Colombian rocker Juanes is currently enjoying the fruits of crossover success — without ever having sung a note in English.

The singer's lush sound is a blend of traditional Colombian styles, pop smarts and arena-rock fundamentals, anchored by thoughtful lyrical musings on romance, politics and family.

Juanes insists his approach is propelled by basic emotions and the simple need to express himself.

"I think that what is guiding me mostly is feeling — let's say the necessity that I have to express things," Juanes says. The second leg of his worldwide Mi Sangre tour hits Houston Feb. 16 at the Verizon Wireless Theater.

"All the songs that I write have to do with life in general, with everything that happens from day to day," he adds. "In there is included my family, my daughters, but also my roots and the situation that the world is in. All of that, and the way in which it is affecting me. All of that is what moves the songs."

Juanes' third album, 2004's Mi Sangre (My Blood), was recognized in January for U.S. sales of more than 900,000 copies and a worldwide tally exceeding 2.3 million.

Current single Lo Que Me Gusta a Mi is rapidly ascending the singles list. Mi Sangre has spawned three No. 1 singles including the inescapable cumbiaLa Camisa Negra, which also was a chart-topper in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.

"The most beautiful thing, brother, is that I can sing in Spanish and that I'm reaching places where no one understands the words. They understand the language of the melody and the feeling," Juanes says.

Some of those places include the World Cup 2006 selection ceremony and the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in December. Juanes performed en español during both events. Last year, Time magazine also named him one of the world's 100 most influential people, and Juanes recently returned to The Tonight Show With Jay Leno for his second Spanish-language performance.

"That's what has me the happiest — to be able to have the opportunity to do it in my language, which is natural for me," Juanes says. "To change, to try to sing in English, is strange. I feel much closer to my people, I feel more honest this way — thinking about and feeling the song. I'm not thinking about the pronunciation."

The introverted singer, whose real name is Juan Esteban Aristizaba, shows little interest in recording an English-language album, which is usually a requirement for crossover hopefuls. He even famously rebuffed a personal duet request from Jennifer Lopez.

Famed alt-rock Latino producer Gustavo Santaolalla, Oscar nominated for his majestic Brokeback Mountain score, has helped Juanes define and refine his unique sound. The pair collaborated on all three of Juanes' solo discs.

His chemistry with Juanes is exceptional. The fire and passion that runs throughout Mi Sangre is palpable, an intoxicating mix of earnest, intelligent lyricism and razor-sharp instrumentation.

Wicked kiss-off cumbiaLa Camisa Negra and the hopeful romance of Volverte a Ver are addictive, but Mi Sangre overflows with musical riches beyond the radio hits. Que Pasa questions the state of world affairs, and Suenos finds Juanes dreaming of a better tomorrow. No Siento Penas is a lilting love poem that rides a Beatles-esque pop groove, and Amame is a psychedelic mix of jangly guitars and synth beats.

"(Recording an album) is a very long and very traumatic process. Every time I'm in an album, when I'm writing the songs, I'm always doubting myself. You never know how people are going to take it," Juanes says. "When it's out for the public, you no longer have control of what is happening. The people can like it, or they can not like it. Fortunately, all of the fans have been very, very, very, great. I'm happy with that."