In a new interview, Shania Twain looks back on the cultural significance of her country-pop crossover hit, Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
The track was released as one of 12 singles from the Canadian superstar’s third studio album, ‘Come On Over’ (1997) and became a worldwide hit, along with one of her most iconic songs.
Reflecting on its success in the latest instalment of Vevo Footnotes, Twain says: “If there’s any song that has ever affected culture, that I have written, it’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman!. I can’t take credit for knowing that in the moment of writing it!
“I worked with record producer Mutt Lange on the song. He had this guitar riff he had been playing all morning. Finally, he stopped the riff and I said… ‘Man I feel like a woman!’ When that statement came out of my mouth, it was so obvious that the song was going to be about liberation, independence and the human spirit.”
On how the song pushed her in various aspects, she continues: “I was standing up for myself through the song. I wasn’t being apologetic for all the things I had been criticised for in my life – ‘You can’t do that, you can’t wear that, that’s too tight, that’s too short.’ This was my song that really said you know what I love about being a woman! I’m feeling comfortable in my own skin! That’s awesome!”
It’s reflected in the video for the track, of which she adds: “I remember the art department saying, ‘This is way too sexy! The women listeners are not going to like this! They’re going to feel threatened.’ They told me I was going to alienate a huge part of my audience. I knew that women would totally get it.”
Noting how the visual was inspired by that of Robert Palmer’s 1986 single Addicted To Love, she goes on: “We wanted to take that idea and turn it on its head. We wanted to make something unexpected and the role reversal was the vision…
“[Fashion designer/stylist] Mark Bauer got to work on the wardrobe, with that idea in mind, and dressed me in that amazing high women’s coat, the top hat, with the veil added for a touch of femininity, in what was a ‘typically’ masculine outfit.
“As part of the role reversal, it was important to have the guys be really sexy and androgynous. All of the little details of the fashion were considered and on purpose. It’s a real credit to Mark and his talent.”
Shania’s comments come as she prepares to revisit the ‘Come On Over’ album with her third Las Vegas residency, which will play at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from May to December 2024.
Over the summer, she’ll also play a number of shows across the UK and Ireland, including a headline date at London’s BST Hyde Park with The Corrs and the Glastonbury legends slot.
