Julio Iglesias talks about his new greatest hits compilation, having a global fan base, an upcoming UAE tour and the challenges of singing in Arabic. <b>I read that in your recent Venezuelan tour someone broke into your hotel room and stole money and three of your IPads.<br/></b> Ah, that was nothing. So they stole my wallet and somethings. I didn't like the way it was reported in the media because people kept talking about how it was because I was in Venezuela. This could have happened in China or Europe. I love Venezuela and the people there are beautiful. <b>What about us in the UAE? When will you send your love down here in person?<br/></b> I love playing in the Middle East. I came to Dubai a few years ago and a few months ago I had two beautiful concerts in Bahrain. I should return to to your country in November or December. <b>You are truly an international artist. Other than the Eskimos you probably played to people from all cultures and sung in different languages. Do you find that rare to have such global appeal?<br/></b> This what I enjoy best about my career. Singing is an expression of love. It knows no race and no religion. So when I am playing in Germany I am German, if I am playing in an Arabic country I am an Arab. When I close my eyes and sing I don't think I am in a foreign place. <b>Your latest album Numero Uno is a fresh twist on greatest hits albums in that you rerecorded some of your hits. Weren't you worried about messing up your classics?<br/></b> One of the reasons behind this is the sound in the 80's was not as good. So I wanted to go and do some of these songs again and the album has sold very well all over the world. I am happy with it and I want it to sell four or five million copies (laughs). <b>That is a lot of pressure.<br/></b> I really cannot say I feel pressure. Pressure is people who have to work 12 hours and even more every day to feed their family. I am privileged to live this life. Compared to others I never worked a hard day in my life. <b>How about singing love songs in foreign languages? That sounds tough.<br/></b> That can be very difficult, especially singing in German and Chinese. I first must get a feeling for the song and the beat. Then I learn the language phonetically and then try to sing it. But off-course it is best when something is sung from a person from that same culture. I met this great German singer and this romantic song she sang in that language was really beautiful. <b>Any thoughts on recording a collection of Arabic love songs?<br/></b> That would be too difficult! The only word I can probably sing is habibi. <b>What is your take on Latin music these days? It has become a dominant part of modern pop music.<br/></b> Well what is happening now is artists are using Latin flavours - which is basically the rhythm - and bringing it into the Anglo Saxon world of music. You see artists like Enrique (Iglesias) and Shakira doing this right now. <b>Well now that you mentioned him, do you give Enrique fatherly advice about the music business and career longevity?<br/></b> He is a champion. He does not need any advice from me because he has done this on his own because of his talent.You can teach success but when it comes to talent, you either have it or you don't. <b><i>Numero Uno (Sony) is out now.<br/></i></b>
