The woman in her will have you Up! and Coming over to the Party

I’ll be frank. If someone asked me 2 months ago what I thought of Shania Twain, I’d say something like “I don’t know... Is she the girl who sings ‘Man I feel like a woman’?” As astounding as it sounds, I barely had a clue of who she was. And the only reason I knew that she sings ‘Man! I feel like a woman!’ is because that song is in a CD with various female artists that I bought because it had Des’Ree, Natalie Imbruglia, TLC and Lara Fabian. Please understand that, until my fourteens (I’m 18 now) I didn’t give crap about music (pardon my French). It’s kind of a lame excuse as for why I never really noticed Shania, but please feel free to smack my head anytime.

Then, everything changed when, while shuffling through the TV channels last November, I stumbled upon CMT. They were airing a Top 20 Special with Shania’s videos and, for lack of anything better to do, I watched it. As the videos went on, I realized that I had already listened to quite a few of her songs before and enjoyed them, but never realized they were her songs. “Wait a second, she sings ‘From This Moment On’? And ‘You’re Still the One’! ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ also? ‘The woman in me’? Oh my god, ‘I’m gonna getcha good’! Even ‘Any Man of Mine’! You’ve gotta be kidding me!” That was my reaction as I watched the program. And as it went on, I found out that she was releasing her Greatest Hits CD. A few days later, I had it on my collection of music. After the Greatest Hits, I bought “Up!”, “Come on Over” and got the “Live in Chicago” DVD for Christmas.

Over the past 2 months, I started understanding the musical phenomenon that Shania generated in country music, if not in music in general. Just recently, ‘Come on Over’ was certified double diamond by the RIAA, for shipping 20 million records in the USA. Only 5 other records have shipped more copies: the Eagles, with 1976's "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975," shipping 28 million, Michael Jackson with 1982's "Thriller," shipping 26 million, Pink Floyd with 1979's double-disc "The Wall," 23 million (double discs count as two copies shipped), Led Zeppelin with 1971's "Led Zeppelin IV," 22 million, and Billy Joel with 1985's double-disc "Greatest Hits, Vol. I & II," 21 million (notice that Come on Over was released in 1997, way later than any of these others). “Come on Over” is the biggest selling country record of history and the biggest selling record by a female artist. Also, Shania is the only artist ever to have 3 consecutive albums certified Diamond (10 million copies). Ha! Bite THAT, Steve Earle!

And with Greatest Hits certified 3 times platinum already, I see another Diamond coming. As this review is being written, it’s currently #1 in the country chart and in the Top 10 overall. Hey, did you notice that, out of that list of top selling records two of them are greatest hits? Hint, hint. ;-)

Shania is one of the most accomplished artists of these days. But her greatest feat was actually surviving. As a child, she grew in a very poor family in Timmins, Ontario. Her biological father left when she was 2. Her mother latter on married an Ojibway native. In order to help with the family finances, Shania, at the time Eileen, was often taken out of bed in the middle of the night to sing in clubs. When she was 21, her parents were killed in a car accident. Shania had to make a harsh decision. She took a job as a singer in a resort and assumed the responsibility to raise her younger siblings. Finally, when her siblings could already take care of themselves, she focused on building her career.

It was at that time that she changed her name to “Shania”, that in Ojibway means “I’m on my way”. Her first album, entitled “Shania Twain” flopped. But thanks to that album, Shania got her greatest admirer: music producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange. He called her and for months they talked and wrote songs over the phone, even before meeting face to face. Some months later, they got married. With Mutt as producer and co-writer, Shania’s next album “The woman in me” took country music by storm.

Now, let’s talk about the album itself. I have to say that this is the record that my whole family listens to without flinching (let’s just say that my sisters just can’t understand what I find so great about Michelle Branch, Nelly Furtado and Vanessa Carlton). That’s the cool thing about Shania. She has something to everyone. People can really relate to her songs.
There are 3 songs from ‘Up!’ 8 from ‘Come on over’ 6 from ‘The Woman in me’ and 3 new songs, although ‘Party for Two’ has 2 versions, totalizing 4 new songs and 21 tracks overall. The tracks come in a sort of descendent order, starting from the songs from ‘Up!’ and going down until ‘The woman in me’. Then there are the new songs. I wish that Grammy nominated “She’s not just a pretty face” were among the tracks. But it’s understandable, since ‘Up!’ is the most recent album it’s got less tracks in Greatest Hits in favor of the songs from previous albums. The songs are as follows.

Forever and for always: If “From this moment on” or “You’re still the one” was your wedding song, this should be the 10th anniversary tune. It’s a cute, breezy song about everlasting love that will make your insides melt.

Up!: Ever had those days where you feel like the sky is going to fall on your head? Then listen to Shania. “Don’t worry it won’t last for long.” This is a upbeat song with some of the funniest lyrics. “Even my skin is acting weird. I wish that I could grow a beard. Then I could coverall my spots, not play connect the dots. I just wanna disappear.” I feel that way a LOT.

I’m gonna getcha good!: Shania’s I’m back song. This was her first single from “Up!” after 4 (or 5) years away from the music scene. Basically, it’s about how she won’t give up until she gets the guy she wants. I find the assertiveness in the lyrics very inspiring, whether it’s for a romantic interest or even for reaching a goal. It’s just great!

Come on Over: Mid-tempo, cute song, great for chilling out.

Man! I feel like a woman!: Oh yeah, I do! When you think of a “girls’ night out” song, this is the one. However, believe me; I’ve seen guys singing it too, and having a good time. And no, they weren’t gay, neither had they lost a bet. Infectious lyrics, big sound, woman empowerment. What’s not to like?

That don’t impress me much: In Greatest Hits, this song is the international version. I love both of them. This version has a techno feel to it that makes me want to jump on the dance floor right away. Are you a stuck up genius? Brad Pitt wannabe? In love with your car? Shania will have none of it.

From this moment on: Ultimate wedding song. Beautiful lyrics, heavenly instrumentation and Shania’s angel-like voice. Just plain wonderful.

Honey! I’m home: Please suppress the urge to sing Queen’s “We will rock you” at the very beginning of this song:-p. This one is pure fun. The first time I listened I had a fit of laughter. Shania sings about having a really crappy day at a not so exciting job and wanting nothing but to return home and receive some TLC. Fun, fun, fun!

You’re still the one: Another of Shania’s good-for-wedding ballads. This one has a beautiful history behind it. With the success of the “The Woman in Me” album, rumors started spreading out that Shania and her husband\producer\co-writer, “Mutt” Lange, were divorcing. The response to those rumors was “You’re still the one”, a song that Shania dedicated to Mutt. The result was a smash hit and a marriage that is lasting much longer than most people expected (Shania and Mutt had their 11th anniversary last month). To quote Shania “‘You’re still the one’ is a song that had a slow start, but then it grew, and grew, and never went away. And that’s great.”

Don’t be stupid (you know I love you): Another fun song that deals with a jealous love interest. I love the fiddles in this one.

Love gets me every time: Shania’s first single out of ‘Come on over’. This song professes a universal truth: you can’t control love. You can’t predict when, where or with whom it will happen. Simple as that.

No one needs to know: This song was in the ‘Twister’ movie. Shania sings about being in love, but not wanting anyone to know about it just yet. “I’ll tell you someday, someway, somehow. But I’m gonna keep it secret for now.” Very cute.

You win my love: Love and cars. Interesting combination. Basically, Shania says that if you want to win her love, give it all you got, and you’ll get it all.

(If you’re not in it for love) I’m outta here: You’re willing to impress someone? Shania is giving some hints. Don’t use cheap lines. And show some interest in commitment. If that’s not the case, ‘I’m outta here’. The drums are the highlight here.

The woman in me: Beautiful, heartfelt song. Great for sharing with that special someone. Unless you’re a guy, of course.

Any man of mine: Upbeat, playful song that made everyone turn their attentions to Shania (and her midriff). Want to know what a perfect man should be like? This is a close description. ;-p

Whose bed have your boots been under: Nice alliteration. This song is about cheating.

Party for two: New song. It’s got two versions, one pop/rock with Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath and a country version with Billy Currington. I still haven’t decided which one I prefer. Voice-wise, I think Billy is better. But when it comes to the instrumentation and the rhythm, it kinda depends on my mood. Shania invites Mark (or Billy) to a party but he’s reluctant, until she tells it’s gonna be just the two of them. Fun stuff. (Note: I’ve heard people from outside the US saying that in other countries the country version was substituted by ‘Ka-Ching!’)

Don’t! : Another new one. A beautiful ballad about not letting a relationship be destroyed by mundane things as pride. Although most people relate it to a romantic relationship, it also fits with family and friends. Depending on your mood, this song might get you to tears.

I ain’t no quitter: this new song is downright country. It’s sort of an ‘opposites attract’ song. There’s this guy with these awful habits (drinking, smoking, flirting, swearing, spitting, you name it) and he won’t quit any of them, in spite of his girl’s pleading. But she won’t quit on him until she’s had her way.

Over the years, Shania has conquered her much deserved space in the music business. Greatest Hits shows why she’s an internationally acclaimed musician and entertainer. Although some people claim that she’s “not country enough” or “not pop enough”, in the end all that matters is that she’s an extremely talented artist that pushed the boundaries of music and blew open the doors for several artists of these days. She doesn’t need to be categorized. She’s her own category. Here’s hopping that this Greatest Hits album will be the first of many to come.


PS. Epinions only gives one choice, but lately I've been listening to this CD in every single occasion I can.