When you think of the 90’s, Shania Twain may not be the first name that comes to mind. At a time where Pop music was being dominated by Hip-Hop collaborations and urban influences, Shania released her third studio album Come on Over in 1997. Over followed The Woman In Me, Twain’s second album that had sold 4 million copies by the end of 1995. Although it was clear that Shania was a Country music star, it wasn’t until Come on Over that she fully emerged as a force on the charts.
Over was released in November 1997, preceded by the single “Love Gets Me Every Time”. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, topped the country charts and by late December was certified double platinum. However, it was in January 1998 that Twain really made her mark. “You’re Still the One” was released as her first pop and international single and was a certified hit – literally – going double platinum, earning Twain her first Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and two Grammy Awards. The song was Shania’s ode to her lover and writing partner, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, and an oh-so-sweet kiss off to media criticism of their relationship: ‘They said: ‘’ll bet they’ll never make it’”… we’re still together, still going strong.’
“One,” as well as its parent album, falls under the umbrella of country pop. There wasn’t an abandonment of Twain’s previous sound in order to appeal to a mass audience nor was she conforming to the big-ballad style of Celine or hip-hop collabos like Mariah. Come on Over really carved it’s own lane not just for country music, but for music as a whole.
Internationally, the album was a success as well. ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ became Twain’s biggest hit in the UK peaking at #3 on the Singles Chart and the UK Dance Mix became the best non-number one single of the year. The international edition of Come on Over featured some pop-ier production handled by Lange and allowed Shania Twain to be an international music star, peaking at #1 on the UK Album Charts.
The success didn’t stopped there. In the 18 years since its release, Come on Over has been certified twenty times platinum and still stands as the best selling album by a female artist ever in the United States. Whereas “That Don’t Impress Me Much” has a great throwback feel, “You’re Still The One” has stood the test of time and is considered to be Twain’s most successful single. Another notable hit from the set was “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” a campy pop country hybrid that yielded quite the catchphrase.
Although Twain has only released one studio album after Come on Over there is no doubt her impact on the charts and on pop music as a whole. Twain’s crossover appeal no doubt paved the way for artists such as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to experience their own chart successes. Twain’s impact may not have been as explicit as some other 90’s artists, but there’s no denying her chart dominance and influence on the way people view country music.