SPECIAL THANKS TO KATIE BAPTIE AT DAWBELL

Twenty-five years ago today, Shania Twain made an unparalleled mark (and left a leopard print stain) on the music industry with the release of her third studio album Come on Over. Featuring classic country-pop crossover hits such as ‘You’re Still The One’, ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ and ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’, the Grammy Award-winning collection defied all expectations for a woman in the genre (and music in general) when sales surpassed – wait for it – 40 million; becoming the best-selling country album and the best-selling album of all time by a female artist – a record it still holds. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that!” Shania tells GAY TIMES as she reflects on the career-defining era. “Whoever beats it, it will be hats off, because it’s not easy to get there.” 

Next year, Shania returns with her first album in five years with Queen of Me, which will include more classic country-pop anthems while incorporating elements of folk and dance; music the country rocker says she’s “always” wanted to make. “This one is more of an adventure. I’m way less apologetic at this point in my life, right now. I feel like self-expression has no limits. That spirit is captured in the album,” she reveals. “I’m realising a lot of things that I’ve wanted to do for a while now on this album.” 

We caught up with Shania to discuss her impending release, 25 years of Come On Over and how she’s finally embraced her unshakeable status as the queen of country, crossover and country-pop. Although she jokes her label will “kill” her, Shania also teases a collaboration with fellow diamond-certified country star Lil Nas X: “It could be sooner than later, if I have my way.”

‘Waking Up Dreaming’ and ‘Last Day of Summer’ are both classic Shania: catchy, country pop. Are both of these songs indicative of the kind of sound we can expect on Queen of Me?

Yes. The album is very Up!. ‘Last Day of Summer’ is more of a storytelling side of me, very conversational and a little more on the folk side. ‘Waking Up Dreaming’ is just straight ahead fun pop. They’re great bookends of what the album is. 

The music video for ‘Waking Up Dreaming’… I loved. 

Isn’t it so fun?! My favourite thing is the purple pants and the pink hair.