Kim Wilde: a heart for the taking

After five years of absence, the enfant terrible of British rock is back on the scene with a new album, ‘Now and forever’ (MCA), and a musical ‘Tommy’.

Rock star of the Eighties (Kids in America, Water on glass, Cambodia …), Kim Wilde had suddenly disappeared. For her comeback, the British chanteuse made a stop in Paris for the promotion of Now and Forever. She will soon be on stage in the musical Tommy.

You’ve changed, you’re thinner and your look is wiser …
I feel physically better. I am on a diet and eat more healthily. I’m more disciplined. I do sports, gymnastics and roller blade.

You said: ‘This record is me.’ Explain yourself …
I decided that Now and Forever would be a step in my career. And I worked with English and American authors of soul music.

Love always seems to be your inspiration …
I think it is because I still have not found the man of my life.

The words of ‘Breaking Away’, the single, rather bitter in taste. You seem to want someone …
Love should lead to happy things … But I’ve had bad experiences and I felt confusion, was troubled. This I translated in the album. Breaking away is the first song that I have chosen. It says to seek happiness by oneself and not through someone else. This album was my therapy. At present, I have more confidence in myself.

A tour is planned?
Not at the moment, because I am the star of Tommy, the rock opera in 1980 by the Who. I’m really happy. It is a challenge.

What happened to you in 1990 when you were about to drop everything?
I got tired of the city and no longer being myself. I needed to know if I still wanted to be an artist. I was no longer sure. I was thirty years old, I wanted to be married, have children, a big house. But none of this happened. I started to hate my career. I decided to move to the country and I began to rewrite and change my way of life. I take more time for myself.

You are at your tenth album. This is the one you are most proud?
I am proud of all my albums. This one helped me feel better. I have a special affection for it.