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Woman: Have you imagined yourself composing with somebody else? Which artist would it be?

I would love to... You know with whom? Juan Luis Guerra. I would love that... I'd love to. I hope it happens some day because I think he is a great composer and singer. Besides, I like his aura... He is special. I don't know.

Haven't you composed with anybody else yet?

No, not really.

Stay tuned. We'll be back with more about Juanes and his music.

[clapping]

I think after becoming a dad, I finally understand the miracle of life, what it means to be alive. It is a miracle. It's a very delicate, precious thing.

[clapping]

We continue on Estudio Billboard with the top-selling Latin artist, Juanes. This is my favorite part of the show because I am going to ask you to play more of what you have already been playing.

Come on. It's my pleasure.

Besides music by Los Visconti, which is traditional, typical in Colombia... What other music has been an influence on the way you compose, and the way you see music?

I would say it definitely is Cuban trova, especially Silvio Rodríguez. When I was 8, all of those records started to be played at home. And at that age, the only thing I really listened to was the melody and the guitar, the sound of the guitar. I daydreamed about it. And then, I started to listen, the lyrics, exactly. Later on, as I was growing up, I started to understand more of what he said, his poetry.

I mean, when you bring Metallica and Silvio Rodríguez together, Juanes is born.

A little bit from them, and a little bit of Darío Gómez, Julio Jaramillo, Diomedes Díaz, and... popular Colombian musicians.

Was there any particular song you liked when you were between 8 and 15?

I would say it was a beautiful song by Silvio Rodríguez called "Mujeres", which I love. For me, that's his greatest creation.

En estos días todo el viento del mundo soplaba en tu dirección, la Osa Mayor corría la punta de su cola y te corona con una estrella que guía, amiga. Los mares se han torcido como poco dolor hacia tus costas, la lluvia dibuja en tu cabeza la sed de millones de árboles, las flores te maldicen sonriendo celosas. En estos días que no sale el sol sino tu rostro y en el silencio sordo del tiempo gritan tus ojos ay de estos días terribles, ay de lo indescriptibles.

How nice!

[clapping]

You were talking about Calamaro. You worked with him on the song about landmines.

Yes.

Is it taking a lot of your free time away from your life? Do you feel that as an artist and as a famous person, it is your duty to do that kind of stuff?

The thing is... In the last 7 years, it has become important to me as an artist, as a human being, and as a citizen as well. I feel that I can contribute more each time. It is like having two choices, sit down, do nothing, and complain, of course, or do something, be there for the landmine survivors, with our foundation, with education, see what else we can do. I mean...

For those of you who don't know, Juanes has a foundation called Mi Sangre, and its main focus is to work against landmines.

Exactly. Let's put it this way: The government covers the physical part, the rehabilitation for survivors. They give them prostheses and medical treatment. But, there is also a big emptiness they feel on the psychological side, in regard to the occupational aspect. There are several institutions working with them, and Mi Sangre is one of them. We are a second-level institution. This means that we don't run programs, but we work with others who already have the knowledge, the expertise, the "know-how". We all work together.

On your first album, there was a song called "Fíjate Bien" which talks about landmines.

In fact, that was the song that introduced me to this. I worked on that song the same as any other. I was aware of the situation, but I wasn't deeply committed to it. When the song was released on that album, different organizations invited us, right away, to participate in fundraising concerts to raise awareness and to help create preventive education campaigns. During that process, I got to know the victims, the stories, the statistics. I said, "This can't be real. It can't be possible that Colombia is going through this. We have to do something, and the only option is to try to change it".

Your recently released song talks directly about this topic. Can you play a little bit of that song for us?

Sure. It's part of a song that I composed on a trip to Cocorná, which is a very affected town in Antioquia, Colombia. It goes like this...

Son caminos de caminos donde las piedras son las minas que van rompiendo huesos de la tierra que se queja dejando inválida la esperanza, la dulce voz de un niño. Se turnan la tormenta de un llanto incontrolable, dolores viscerales que no entiende la inocencia. Los árboles están llorando, son testigos de tantos años de violencia; el mar está marrón, mezcla de sangre con la tierra. Pero ahí vienen bajando de la montaña con la esperanza las madres que ven por sus hijos y que sus libros para la escuela son su soñar. Pero ahí vienen bajando de la montaña con la esperanza las madres que ven por sus hijos y que sus libros para la escuela son su soñar. Merecemos el olvido.

See? Switching from major to minor chords.

What?

Switching from major to minor chords...

I'm sorry. The album is not on the market yet, so I don't remember some parts and...

It was wonderful! I wanted to ask. Have these songs and these things you see changed you as a person and as an artist?

Yes, definitely. This entire experience has allowed me to face life from a perspective that I didn't allow myself to see before. I mean, my sensitivity is much greater now. After becoming a dad, Leila, I finally understand the miracle of life, what it means to be alive. It is a miracle. It's a very delicate, precious thing.

In fact, I was going to say that all of your songs, including this one... Ok, not all of them, but a song like this one, describes a terrible reality, and yet it also sends a message of hope.

It is about hope, yes. The chorus "shines", you know? When you switch to a major chord, the melody and the voice represents light, hope. I'm talking about a very complex concept, but it is... let's say, just another ingredient in my music. I always want the spirit to be uplifted.

"Uplifting", the English word.

Yes, definitely.

Listen, before we take a break again, What plans do you have for your foundation? Is there anything planned for this year? When are you going to begin your world tour promoting this album in 77 countries? What will happen to your foundation then?

Well, Leila, our foundation never rests. In fact, we are always in touch, everyday, on the phone or over the internet. We are very committed to this. There is a wonderful program we are starting right now... There has been a children's musical workshop in Colombia called Canto Alegre for 20 years. Together with Canto Alegre, we have developed a program of basic education for children from 0 to 5 years old. In fact, it has already been started in 42 towns. We are very happy because the idea is something very romantic and very idealistic, but it makes total sense. Maybe in 15 years, when these children are grown ups, they will have other ideas in their minds and in their hearts.

Hopefully.

We are working on that.

Can a change be made thanks to music?

Absolutely.

Ok. We'll be back with more Estudio Billboard, and the stories behind the songs by Juanes.

[clapping]

Hay tantas cosas que me gustan hoy de ti...

[clapping]

We continue chating to Juanes, and it's time for me to put you up against the wall.

Oh, my God.

Ok?

Again?

This is our Top 20. These are quick questions, and you have to answer quickly, as well. Don't think about them.

OK, got it.

A psychological test... Ready? Ok. Choose one...The Who or Queen?

Queen.

Betty or Wilma?

Betty. Sofía Loren or Marilyn Monroe?

Marilyn Monroe.

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

That one.

Which one?... about Marilyn Monroe?

I don't know,... about anything.

Describe your perfect night.

Guitar, wine, love, sex, stars.

Mmmm...

Is that asking for too much? That's easy!

Ok, ok.

Hey, it's easy!

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

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd and Mujeres by Silvio Rodríguez.

What song makes you cry?

Mmmm... "El Limonar." I don't know if that's the name of the song, but I love it. My dad used to sing it.

What do you spend your money on?

Music, books, plug-ins for my studio, software...

What would you give Juan Luis Guerra as a present?

It would be a poem and a guitar.

And what would you give Ricky Martin?

A book.

Do you sleep with or without pajamas?

Without.

Mmm...

...with my underwear on.

What is it that men will never understand about women?

Nothing. We don't understand women, but we can't live without them either.

Ok, I like that.

Go figure.

Your worst fault?

Impatience.

Really? I can't tell.

Really. Well, for some things.

Ok. Your best virtue?

Discipline.

Most treasured possession?

Material possession,... my guitar.

What are you afraid of?

I fear death.

Something you always carry with you.

My phone.

Something you can't stand in a person.

Lying.

What do you do right before going on stage?

Pray.

Do you have a good-luck charm?

Yes.

What is it?

This.

Ok. Explain later. Favorite vice?

Favorite vice?

French fries.

Ok.

I mean, you have to eat and feed yourself, right? But when you do it too much, it becomes a serious vice...

You passed the test, Juanes.

I did?

You did.

What happens now? Am I worthy or not?

I think you're worthy, but explain about your good-luck charm.

Do I get the job or not? My good-luck charm is very simple. My mother gave it to me a long time ago. It is a rosary. Even though I don't follow the church as an institution, my family are all Catholic, and I have an amazing faith. I always pray when I get on a plane,... when I am on stage. I pray every morning and night.

Ok. I didn't know about that spiritual part of you.

See?

Listen, all of those...

Whenever you want, we can go out. You can't imagine how much fun I am! Ha, ha, ha. You can't imagine.

When talking about your perfect night, you mentioned stars, wine and...

Am I right or not? That's why it is nice... a good wine, a guitar, good company...

Good company is essential for a special occasion.

Absolutely.

By the way, how did you meet your wife, Karen?

I met Karen in Bogotá when I was recording a video for my first album, Podemos hacernos daño.

That was many years ago.

Seven years ago.

God, that's when your career started?

Yes.

Many people's perception is, "That guy called Juanes appeared all of a sudden,... stood on a stage and got 6 Grammy nominations!" But they don't know the huge amount of work behind all of that. Was there ever a moment before the six Grammy's when you said, "I quit. This is not working, and I'm going to dedicate myself to designing?"

Maybe at some point, Leila. Even before the Grammys,... When I was part of Ekhymosis, I fell twice into a deep depression, and I even thought, "I don't know. I don't know... I think I'm going to take another road". But my love for music was always great and my passion, too. So, I managed to overcome those fears and frustrations and make it through. Nowadays,... and of course I sometimes go through the same thing, I can't conceive my life without music. If you really have a goal in life, an idea, and you fight for it with love, you'll reach it.

Did you sell everything when you left Colombia?

Everything.

And you went to Gustavo's...

I sold everything. And please don't imagine that I had very much... an amplifier, a motorcycle, I mean, I owned 3 or 4 things. I bought the ticket with that money. I came to Miami, and that is where I started. I was at a very special friend's place, at Memo's, for about two or three months. Memo took me in. Then I went to New York, and I was there for a month. Later, I went to Los Angeles, and I stayed there.

Eating canned beans until you recorded...

I wish I could have eaten canned beans! No, no, no... That was a luxury at that time. I ate rice... Sometimes, I had to cook rice and drink tap water. Sometimes, I would buy a sandwich and cut it into two. I would have one piece for lunch and the other one for dinner. It was a terrible, very complicated situation.

Since then,... You haven't worked with Metallica yet and that's maybe going to be on our next show.

Well, we'll see...

You have worked with huge stars such as Lura Pausini, Tony Bennett, Alejandro Sanz... What is the important part about these collaborations, musically speaking? Which one is the most special, in case you can mention one?

I would say the one where I learned the most, was with Tony Bennett. Let me tell you the story. I went into the studio, and Tony was there. We were recording, and when taking a break, I asked him, "Tony, how do you warm up your voice? How can you sing so amazingly well?" He told me, "I do my voice exercises in the morning while I shave, but that's it." I didn't want to ask anything else. I felt kind of embarassed. Five minutes later he handed me a tape,... you know, a very old tape... And he told me, "Look, this is a present from me to you." He gave me that tape. And since that day, I have been studying it. It has really helped me. You know? It is a beautiful story because I am so thankful. Having worked with Miguel Bosé in the studio,... He really is an artist. Understand? He has... Miguel knows what he's all about. He knows it, and he is a great person, too. With Alejandro it was the same thing. Well, with everyone, in fact.

Ok. Let's take advantage of that old tape given to you by Tony Bennett. As a goodbye, we always ask the singer to play a song. I know it's difficult for you to pick a favorite song among so many, but... is there a song that is special to you right now? Anything?... A little part that you can play,... just to say goodbye?

Yes.

Cada blanco de mi mente se vuelve color al verte y el deseo de tenerte es más fuerte y es más fuerte, sólo quiero que me lleves de tu mano por la senda y atravesar el bosque que divide nuestras vidas. Hay tantas cosas que me gustan hoy de ti: me enamora, que me hables con tu boca me enamora, que me eleves hasta el cielo me enamora, que de mí sea tu alma soñadora. Esperanza de mis ojos, sin ti mi vida no tiene sentido, sin ti mi vida es como un remolino de cenizas que se van. Oh, oh. Volando con el viento. Epa!

Do I stop or what?

[laughing]

[clapping]

Juanes, thank you very much. Thanks for playing "Me enamora."

My pleasure, my pleasure.

Thanks to the audience for joining us, and thanks to our viewers at home. Thanks for tuning in for Estudio Billboard. See you soon!

[clapping]

THE END*

Juanes in Estudio Billboard [1] [2]