60 Seconds with singer Seal
Published November 15, 2017
What inspired your new album, Standards?
The same as every album I make —
You worked with some of the musicians Frank Sinatra worked with. What did that feel like?
It was the best part. It was so fulfilling —
Is making albums in this way quite an unusual experience now?
That’s how I was brought up to make them with my mentor Trevor Horn —
How has the industry changed throughout your career?
The development of artists has been forgotten. It’s obsolete. You’re dealing with diminished returns caused by copyright violation, so record companies don’t invest as much as they used to. If my first single didn’t hit, the record company moved on to the second single —
Did the Christmas songs on the album put you in a festive mood?
Yes, I guess they did. Every year when Christmas comes around, my kids ask when I’m going to do a Christmas song and I haven’t before so I’ve recorded a couple on this album to give them something to listen to.
What’s the best Christmas present you’ve received?
Just being with my kids and them being healthy and happy over Christmas, that’s the best gift I’ll ever receive.
You’re a judge on The Voice Australia. Would you fancy doing it here?
Only if it was authentic. My favourite part of the Voice experience is working with the artists.
The Voice hasn’t produced a successful act yet —
Because of the bulls*** deals they’re locked into afterwards. It’s not about them being developed by great managers or a great record company —
You and your ex-wife Heidi Klum were famed for your Halloween outfits. Did you have a favourite?
The most exotic one was when we were chimpanzees. My ex-wife got the person who did the make-up on Planet Of The Apes to put the prosthetics on us, which was memorable. We had them glued to our faces, which was very uncomfortable.
Do you regret going on Loose Women and telling Coleen Nolan you don’t like her song I’m In The Mood For Dancing?
Did I say that? I don’t remember it. I’m sure it was all in good fun!
You’ve lived in the US for more than 20 years. What do you miss about the UK?
The fact we don’t have guns. The fact you can’t go into a shop and buy a semi-automatic assault rifle along with your trainers. That’s something I miss about England… among other things.
Standards is out now