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Ten of the best Shania Twain tunes
Shania Twain is the queen of the country-pop crossover, and to prepare for her tour Down Under we’ve picked out our favourite back-catalogue gems.
Long before Taylor Swift surprised everyone with her country-jams-to-pop-superstar makeover, Canadian powerhouse Shania Twain was paving the way. Among one of the best-selling artists of all time, Twain’s back catalogue is filled to the brim with bangers – from huge pop numbers to soaring ballads, fiddle solos to electric guitar shreds, Twain has covered a lot of ground.
As we prepare for her comeback Down Under, a return we’ve been waiting almost two decades for, we decided to take a Shania Twain deep dive and handpick our favourite tracks.
10. Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)
That glorious, glorious fiddle line. While not one of Shania’s biggest chart successes, Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) is definitely one of her catchiest moments.
9. Life’s About To Get Good
Is there anything more nerve-wracking than having to write a comeback song – especially after 15 years away from the scene? Well on Life’s About To Get Good, Shania proved that it isn’t really that hard. Bringing together the elements we’ve always loved about her back catalogue, with a modern, beachy vibe and one heck of a joyous chorus – we’re all really glad Shania came back to us.
8. Any Man Of Mine
With its pedal steel-led chorus and kick-drum beat, Shania’s first number one single was the perfect bridge between her country roots and her pop/rock regeneration. Throughout her career, she continued to prove that she doesn’t have time for a sub-par man, and no matter the style we are here for it.
7. Honey, I’m Home
While not Shania’s finest lyrical hour, Honey, I’m Home is one of many female empowerment anthems featured throughout her career. It’s not only the girl power that hits hard here – the pop-rock/country-twang crossover makes this tune perfect for a little boogie.
6. If You’re Not in It for Love (I’m Outta Here)
The ultimate throwdown to every slimy pick-up line ever spoken, If You’re Not in It for Love (I’m Outta Here) drips with attitude from its slinky opening. It was also a huge style shake-up in Shania’s career – suddenly the Country Queen had a hard-rock edge. Also, we can’t go passed a track that offers an invitation for a communal hand clap.
5. Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
While Shania’s late ‘90s releases upped the pop-factor, this is an absolute country bop. With its clever, tongue-in-cheek lyrics (that surely had some eyebrows raising back in 1995) and complete with enough fiddle, pedal steel, and Western swing for your yearly fix, it’s no wonder Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? remains one of Shania’s most-loved tracks.
4. From This Moment On
We’ll admit, the original version of this track is a little bland, but when Shania ditched the Bryan White guest vocals and added the Spanish-inspired guitar riff, From This Moment On became not only one of her most memorable singles, but also her most powerful vocal performance. The lush, downtempo arrangement and sweeping strings carry the track, but Shania’s soaring vocals take it to dizzying heights.
3. You’re Still The One
Nowadays couples take to Instagram to shut down media speculation relating to their relationships, but back in 1998 Shania and her then-husband had to respond to their criticism through song. Twenty years later and You’re Still The One is a staple on every wedding playlist – and in every karaoke booth – ever.
2. That Don’t Impress Me Much
Dddddaaammmmmnnnnn Shania, this song is sweet burn after sweet burn. Is there a greater line ever spoken in the history of the English language than “Okay, so you’re Brad Pitt? That don’t impress me much.” I’ll wait for you to find one.
It’s the deadpan confidence Shania delivers that line– and every other beautiful sarcastic insult – with that really makes That Don’t Impress Me Much the glorious bit of country-pop it is. Throw in the leopard print three-piece she’s rocking in the middle of the desert for the song’s video and you’ve got a real moment.
1. Man! I Feel Like A Woman
Let’s set the scene – it’s 1997, suddenly mesh veils and top hats are all the rage, the short skirt-men’s shirt combo is everywhere, people are going crazy, oh oh oh.
Right from the opening call to action of “Let’s go girls,” Shania goes hard. This track is the female empowerment anthem we all needed – rumour has it this song was the inspiration behind Beyonce’s Single Ladies. If the lyrics weren’t enough, add in that strut-worthy guitar riff and you’ve got the perfect way to spend four minutes.