the song. To me, it was a good opportunity to do it in Spanish and English with my guitar. To me, it was an honor to [perform] with Elton John.
Were you nervous?
Yeah, of course it’s difficult for the fact that you have to stand with your guitar for the very first time with your guitar and sing in Spanish and English. It’s something special. But I was practicing and I felt comfortable.
I did my own translation, very simple, two lines. And I knew the song since I was a child, so it was kind of easy. I really like the song. I enjoyed it a lot. It was a good opportunity for me.
Will you have any English-language songs on your next album?
We’re touring all the around the word singing in Spanish, but now I feel more comfortable with the [English] language, so I would probably do some things in English. I’m working right now with Steve Lillywhite — he’s a producer form the U.K. — for my new album. We’ll probably have four songs in English. [The album will be] in Spanish and English, but definitely I will keep singing in Spanish.
Two years ago, there were rumors that you were going to quit making music. Can you talk about where you’re at in your life right now?
That’s why this moment means a lot more to me than ever. Like you said, two years ago, I was a little bit lost. I was tired of myself and everything. I couldn’t find my way. And then I just needed to stop for a moment and think about what was happening in my mind. Music, it saved my life again, as always.
I just needed a moment to listen to my own voice and soul. And I started to recover and to write music again. And then I found Juan Luis Guerra, and he took me to this beautiful journey, and we did this record, and everything just came together again. And now, I just feel stronger than ever and more and more happy than ever. I just want to keep going and doing music forever.
Can you talk about being part of the Bruce Springsteen tribute at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2013?
That was great, man. I couldn’t believe it. I was backstage watching the big screen [thinking], “I can’t believe I’m here.” I met Bruce last year at South by Southwest. He was the coolest guy. I also know his music since I was a child. So for me, it means a lot. I’m such a big fan. I just love his live performing, his voice and his power. So for me, it was such a great experiencing to be singing one of his songs for him.
For more info: Grammy Awards website
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