My new album was inspired by CAPTĀIN SIR TOM'

We talk to Michael Bublé about his new album, his family and pandemic hero

-  JORDAN PARAMOR

Michael Bublé, 46, has lots of reasons to celebrate right now. He's just released his new album, Higher, and is over the moon to be welcoming his fourth child with actor wife Luisana Lopilato, 34, later this year. We caught up with the Canadian crooner for a chat.

Does Higher have a special significance to you?

Every song that I did was personal and meaningful. And the song Smile came about because of Captain Sir Tom.

How come?

Because I saw this incredibly beautiful dude raise millions. I was reading about him every day during the first lockdown and I got goosebumps. We contacted his family and I said how much I admired him, and his family told me that his favorite song is Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again. I did a recording of it in my house and made a music video with my kids and some friends remotely. I only made one copy and I sent it to him, and the family sent me a movie of him watching it. I just thought he was the greatest guy.

He did give us all hope.

In such a dark time, just to know that there are people out there who are so selfless and good… When people are scared they can lose their empathy, sound mind, and the love we have for each other and ourselves. When Captain Sir Tom passed away, his daughter wrote and said, ‘Could you do something for his funeral?’ I recorded Smile and that was the only song they played. That’s where the whole album began.

So your new album was inspired by Captain Sir Tom?