10 Essential Songs from Shania Twain

She’s talented, she’s beautiful — seriously, one of the best bellies in the biz — and when Shania Twain came onto the country music scene in 1993, she made sure that women knew it was okay to “feel like a woman!” Shania has been a little quieter lately, but she left such a mark on the history of country music that we still recognize those hits and have to sing along. If you missed out on early Shania, we have a list of essential Twain Twacks (see what we did there?), for you or any country music lover.

(Arranged chronologically)

“What Made You Say That” – from Shania Twain
Written by Tony Haselden, Stan Munsey, Jr.
This was far from Shania’s biggest hit, but it’s honestly a fun, bouncy introduction that suited her personality, and combined with a sweetly sexy video with plenty of the aforementioned belly baring, it may not have been a chart topper, but it certainly piqued interested and whetted appetites for more.

“Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” – from The Woman in Me
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
It was her first No.1 single, but it also started off a string of six consecutive No.1’s from ONE ALBUM! Practically unheard of. On its own, though, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under” is a smash full of sugary swagger and one of the hookiest choruses in the history of country music. It’s just fun to sing along to. Try it… “Whose bed have your boots been und-uhhhh…and whose heart did you steal I won-duhhh…”

“Any Man of Mine” – from The Woman in Me
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
Sweet Shania made it okay for women to take the upper hand in a relationship (even if only temporarily). A little bit sassy… okay, a LOT sassy, this hit was another one for women to sing, or scream, along to and oh, did they! “You gotta shimmy, shake, make the earth quake. Kick, turn…stomp-stomp.”

“(If You’re Not In It for Love) I’m Outta Here!” – from The Woman in Me
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
With this often forgotten, but uber high-octane No.1, Shania started showing off her pop chops. With a huskier vocal and edgier production, which matched the kiss-off message, this rapidly rising country star proved her business acumen with a smart and subtle evolution. The equally energetic video, full of hip and cool dancers, also revealed more of the belly button that made Nashville famous.

“No One Needs to Know” – from The Woman in Me
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
Shania could have easily been know as the Queen of Sing-Alongs. Her songs beg for audience participation from start to finish and this one is no different. Shania made a full-blown secret crush into a precious smash that it made it okay for adult women to dream about “the white dress, the guests, the cake, the car, the whole darn thing,” and we bet there was a surge in pups named Leroy, too!

“God Bless the Child” – from The Woman in Me
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
Not just another pretty face. Not even just another clever lyric or catchy melody. Shania Twain had serious pipes and in this song, the final release from the insanely popular The Woman in Me, she flexed that vocal muscle. Maybe radio didn’t know what to do with this version of their Canuck since the song peaked at No.7, but it’s likely Shania didn’t care. And we didn’t either. It’s amazing.

“You’re Still the One” – from Come On Over
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
It was her first hit to officially go to pop radio and it served her well, peaking at No.2 on the charts for darn good reason. Based on truth and inspired by skeptics who criticized her marriage to co-writer and producer Mutt Lange, the track is as pure a love song as they come with an honest and real lyric that was relatable whether country music superstar or grocery checker. Unfortunately, Shania and Mutt’s marriage wasn’t as timeless as the tune. The couple divorced in 2010 after 17 years of marriage.

“Man! I Feel Like a Woman” – from Come On Over
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
While Shania and Mutt kicked off the Come On Over album showing her serious side, tracks like the romping “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” proved that the saucy songbird still had a sense of humor. Once again, she was empowering women to take control of their own lives and the companion video, a role reversal of the popular Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love,” only joyfully reinforces that message.

“Forever and For Always” – from Up!
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
Just when we thought Shania may be abandoning country music for pop stardom, she released one of the most tender love songs of her career, which makes it doubly heartbreaking that she and her husband and co-writer on many of these songs eventually divorced. Still, songs like “Forever and For Always” aren’t just anthems, they’re soundtracks for moments in our lives.

“Party for Two” featuring Billy Currington – from Greatest Hits
Written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Shania Twain
We can’t imagine how a young Billy Currington reacted when he got the call that the hottest female star in country music wanted to do a sizzling song with him, but from the looks of the video, he was pretty tickled. Yeah, well before Miley was swinging from a wrecking ball, this pair of country cuties were literally swinging from a chandelier. Oh yeah, there was also a pop version recorded with Mark McGrath… but Billy Currington…

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