If the circumstances weren't so grim, you might say Enrique Iglesias had great luck. Before the terrorist attacks of September 11, the Latin heartthrob had already decided to release the love song "Hero" as the first single from his new album, Escape. In light of that day's devastating events, the title of the song has taken on a new meaning and it has been re-appropriated as an anthem of hope. Iglesias says he's happy to have the song's message reinterpreted if it helps Americans deal with their grief.

The best-selling Spanish-language artist in the world has more surprises in store on the album, slated for release on October 30. For the follow-up to his multi-platinum English-language debut, 1999's Enrique, Iglesias took his time crafting new dance tracks such as "Don't Turn Off the Lights" and the title song, not worrying whether his audience would be scared off by his "crazier" sound.

Iglesias sat down with MTV News' SuChin Pak and explained how Mickey Rourke ended up in the "Hero" video, how he writes his songs and why he'll soon be sharing the screen with Johnny Depp and Antonio Banderas.

SuChin Pak: You performed "Hero" at the "America: A Tribute to Heroes" event. What was that experience like?

Enrique Iglesias: I was so nervous. It was an honor that they picked me to sing a song, but what really felt good was that I was walking around and it was all legends. I was thinking, "Please don't let me forget the lyrics." Because it's the kind of song that if you forget a lyric, it's going to be so obvious.

Pak: It's a love song, but a lot of people are interpreting it differently now. Are you OK with that, or are you afraid that it's always going to be remembered as the "World Trade Center tribute song"?

Iglesias: Not really. Once you listen to the lyrics, and once you've seen the video, it takes you in another [direction]. I think the song is doing well because it is a love song. I remember hearing a [radio edit of the] song with interludes of President Bush talking on top of it ... and it was kind of strange, because that's not what I wrote the song for. But if it makes people feel better, and it's something positive, that's good. This might sound corny, but I think what we need now is love. More than ever. I don't think people will [connect] it to the tribute. I think they'll look back and go, "That song made me feel better."