Still So Romantic Engelbert Sings A Love Letter To His Wife

Engelbert Humperdinck has sold 150 million albums worldwide and recently celebrated his 50th year in show business. Now he has released his latest, and very personal, album. He spoke to Rachel Banham.

There could surely be few more poignant reasons for going into the recording studio. Engelbert Humperdinck’s latest album is a love letter to Patricia, his wife of 53 years, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Including songs by Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Willie Nelson, Jon Allen and Richard Marx and Fee Waybill among others, The Man I Want To Be is Engelbert’s first album of original material in more than a decade.

It will doubtless please his loyal fans – and win him many new ones.

In addition to the collection of love songs crafted by an array of songwriters, the album includes two cover versions - Ed Sheeran’s Photograph and Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are.

Still, Engelbert has made each track his own.

But, bearing in mind that it was for his wife Patricia, was recording the songs for the album a difficult experience?

“Some of them have more heart in them than some of the other songs because it’s involved with my wife,” Engelbert, 81, says.

“But I was able to do it and it’s a great tribute to her. And I certainly hope that it can relate to other people in the public who have the same sort of thing happening in their lives.”

While Engelbert says he enjoys singing all the songs, one written by singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who was brought up in Framlingham in Suffolk, is particularly special.

“I think they are all pretty much on the same level,” Engelbert says of the songs on the album.