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Anastacia Dreams Anastacia's "Not That Kind" tour starts in March 2025 | Instagram: You can also find us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!

Online since 2006 | Anastacia Dreams aims to provide you with the latest news and media on singing sensation Anastacia Newkirk.

Watch Anastacia perform her cover of Alphaville's 'Forever Young' live for the first time: https://youtu.be/gMOex5oJm-oT...
09/12/2023

Watch Anastacia perform her cover of Alphaville's 'Forever Young' live for the first time: https://youtu.be/gMOex5oJm-o

Taken from her latest album 'Our Songs'

Interview: Anastacia spoke to Süddeutsche Zeitung about Peter Maffay, Night of the Proms, Our Songs and more.SZ: You wer...
09/12/2023

Interview: Anastacia spoke to Süddeutsche Zeitung about Peter Maffay, Night of the Proms, Our Songs and more.

SZ: You were recently the surprise at the press conference at which Peter Maffay announced his departure from the stage. You talked almost longer than he did.

Anastacia: Haha, woe betide me if I let go... The whole action in Cologne was pretty spontaneous for me. Like the duet with him for my album, that came out of nowhere for me. What a challenge to find lyrics and a voice for his biggest hit “So bist du”. I sent him my demo version for "Just You". Then in the studio I thought it would take hours, I wanted to make it perfect. First he sang his track. I said: And now me! He just said: No, we'll use your demo part. What?!

SZ: You seem to like each other.

If you are Peter Maffay or me, then you want to feel that the energy fits with your musical partners. It has to feel very effortless. We quickly realized: It's not just the music you like. He is inspired by music, he is clever and humble. I think that was very special for him too, we reinvented this wonderful love song together.

SZ: How did it come about that you will be on stage with him on his farewell tour?

Once we had the song, Peter simply asked: "I'd like to have you on stage with me, would that work for you?" I'm like: What?! But everything happened organically.

SZ: Did you know Peter Maffay before, one of Germany's most successful rock musicians?

At least I had heard of him. Just like you heard about Bruce Springsteen. He is an icon. I've probably heard Peter's music too, but didn't know it was his.

SZ: It certainly won't be played in the USA.

Exactly, most German music is not played outside of Germany. Unfortunately, that's how it works. That was just part of the project, and I was actually a bit worried: Why should I do this if there isn't even a demand for it? At first I thought: Should I really do this in my life? Do I need this?

SZ: What ultimately convinced you to cover German hits?

When the Campino song came on. I immediately thought: Okay, it's possible! I just thought before: The songs are great in German, but the English translation will surely ruin that. It always does, there are already s**tstorms about subtitles on YouTube. I already liked “Tage wie diese” as Die Toten Hosen sang it. But when Campino's own demo came out in English, I was immediately touched: That's damn brilliant! Holy s**t, this was made for me, an Anastacia song. Then I was 100 percent into the project.

SZ: How did you search for the German songs?

The record company first sent me the 50 biggest hits from Germany. But I didn't find much that suited me melodically. Then another 50 came. I searched purely musically. Once I got a good bunch together, I asked: Okay, so what do these songs mean now? Many didn't make it to the next round because I wouldn't normally say something like that.

SZ: Only the half-Englishman Campino translated himself. How did it work otherwise?

A professor of English and German first turned the texts into stories for me, as if I were reading a book. For understanding. Then it was time for the details. For example, the song by Johannes Oerding: I already knew what “An guten tagen” means. So in German it sounds strong. But the first English line "now or never" was too weak, clumsy, choppy for me. It doesn't sound like "I'm Outta Love" (sings). We added something like “now or never - here and now” and that worked. Texting was like moving furniture around: the same room with a facelift. By the way, Google didn't help at all, as I had initially hoped.

SZ: It's probably better that you don't have to mention Google in the credits.

That's right. It shouldn't be too easy either. That was one of the realisations in the process: Maybe no one has done something like this before because it's too difficult? And I immediately thought: S**t, now that I really want to do the "Our Songs" project, maybe I can't do it because it's impossible. Uh-uh-uh, I had a million doubts, in the songs, in myself, even in my singing, like when I tried to sing the chorus of "Born To Live" (Unheilig's "Geboren um zu Leben"): My voice sounded terrible too.

SZ: So that you of all people are doubting your vote.

She's not exactly unobtrusive. Another thing like that was “Symphony” (sing the piece by Silbermond loudly). I wanted to make it big and pathetic. But in the studio I said: That sounds ridiculous, I'm destroying its simplicity, its beauty. So I had to take a step back. And in the end everything fell into place.

SZ: Did you also have enlightening moments with the German songs?

Oh yes. For example, I never had any doubts about “Cello.” Then I knew: That's exactly how I want it and no other way. It's just that I had the biggest inhibitions with the translation. I looked at Udo Lindenberg like I looked at Bob Dylan. So if Bob Dylan and Scorsese had a baby. It's like poetry in film format. But Udo brought a friend with him for the English words. I just said: Okay, sure, I'd be happy to, I'd just ruin it anyway. And it became really cool, jazzy, interesting, this exciting phrasing, as special as always with him, completely different than I would ever do. But I really got into it, listened to his song over and over again, I challenged myself. I love the result, and he loves it too. His text message to me had 12,000 emojis.

SZ: Have you discovered anything typical about German songwriting? Or is this just international pop music?

While researching, I discovered a lot of beauty in German music. But something special, hmm... German pop doesn't have a formula like Latin music, maybe that's why it doesn't come to the US market. But: I think your hip-hop is awesome, "Slam-Dunk": edgy, you feel the words. I couldn't cover hip-hop because I'm not that kind of girl ("I'm not that kinda girl," she sings), but I just can't put down some tracks. There's a rhythm thing in German that works for me. Maybe that's also the reason why the hit works, because it also has this rhythm in it, like a da dop da dop da dop.

SZ: Will you also be playing the German songs at the Night of The Proms, or just your biggest hits?

No, of course. The organizers were allowed to choose. And they didn't know about the album when they hired me. Now they have chosen a surprise from my hits and also something from “Our Songs”. I'm glad that the German pieces are in my repertoire, they fit in wonderfully alongside "Left Outside Alone".

SZ: During your German research, did you also come across Camouflage and their Eighties hits "Love Is a shield" and "The great commandment", which also play at the Proms?

Actually no. But I'm so excited for all my colleagues. I've already been to the Proms once, in 2012, and that's why I remember: When you're on the slopes together for so long, you become a real family. The Night of The Proms is such a high quality production. A great opportunity for me, especially after the difficult past few years.

SZ: You won the TV show “The Masked Singer” in Australia as a vampire. They're all in on the fun too, aren't they?

I like to try out a lot: small, unexpected, creative things that are just fun. When people ask: What do you still need to check off in your life? Then I say: I don't know, things just happen on their own anyway. I've never had a lack of work, I just always think about what suits me at the moment.

08/12/2023

What a stunning intro for Left Outside Alone!

Check out Anastacia's latest TV appearance here: bit.ly/46RrEol

08/12/2023

Watch: Anastacia performs on 'Your Songs' - find all performances on our channel! https://bit.ly/46RrEol

Anastacia performs in Hannover6th December 2023
07/12/2023

Anastacia performs in Hannover

6th December 2023

A stunning pic of Anastacia in Erfurt!📷 Axel Heyder
07/12/2023

A stunning pic of Anastacia in Erfurt!

📷 Axel Heyder

Anastacia was interviewed for Pl***oy Germany:Anastacia, after a six-year break from the studio, you recently released t...
06/12/2023

Anastacia was interviewed for Pl***oy Germany:

Anastacia, after a six-year break from the studio, you recently released the album “Our Songs” with twelve cover songs of German hits. What were your favorite German songs before?

Honestly? No! For a long time I didn't know any German songs. It wasn't until I was 30 that I crossed the ocean and came into contact with German music. But my German fans have always welcomed me with open arms. Also even if I don't speak their language, they try to understand my songs. That's great.

So you made the album for your German fans?

Yes, I am very grateful and happy that I have it. Germany is a very proud and strong country. Here you like something or you don't like it, black or white.

Last summer you performed at the “Schlagerboom” in Kitzbühel. Were you not afraid of alienating your fans?

I like hits! They are rhythmic and put you in a good mood. Austrian and German songs are often funny too. But I can't sing along, I just pretend and like to sway along (laughs).

Would you like it if your songs were covered in German?

Sure. Everyone is warmly invited! Try it, I give you my blessing.

The first song on your album - “Best Days”, in German “Tage wie diese” - was written by Campino from Die Toten Hosen. Have you met him?

Unfortunately not. Apart from Peter Maffay, I didn't meet any of the twelve performers. But I have to say about Campino: He sent me the song as a demo in April last year because he heard that I wanted to cover it. If I'm honest: I didn't recognise his voice and didn't know who the song was by. But I thought he was great. I really want to meet Die Toten Hosen sometime.

And you'll be going on his Farewell Tour with Peter Maffay in 2024. How long have you known each other?

I had heard of him but never met him until working on the covers album. We then saw each other live for the first time on Facetime. He is a humble, lovely, friendly and funny gentleman. He said we should sing his song "So bist du" together. I then translated the song into English in a very short time, "Just you", sang it with my voice for two parts, and then I sent Peter the whole thing. Going on tour with him to big stadiums will be unbelievable. He is a true musician. I love his vibe.

How did you actually choose the twelve German songs, including “Cello” by Udo Lindenberg, “An Guten Tagen” by Johannes Oerding and “Still Loving You” by the Scorpions?

The songs with German lyrics always have to be translated first and then see if it works. Some of the songs that ultimately made it onto the album weren’t even the first choice at the beginning. For example, we decided on “Supergirl” by Reamonn rather late, but I love the song!

What makes a Supergirl for you?

It can mean anything! The beauty of the song is that it just...says you don't have to apologise for who you are, and that you should accept yourself as you are. Many young girls are insecure and compare themselves to others, but they shouldn't.

Do you have a superpower yourself?

I don't see myself as a superwoman, but I believe in myself and know what I can do. Naturally I had to learn that first. I would like to have a superpower, but at least I can help other people with my music. If there's anything I'm good at, it's singing.

If your voice isn't your superpower, at least it's your Capital. Have you insured it?

I'm fully insured, so yes. This is actually not unimportant.

How great is your fear of losing your voice?

I take good care of myself and am very strict when it comes to going out, for example. I don't go out that often - least of all when I'm on tour. I isolate myself and give my all on stage. I'm not worried about my voice, but I've had various problems and of course I know how to deal with myself.

Are you referring to your cancer, which resulted in the loss of your breasts?

My double mastectomy in 2013 was one of the biggest losses ever for me. The thought of having my breasts removed not only challenged my sense of femininity, but also meant that I would have very large scars. The entire process involved seven operations spread over two years.

Have you gained anything from your fight against cancer?

I was very fortunate that the breast cancer was discovered in the early stages in 2003 and 2013, so my chances of survival were good. To get through everything well, I decided to focus on the first three letters of the word cancer. Can - I can. I can survive and I can find my femininity again after having my breasts removed.

Has fighting the disease helped you gain more mental strength?

I think I've always had that. Even as a child, I had a survival strategy. I was twelve and took my Barbies to an imaginary hospital when they were sick (laughs). I have always been strong inside.

How is your health now?

I'm happy to say today that I feel great and my health couldn't be better.

Maybe a happy relationship also contributes to this?

No, I'm happily single.

Where do you currently live?

In Denver, Colorado. A beautiful country with mountains and great views.

We read that you have a Yorkshire terrier named Broady and a godchild named Bobbi-Loua, the daughter of your Belgian colleague Natalia. What do they mean to you?

They ground me and are a part of my normal life. If you have animals or children, home feels like home.

Is there anything else you want from life?

No, at 55 years old I couldn't ask for a different life than the one I have now.

Hungary! Anastacia will perform at the Paloznaki Jazzpiknik festival on 1st August next year.Tickets: https://bit.ly/3Te...
06/12/2023

Hungary! Anastacia will perform at the Paloznaki Jazzpiknik festival on 1st August next year.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/3TeoM1O

Anastacia performs in Erfurt5th December 2023📷 Michael Kremer /
06/12/2023

Anastacia performs in Erfurt

5th December 2023

📷 Michael Kremer /

Ladies and gentlemen... Anastacia!
05/12/2023

Ladies and gentlemen... Anastacia!

Anastacia performs in Oberhausen3rd December 2023
05/12/2023

Anastacia performs in Oberhausen

3rd December 2023

Anastacia performs in Mannheim1st December 2023
04/12/2023

Anastacia performs in Mannheim

1st December 2023

Anastacia performs at Night of the Proms in Mannheim1st December 2023
03/12/2023

Anastacia performs at Night of the Proms in Mannheim

1st December 2023

01/12/2023

A video message from Anastacia

Happy Friday! Check out this unseen shot of Anastacia in a Finnish magazine during the Resurrection era | 2014
01/12/2023

Happy Friday! Check out this unseen shot of Anastacia in a Finnish magazine during the Resurrection era | 2014

Anastacia's performance on RTL Die Ultimative Chart Show will air on Friday, 29th December at 20:15. The theme is "most ...
30/11/2023

Anastacia's performance on RTL Die Ultimative Chart Show will air on Friday, 29th December at 20:15.

The theme is "most successful singles of all time", what do you think she will perform?

Anastacia and Peter Maffay on Kiwis große Partynacht - the show will air on 24th March 2024
29/11/2023

Anastacia and Peter Maffay on Kiwis große Partynacht - the show will air on 24th March 2024

Night of the Proms will be televised by VRT 1 at 11pm on 1st January, with a repeat broadcast on 6th January
28/11/2023

Night of the Proms will be televised by VRT 1 at 11pm on 1st January, with a repeat broadcast on 6th January

Anastacia looking stunning backstage at Night of the Proms
27/11/2023

Anastacia looking stunning backstage at Night of the Proms

Anastacia and Toto at Night of the Proms in Antwerp 24th November 2023
27/11/2023

Anastacia and Toto at Night of the Proms in Antwerp

24th November 2023

TV Report: Anastacia talks to VTM Nieuws at Night of the Proms
26/11/2023

TV Report: Anastacia talks to VTM Nieuws at Night of the Proms

Anastacia performs at the first show of Night of the Proms in Antwerp, Belgium24th November 2023Setlist:Left Outside Alo...
25/11/2023

Anastacia performs at the first show of Night of the Proms in Antwerp, Belgium

24th November 2023

Setlist:

Left Outside Alone
Sick and Tired
Still Loving You
I'm Outta Love
Broken Strings (with James Morrison)
Hold The Line (with Toto)

Videos in the comments!

Interview: Anastacia is featured in VorSicht Journal.US pop star Anastacia is currently causing a stir in Germany: she h...
24/11/2023

Interview: Anastacia is featured in VorSicht Journal.

US pop star Anastacia is currently causing a stir in Germany: she has recorded an entire album with English-language cover versions of hits by Udo Lindenberg, Peter Maffay, Silbermond, die Toten Hosen and Sarah Connor - and is doing them internationally.

VorSicht: On your new album "Our Songs" you sing the biggest hits of recent German pop history. Do your new versions have the potential to become international hits or is it more of a party record for a German audience?

Anastacia: I think they are all great, but not all of them could become international hits. I chose “Cello” by Udo Lindenberg because the original song is so beautiful. Did I think it was a big pop hit that could be played a million times on the radio? No. I didn't pay attention to whether a song was the biggest success, I was more interested in the sound. First came the music and then I looked at what the song meant in terms of content.

VorSicht: “Best Days" is a freely translated interpretation of the hit "Tage wie diese" by the German punk rock band Die Toten Hosen. Do you like punk rock?

Anastacia: I never followed punk rock, but I always liked the energy it radiates. I never wanted to be in the mosh pit and I never surfed in the crowd. The punks are way tougher than I can ever be. But I was really honoured that Campino wanted to give me this song. He thought I could do a good job with his piece. My producer was also very upset because Campino isn't interested in other people ruining his songs. So he sent me a demo with his English lyrics "Best Days" and I thought he had hired another demo singer.

VorSicht: And - did he?

Anastacia: No, it was himself and he sounded British. Because his mother is British. Campino is amazing. He has that punk quality better than anyone else. And now I know where that comes from. When I recorded "Best Days", I really hoped he would like it. Campino was even quoted as saying: "She sings it better than me." Oh my God! I would love to sing the song with him on stage and enjoy the energy of his band.

VorSicht: The lyrics of "Best Days" describe the feeling of always having hope within you and to stay strong even in difficult times. Why does this text fit you so well?

Anastacia: Campino wrote it as if he had gone into my brain. And he was also able to formulate the words in authentic English. Of course, it makes the band even more likeable to me that they could write such a beautiful song from the heart. This is a perfect title for me.

VorSicht: Is the process of covering German songs much more complicated than that of English ones?

Anastacia: Definitely. The biggest The problem for me was the translation itself. I first had to find out the content of each song line by line using Google Translate. And then a professional translator made the whole thing readable. But it wasn't singable yet because it had no rhyme scheme and the tempo and syllables weren't right. Because you have to make lines of text sound as if they were melodies. I was given long descriptions, like what this little line meant, and I had to fit it into three syllables. Or I had to fit two words into 15 syllables. That was pretty interesting.

VorSicht: Which German song particularly challenged you when covering it?

Anastacia: “Cello" was very special because it tells a story in the style of Bob Dylan. I love this song. I could never have written this in my life, but I was so excited to sing it. For me these lyrics are a work of art. German music is so diverse. I have recorded songs by punkers, indie bands and pop girls. I describe myself as a Sprock artist: soul, pop, rock. That also has to do with how my voice sounds. If I sing someone else’s song, when I sing it, I immediately make it my own. This album confused a lot of people when they tried to figure out what the German original is.

VorSicht: Why does “Still Loving You” by the Scorpions suit you, your story, your personality?

Anastacia: I had already made the rock album "It's a Man's World" and knew that this sound was in my camp. I liked what the Scorpions song said and how it was structured. The rock girl in me cheered when she found out the Scorpions were German. I don't think I really knew, I thought they were American or English. Some people asked me why I didn't sing "Wind of Change," but I wanted to love about something else.

VorSicht: You sing the 2005 hit "Monsoon" from Tokio Hotel. The Kaulitz brothers were still half children back then. Can you hear that from the original?

Anastacia: I didn't notice that in the song. I wasn't sure if I could sing it, but the moment I got on the microphone I realized it was great material for me. I find the German version "Durch den Monsun" stronger than the English one. When I sang it, I immediately felt energy and absorbed the mood of the song. I gave it a boost. Now it has something that would have been a really big hit. It needed this push.

VorSicht: “If America becomes a totalitarian, Hitleresque place, I have no problem leaving,” you said in an interview with a major German newspaper in 2017. Will you leave in the event of a new Donald Trump victory - perhaps even to Germany?

Anastacia: I now live in Denver/Colorado. We have a gay governor in his second term. 70 percent voted for him. Republicans and Democrats live there because they care about this state. Colorado cares about its citizens. We have a high minimum wage and the streets are clean. I don't know what will happen to my entire country if Trump comes back into office. There's always another country you can go to, but I just hope that the younger generation will make it harder for you in this case.

Anastacia on live music show 'Your Songs' - airing on 15th December.Next stop: Night of the Proms starts in Antwerp, Bel...
21/11/2023

Anastacia on live music show 'Your Songs' - airing on 15th December.

Next stop: Night of the Proms starts in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday!

UK fans! You'll be able to pick up a copy of Our Songs in-store and online at HMV from 24th November.
20/11/2023

UK fans! You'll be able to pick up a copy of Our Songs in-store and online at HMV from 24th November.

Anastacia with singer Sonia Liebing at Die Giovanni Zarrella Show18th November 2023
20/11/2023

Anastacia with singer Sonia Liebing at Die Giovanni Zarrella Show

18th November 2023

Anastacia and Peter Maffay on Die Giovanni Zarrella Show yesterday 18th November 2023
19/11/2023

Anastacia and Peter Maffay on Die Giovanni Zarrella Show yesterday

18th November 2023

Interview: Qobuz MagazinAnastacia is back - in German! In her new album “Our Songs”, the American superstar covers legen...
15/11/2023

Interview: Qobuz Magazin

Anastacia is back - in German! In her new album “Our Songs”, the American superstar covers legendary German hits in English by Die Toten Hosen, Udo Lindenberg and Tokio Hotel. In an exclusive interview, the singer tells us more about the extraordinary project and what she was able to learn from the German music world!

Germany loves Anastacia and the artist herself tells us about her personal connection: “My relationship with Germany has been great from the beginning of my career. The German audience has always accepted me for who I am, how I sing, how I look, the mood that I radiate. I wasn't the typical artist out there and even though I sang cool pop music, I didn't look like everyone else... I didn't wear dresses, I was a bit of a "rocker chick" and of course I wore those tinted glasses, that had never been worn by female artists in the younger music industry…”

Now the American pop star is even dedicating her own album to this special friendship. With Our Songs, Anastacia presents us with a unique project in which she covers German hits in English - Udo Lindenberg, Peter Maffay & Co. We can now experience it more internationally than ever before! In a few personal Whatsapp voice recordings, she tells us how this extraordinary idea came about and what Anastacia herself is so excited about about in German music...

Your last album came out in 2017. How have things been for you over the last few years? Does this very special project feel a bit like a small comeback?

A bit of a comeback? I didn't even know I went anywhere. I think we all went somewhere during the pandemic, but I worked until the pandemic started. I was on tour in Australia. So... There's a lot going on in my life, I don't take that much time for myself. I think the pandemic was the longest time I haven't been sick in forever!

Where does your special connection to Germany come from and how did you come up with the idea of covering famous German hits in English?

The idea for this project was brought to me and my manager by a producer named Christian Geller. He actually had the idea that I wanted to cover German songs. At first I was confused because - unfortunately - I neither sing in German nor really speak German. He then corrected himself and said: “No, I want you to sing German songs, but I want us to translate them into English.” At first I didn't quite understand what that could be or how it could work? He then introduced me to some German artists who sang English songs, such as Scorpions and Alphaville, so I understood the idea, but wasn't really sure if I could have easily translated great hits from Germany into English.

Long story short — Campino, the lead singer of Die Toten Hosen, heard about the project and was interested. He wanted to send me one of his songs (Tage wie diese) and turned the original version into Best Days and so that became my first translated single. He also gave me the vision that this was really possible and that I could make an album out of it.

Do you also have a favorite German artist?

In recent years I haven't been that interested in German music because I didn't understand the content enough. I could hear a good song, but I was unsure because I couldn't understand the lyrics. This project definitely made me aware of great musicians and artists. I didn't know who Udo Lindenberg or Johannes Oerding were. The project simply opened my eyes to other artists out there who are just as good, if not better than those who sing in my own language. So I wouldn't say that there is a favorite, but that I'm slowly starting to have a love affair with all music from Germany!

How do you see the differences between the American and German music industries or audiences?

I think the only difference between American and German music is the language. And since American/English-speaking music lovers don't like it when songs are necessarily sung in another language, they are very selective in this regard as music listeners.

I think that the food culture from different countries is a very interesting way to introduce the music of other countries into American musical philosophy. For example, if you go to an Italian restaurant and their local music is playing, Italian food immediately brings with it Italian music. Or Mexican food or Spanish food, you hear flamenco or Mexican mariachi music. I think the ironic thing is that it's been seeping into us for so long and now it seems like hip-hop has fused with reggaeton and salsa and Latin music. And I could definitely hear this fusion of German and English music, but I don't really know what the official German "music sound" is other than Schlager — maybe you can help me with that?

Will there be other similar projects? Maybe next time you will sing in German yourself?

I've been asked for 25 years whether I would sing or speak in German. I wish! It's a very difficult language and I don't say that because I'm lazy. I've even had a teacher try to work with me and understand the verbs, but I just don't think my brain can connect sentences and form sentences. I learned French at school and that had a huge impact on me. I also learned some Spanish because a lot of people in the US speak Spanish. I don't get along with the German language that easily... But I love music and I love breaking down and understanding the meaning of a German song, and then the love of the song became a connection for me. I don't know if I would ever sing in German in my life because I wouldn't want to spoil a song...

The new album 'Our Songs' is available now.

Anastacia at Kiwis große Partynacht - the show will air on 24th March 2024📷 Kathi M***a
14/11/2023

Anastacia at Kiwis große Partynacht - the show will air on 24th March 2024

📷 Kathi M***a

Interview: Backstage With AnastaciaAnastacia, for your new album you recorded some big hits from recent German pop histo...
11/11/2023

Interview: Backstage With Anastacia

Anastacia, for your new album you recorded some big hits from recent German pop history in English. How did you come up with the idea?

Anastacia: My producer suggested doing a German covers album and at first I thought that meant I should sing in German. I loved the idea, but there was no way I should ever sing in German (laughs)! When I realised that there was talk of English-language versions by German artists, I was initially skeptical. I wondered if people really needed this. English-language films and series are translated in Germany, so why would anyone want to hear German songs in English?

What convinced you?

I started thinking about the idea and then Campino from Die Toten Hosen came into play pretty quickly. He sent me his translation of “Tage wie diese” and I was surprised that this German song had suddenly become an English one. It was just as big a hit, but in a different way and I realised: It's possible! “Best Days” is incredible! I could have written the song exactly like that, it speaks completely from my heart. That released my creative juices and I thought: If it works on this song, it can work on others too. Unfortunately, German music doesn't have much export. I don't know why, but the world doesn't hear all these great songs. Maybe I can change that a bit with my album.

What do you associate with Germany?

I actually feel like there was a strong connection from the beginning. For example, I like the direct and precise nature of the Germans. I'm from Chicago and live in New York, I'm similar! You say hey, how are you, but you don't do a lot of small talk. This has nothing to do with unfriendliness. By the way, on my tours I always try to learn little nuances about every place I go. About the different regions of Germany, whether there might be different slang there or whatever.

Is the German audience different?

I don't know if they are different. People have passion in every country, it just expresses itself differently. But over the last 20 years I've noticed that a lot more people understand my bad jokes (laughs). My jokes are different every night because I just say whatever comes to mind. That's how I am. And the cool thing is – maybe thanks to the internet or something – that English seems to be understood even better now.

Can you still remember your first show in Germany?

My first appearance was almost certainly on a TV show because before my tour started I did a lot of promo. The first real concert would have to have been Rock am Ring 2001. I remember it very well because we later used the material for the music video for my fourth single “Made For Lovin’ You”. It was so cold and windy – I still remember my scarf flapping in the wind. But the audience was on fire and I was surprised at how warmly I was received. I was a little girl from America who had never crossed the Atlantic, and suddenly there were people standing there singing along to my songs. It gave me such a kick to see how music can travel to another country and be loved there just as much. Even later, I never took it for granted.

Do you have stage fright?

No, not usually. But when I perform with other artists, this has happened to me a few times - especially when I sing a song live for the first time.

You originally started out as a dancer and were featured in a few Salt 'n' Pepa music videos in the '90s. When did you develop the desire to be on stage as a singer?

My mother encouraged me to sing from an early age because she knew I could do it, that I had the spark. She was an actress herself, my father was a singer – a crooner like Frank Sinatra. They noticed early on that I had talent. When my mom went to auditions and had me there, people often said they wanted me! So she always encouraged me to do musical theater or something like that. But the thing is, I just didn't like auditions. Whenever my mother told me about one again, at some point I just wouldn't go. At first she thought I wasn't taken, until she eventually realised I wasn't even there. I just didn't have any fun with it! That's the part I still don't like about this business: the competition!

Why?

It's the kind of philosophy that plays tricks on your brain when it says, "What if you're number 2?" But what happens then? Then you're number 2! I don't make music because I want to be number 1, but because I love it. And I'm grateful that people like my music and that I can still do this after all these years!

Can you describe what goes through your mind when you go on stage?

I like to think that no one in the audience has ever seen me live. It's my job to give these people a good show. Of course there are people who are super fans that I see again and again, but there are also people who haven't seen me in ten years or have never seen me before. I have to convince them! I want to offer them an experience. That's why I'm always very professional. If I have a show the next day, I don't go out in the evening. I can do that when I'm free. I don't have to go to any parties or openings just to be photographed. I was never like that.

Which of your previous concerts will you never forget?

There are so many! I have sung with such wonderful people as Pavarotti, Elton John, Céline Dion, Jamiroquai, Paul McCartney and Eros Ramazzotti, and now Peter Maffay was added. These are all memories I will never forget! It was really surreal. I heard Elton John's music when I was five! It's really crazy that I was able to experience all of this.

Next up for you are two special tours: In December you'll be on stage at the Night Of The Proms, and in 2024 you'll be touring with Peter Maffay. What can people expect?

I was at the Night Of The Proms a while ago and I'm really happy that I can perform there again. What I love about it is both the variety of artists that appear on the show and the opportunity to work with an orchestra and create versions of my songs that sound like soundtracks. As far as the tour with Peter Maffay is concerned, I don't know what people can expect at this point! We are still at the very beginning of the preparations, but I am very happy that Peter invited me.

What are your dreams for the future?

Honestly, I never really think about what's next. For example, I never thought that I would make an album with cover versions of German songs! Whatever comes next, I suppose, as long as my gut feeling is right. But I don't have a bucket list that I'm working on.

In December Anastacia will tour Germany as part of the Night of The Proms. In 2024 she will be a special guest on Peter Maffay's farewell tour.

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