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We continue on Estudio Billboard with David Bisbal. David, when you recorded your first album, it was successful. Later, on the second record, there was a song that was the first song that you ever wrote.

Well... It was my first song ever recorded and marketed. I recall it very clearly. I recorded it with my vocal coach. He is also my friend, José Miguel Velásquez. He is a great professional musician and producer. I feel very proud to have shared my song with him. I had a lot of fun.

Were you told to write it?... or did you write it because you wanted to?

To be honest, it was a surprise for the record label. But, I felt like doing it. Besides, I had a lot of fun because...

It is called "Desnúdate, Mujer"

You laugh your head off when writing songs that represent sexuality or sensuality. Just to have a good time, you can change the lyrics and make them funny, right? But it really was a pleasure to record that song. On that album, Bulería, there was another song called "Crumbling." We changed it into "Me Derrumbo." I changed the lyrics, and it was great. That was a great opportunity.

So, at that time, you wrote lyrics, but not music yet.

No. I also wrote the music for "Desnúdate, Mujer."

The music as well...

But for "Me Derrumbo," I only wrote the lyrics. The album, Premonición, has created more opportunities for me because I have had much more preparation time. I started to work directly with the producers, the writers, and the composers on arranging... in recording sessions... with instruments... on the vocals and the chorus. This has given me the chance to be part of recording from the initial stages of producing and composing.

There is a song that you have told me you are going to sing. Tell us how it was created and how you wrote it.

Well... The song I am going to sing now is called "Amar es lo que Quiero." The song is not mine, but it is one of my favorite songs on the album because it is a ballad. I like ballads a lot. I know the audience always visualizes me with up tempo songs that show lots of energy. But ballads often capture your feelings more accurately. The lyrics in this song are very important to me because they say, "Let's stop tripping each other just because we like to do it... or because we want to make a profit from it." We make each other falter too often, and we haven't realized that by helping each other we can feel better about ourselves. Let's stop being negative. Let's be positive. We are going to feel much better about ourselves by helping each other. "Amar es lo que Quiero." Love is the best thing in the world to push negative things aside.

You asked someone to write that song. You said, "I want to sing about this," and they wrote it for you.

Exactly. The writer was David Demaría, another great composer from my country. I think you learn a lot about him thanks to this song. Well... It has really been wonderful. In fact, this demo was only played on the piano and with the vocals. It was great. When I heard it, I said, "These are my feelings. This is what I want to share with people." That is why I liked it so much, and we chose it as the single. Later, we recorded the video with Jama de la Iguana, who is a great video producer. Well... It's a song that has brought me a lot of happiness... maybe because it is the message I want to send.

He presented the demo to you with the piano and the vocals. Are you going to sing it and play it on the piano, too?

We are going to sing it with the great...

Vivir tras la presión del egoísmo de veras no es vivir, vivir sin ilusión ante el destino de nuestro caminar, vivir ante fronteras con la ley de un Dios cual sea para mí eso no es vivir; sentir que el horizonte es conquistar a tus emociones y cantarlas para ti. Quiero escuchar tu palpitar y descubrir un nuevo porvenir, por ti y por mí. Le, le, le. Me ahogo en la verdad, desnudo el sentimiento y abro mi corazón ante esta herida y amar es lo que quiero, me ahoga esta verdad, si sientes lo que siento y abre tu corazón cura la herida y amar es lo que quiero. Eh, eh. Eeeh. Y amar es lo que quiero. Yee.

[clapping]

Ok.

Thanks a lot. I like this song because I know that many artists can identify with it. For example, it will be performed over and over again, and there will be things that some artist will identify with. I like that.

How do you perceive yourself... as an interpreter, as a composer, or as a performer?

Look... I like being in the studio. I like to compose with friends. For example, I recently started trying these amazing software programs, such as Logic, and I have a bass that I don't... I am not a musician, ok? But, I am a musician in my head and in my heart.

Well,...You are...

Somehow I create...

Your voice is your instrument.

Yes. I set my own standards when I know that I like a melody in a certain musical key. Afterwards, I add a groove that I like on the drums, and then I record some violins. I love doing that. I am not an arranger or a musician. When I think that I have a melody and a harmony, I add the lyrics. I give that to the arranger so that he can create something that I like. That is how I create my songs. You can compose great things that way. You can also compose with other musicians. You contribute the melody and, of course, improvise with the melody and the vocals... and then add the lyrics. It's great to work like that. I did it like that on Premonición. Of course, I was waiting for songs from other producers or composers that I was working with... Kike, Rafa Vergara, Mauro Gasca, Daniel Betancourt. They are great composers, and it has been wonderful to have the chance to create and express my feelings.

Performing...

The most important thing about creating an album is the musical part... making it come alive and sharing it with people who listen to your records at home and at live performances. That is the best thing for me.

Well... When we return, I want you to tell us more about a live project that you are going to release.

Yes.

Stay tuned. We'll be back with more Estudio Billboard and the story behind David Bisbal.

[clapping]

...no han crecido y ya tienen valor, no han vivido y mueren por error y su juego lo destruye el fuego, son niños...

[clapping]

Here we are.

We continue talking with David Bisbal. Now is the moment of truth.

Yes...What is it?

We have a segment called Billboard Top 20.

The 20...

I ask questions, and you answer quickly with the first thing that comes to your mind... No time for thinking.

Ok.

The honest truth.

The honest truth? Oh, my God.

Ok, ready?

Go ahead.

What poster did you have in your room when you were a teenager?

Sports figures. Miguel Indurain's. I also had Samantha Foxx's poster.

Wilma or Betty?

Wilma.

Marilyn Monroe or Sophia Loren?

Marilyn.

What do you keep in the drawer of your nightstand?

Well... some CDs and my IPod so I can listen to some music.

What is the strangest rumor you have heard about yourself?

One day, I was caught like this... because I am very dramatic. I was greeting someone, and I did... something like that. A photographer caught me and wrote, "Bisbal had a confrontation with a photographer."

What is the biggest lie you have ever told in an interview?

I don't usually lie, but I have probably done it. Maybe about some vacation time... When I was asked, "Where are you going on vacation?" and I answered "I'm staying here." I did it so that I wouldn't get caught. And then, I went somewhere else.

Describe your perfect night.

Well, my perfect night would be after a concert. After the concert, I would have an intimate evening with the one I love... sing a couple of songs for her. Later, we would have a romantic dinner... without songs by David Bisbal.

Ok.

With different songs...

What song makes you cry?

Mmm... Many... but "La Historia de un Amor" is a very beautiful song.

Two albums you would take with you to a desert island. Only two.

I would take... Spain, for example, by Michael Camilo and Tomatito. I love it.

That is a great album.

It is a great record. And another one... I don't know. I guess a Billboard compilation or something like that.

Good! What would you give Laura Pausini as a present?

I would give her my friendship if she wants it, and my admiration because I admire her a lot.

And Juanes?

The same.

Do you sleep with or without pajamas?

I sleep in boxers... sometimes I don't.

Your worst fault? Sometimes you don't?

No, I mean... My worst fault is that sometimes I get mad at myself. I am a perfectionist. When I think that something didn't come out right, I get mad. You can tell when I am mad. It's something that I don't like about myself.

Your best virtue?

That's something that other people should answer. I'm not going to say wonderful things about myself.

No? Most treasured possession?

Possession? Well...besides my loved ones... maybe a medal that I have. It has the Virgin of the Sea, Almería's patron saint, on it. I take it with me everywhere I go... ever since I began my career.

What are you afraid of?

The only thing I am afraid of is getting sick.

Something you can't stand in a person.

Well... maybe arrogance. Someone who is arrogant... who always talks about himself.

What do you do right before going on stage?

I greet my musicians. I always get together with them because I don't like to see them for the first time on stage. I have to see them before that. I greet them, and then I pray a little.

Any good-luck charms?

Well, I had a Buda, but it broke yesterday. I hope I don't...

Are you feeling unlucky today?

I think it is just the opposite. When you start wearing it, you say, "When it breaks, I will be the luckiest person on Earth." So, well...

Finally... Your favorite vice?

A vice? I have several. Ha, ha... Well... Food, for example. I eat a lot of all kinds of food.

That's a good vice, David. You have passed the test.

Thanks! You are very kind. Thank you.

Hey... Tell us about... You are going to release a DVD. You were saying that it is important to know how to perform live. That is something that many musicians today are lacking because they are used to being in a studio, and they are used to using the studio's tools.

Exactly...

So...What is this DVD exactly?

Well, it is an album that I am working on for the first time with my audio technician. He and I are working on the mixes. This is the first time I am co-producing something. It is intended for people who haven't seen the Premonición tour. They will have the chance to watch the entire concert on that DVD. It will include a lot of extra images from the Latin American tour, and of course, it will also show some backstage footage that we recorded with the musicians and some fans. Throughout my entire career, ever since Corazón Latino in 2002, there have been songs that have been left off of some records. Since 2002, it has happened on Corazón Latino, Bulería, and Premonición. Some songs were left out, and I have kept them in a safe place. I am ready to show them to people now.

On this record, Premonición, there is a song that caught my attention. It has been very popular. It is called "Torre de Babel." You sing it with Wisin y Yandel, the reggaeton duo. Tell us about it.

The duet that made history...

The reason for that... the duet that made history... Why did you create that song? What was the message?

When I was working with Kike and trying to decide what I wanted to share with people... I knew that I wanted to include a song describing the social problems of our countries... of our world. "Torre de Babel" somehow does that. There is so much injustice... so much misery... so much poverty... so much war... For the first time, these guys, Wisin and Yandel, contributed to the song, and we came up with positive lyrics. It was great having shared something like that. Every artist contributed with something from his own genre. David contributed with pop, and Wisin and Yandel put in the urban Latin touch with their reggaeton. All of us are going to be very proud of this. Of course, there was another great friend involved, Vicente Amigo. Playing the Spanish guitar. He contributed a flamenco rhythm.

It is a very effective way to create a hit and send a social message. I love it. We are running out of time. I always ask people to say goodbye with a song. Can you do it?

Of course. It would be my pleasure. What are we going to sing? I would like to sing, for example, "Soldado de Papel," since we were talking about social issues.

Exactly.

Why don't we bring out the pianist?

Tell us something about "Soldado de Papel." For our audience who might not know the song.

I had the chance to go to the country of Sierra Leone some time ago. Four years ago, they were having a civil war against a lot of rebels. Many children were forced to be soldiers. Lately, there have been movies about it...where the pain of the children has been shown. It has been great to be working with people who have helped to readjust many of the children. Well...to give them... ...Remember about the childhood they didn't get to have.

Ok.

That's wonderful.

How nice.

Maestro.

Hay un lugar donde no hay sol, sólo un dolor sin marcha atrás ni dirección, tienes que luchar. Ah, no, no han crecido y ya tienen valor, no han vivido y mueren por error y su juego lo destruye el fuego, son niños. ¿Quién te habrá robado el mundo en un disparo, quién te puso precio a tu vida, quién puso en tus manos odio de regalo, quién por Dios? Eh, eh. Eeeeh. ¿Cómo pudo la conciencia convertirse en tanto amor? Eh, eh, eh. Soldado de papel. Eh, eh. Yo me negué. De plomo no son, su piel es real, mil y uno caerán no, no importa la edad, ellos sufrirán ellos bastarán, eeeh. No, no han crecido y ya tienen valor, no han vivido y mueren por error y su juego lo destruye el fuego, son niños. Soldados de papel, ye, ye. yee. Soldado de papel.

Thanks!

[clapping]

Thanks, David for being with us.

My pleasure.

We loved the other side of you. Thanks to you for being here on the show. I hope to see you next time on Estudio Billboard.

See you later! Thousands of kisses.

THE END

David Bisbal in Estudio Billboard [1] [2]