José Luis Perales: Smooth Sailing

By Celeste Rodas de Juárez and Silvia Martín
Translated by Mariela Pérez-Simons
Jan 2007

With more than 50 million copies of his albums sold, José Luis Perales is, without a doubt, one of the most prolific songwriters in Spanish-language music. After writing hits such as “Por Qué te Vas,” “El Amor,” “Un Velero Llamado Libertad,” and “¿Y Cómo Es Él?” he took time off from the music scene. This year he returned with a new album, Navegando Por Ti. In this interview this genius writer of more than 450 songs chatted with us with a constant smile on his face and wearing his heart on his sleeve...

People say you are the most profitable songwriter in the Asociación de Autores de España (Authors’ Association of Spain)... How does it feel to reach such success?
I’m not sure if I’m the most profitable, but I feel I’m being paid well for all the work I’ve done, and I’m very thankful to the people that have made this possible. It has been a long time since I lost all interest in money, because I discovered early on that in life the biggest fortune is to be happy, and you can reach happiness in a simpler way: being healthy, being around people you love, and enjoying doing what you do.

What do you enjoy doing?
Naturally, being with my children and my wife. We used to go skiing every year. We like skiing a lot. Now that the chicos aren’t so chicos anymore and they have gone their separate ways, it’s harder. But I enjoy sailboats and I go sailing often.

Your hobby is Roman sculpting and now also Greek sculpting. What about them do you like?
Roman sculpting is not only a hobby but also a great passion of mine that was born during a trip to Rome. The Coliseum and all those archeological treasures awakened in me a great curiosity for that fascinating world. Soon after that trip I built a workshop in my house (with kiln and everything) and I was able to make vessels just like the ones the Romans made. I was so passionate about it that I even stopped giving concerts just to focus on my sculpting. That was something my manager had a hard time understanding.

You studied electrical engineering... Do you fix things around the house?
It’s a contradiction, because although that was my major, I don’t get along with technology (laughter).  The truth is, I can’t even connect an electrical outlet. I’m horrible at all that! Thank goodness I have a son, Pablo, who helps me in that department.

Weren’t you afraid that after six years without recording, your audience was going to forget about you?
That’s a good question. It’s not that I was worried, because I suppose that the people who have followed my career somehow still remember my songs. The message in a song has the power to take you to a special time in your life, like a photograph, like a movie. But at the same time it’s risky to be away for so many years, but it’s a risk that sometimes is worth taking—as is my case—if it allows you to do other things that makes you happy.  Now that I’m giving my first concerts I realize that not only did people not forget about me, it’s just as if I had never left.

Which track in the album best describes your current state?
I would say “Mirándome al Espejo.” It’s almost a confession of myself.
 
Do you have an iPod to listen to your new album?
Like I said, I don’t get along with technology. I don’t even know what you are talking about (laughter). 

Do you surf the Web?
Only when someone helps me, but I have a website and I do go there and read my fans’ emails. But that’s how far I’ve gone on the Internet.

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