Shania Twain On Early Criticisms and Being Called ‘America’s Best Paid Lap Dancer in Nashville’
By Madeleine O'Connell | Country Now | October 23, 2021
Even the most legendary artists, who appear to live the most glamour lives, have had their fair share of dark times as a result of the music industry.
Country music icon, Shania Twain revealed that she received heavy judgment and degrading comments during her early career, when she debuted her Woman In Me album in 1995. She was even labeled as “America’s best paid lap dancer in Nashville.”
“I was criticized as an artist,” Twain said in an episode of Home Now Radio on Apple Music Hits. “I’m surprised I ever had any hits actually when I read them now. So for example, part of the quote from one of my reviews was, ‘She’s America’s best paid lap dancer in Nashville. She’s hot, but can she sing? Is Shania just a flash in the pan? The most famous midriff in Nashville.’ So yeah, I ended up having hits anyway. Very satisfying. ‘Who’s bed have your boots been under,’ release 1995. And what I just quoted were all quotes based on that first single from the Woman In Me album. I wrote the song. And I was a little bit hurt, I guess, at the harsh critics, not focusing on the music.”
For a young, impressionable artist, putting her work out into the world and receiving such negative feedback can feel like a career-ending moment, but through it all, Twain has persevered. She listened to the fans that were lifting her up instead of the ones that were trying to tear her down. In doing so, she evolved into the strong, successful artist she is today.
“The fans just wiped all of that hurt away and made the song one of my biggest hits,” Twain continued. “Thank you, fans.”
During the episode of Home Now Radio, Twain also discussed a similar situation with GRAMMY winner Bruno Mars and his 2010 hit single, “Grenade.”
“The criticism was very high on this. It was quoted as being the ‘laziest songwriting, doesn’t get much lazier than simply listing things a boy does like jumping in front of a train, throw his hand on a blade, take a bullet through the brain. Just about any pointlessly morbid thought he could string together will do just fine. A few times through this song and you’ll be praying there’s another bullet left in that gun.’ Now I don’t want to beat up the critics because we can’t all get it right all the time. So at least from my side all is forgiven, but I’m really glad that in spite of that review, the Bruno Mars grenade song is a huge monster hit.”
Luckily, those who chose to ignore the talent held by Twain and Mars, did not prevail in their ill intentions. Twain continues to share her iconic music with her loyal fans and soon, she will begin her residency in Las Vegas.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 27 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today October 28 at 7:00pm ET. Shania and her special guest Ray Parker Jr. chat movie theme songs.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 27 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today October 28 at 7:00pm ET. Shania and her special guest Ray Parker Jr. chat movie theme songs.
Grab the popcorn 🍿 We're going to the movies on #HomeNowRadio! And it wouldn't be a trip to the movies without a date... who ya gonna call?? My dear friend @rayparkerjr joins us for this week's episode! 👻 Liisten now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 28 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today November 11 at 7:00pm ET. Shania and Steve Lukather chat guitar heroes. Back on Episode 24, Shania mentioned Steve (who is the lead singer from Toto) played guitar on one of her new tracks.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 28 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today November 11 at 7:00pm ET. Shania and Steve Lukather chat guitar heroes. Back on Episode 24, Shania mentioned Steve (who is the lead singer from Toto) played guitar on one of her new tracks.
Shania Twain @ShaniaTwain, 12 Nov 2021, 6:55 PM ET via Twitter.
Air guitars at the ready * On this week's #HomeNowRadio show I'm celebrating guitar heroes, rock royalty, warriors of rhythm! And I'm joined by my good friend and great guitarist Steve Lukather * Listen now, only on @applemusic : http://apple.co/homenowradio
Nothing beats the feeling of live music... I'm addicted to it! This week's #HomeNowRadio episode is all about my favourite live songs, artists who took that energy and recorded it for us to enjoy again and again. Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 30 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today December 9 at 7:00pm ET. Shania invites listeners into her glittery, genre-defying world.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 30 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today December 9 at 7:00pm ET. Shania invites listeners into her glittery, genre-defying world.
The latest #HomeNowRadio episode celebrates genre defying artists! (I know a few of those 😂) The outlaws who go against the rules... rules were meant to be broken right? Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 31 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today December 23 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays her favorite Christmas songs.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 31 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today December 23 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays her favorite Christmas songs.
It's Chriiiiiiiistmas 😍🎄 And I'm spinning all my favourite festive tunes on the last #HomeNowRadio episode of the year - join me! Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 32 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today January 6 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays songs by artists who died too soon.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 32 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today January 6 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays songs by artists who died too soon.
The first #HomeNowRadio episode of 2022 is a special one ❤️ Celebrating the music of exceptional people who left us far too soon. Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 33 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today January 20 at 7:00pm ET. Shania shares her ultimate sing-a-long playlist.
Shania Twain wants Harry Styles to sing with her…*and* wear her signature leopard print
ABC Audio | 97.9 WEVE | January 21, 2022
Most Harry Styles fans know that he’s a close friend of rock legend Stevie Nicks, but you may not know that he’s also friendly with another chart-topping veteran female singer of a certain age, who not only wants to sing with him, but twin with him, fashion-wise. We’re talking about Shania Twain.
Speaking on the latest episode of Home Now Radio on Apple Music Hits, during which she shared her ultimate sing-along playlist, Shania played Harry’s hit “Adore You” and said, “I love to sing along with Harry Styles. Harry and I are texting friends…yes, I’m bragging.”
She added that Harry is “apparently a fan of mine,” noting that he “likes to sing [my song] ‘You’re Still the One’ and he performs sometimes in his show, which is really cool and a huge compliment.”
Shania then went on to directly address Harry, saying “You and I should definitely do a duet together. We could do a version of one of your songs. I love your music. We could do a version of one of my songs, or we could just write a song from scratch and go from there.”
The Canadian superstar added that she thinks it’s “really cool” that both she and Harry “like to wear leopard print.” Shania famously rocked leopard print from head to toe in her video for “That Don’t Impress Me Much.”
“You look good in it,” she said. “Leopard print is a Shania Twain signature print, but Harry Styles can borrow it, of course, because he’s so cute and talented. So yeah, you’ve got my permission. Go ahead. Wear it. Just don’t wear it out.”
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 33 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today January 20 at 7:00pm ET. Shania shares her ultimate sing-a-long playlist.
I dare you to tell me you can resist singing-along when you hear @ABBAVoyage’s Dancing Queen, it's not possible! This week's #HomeNowRadio episode is all about my ultimate sing-a-long songs 🎤 Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
An excerpt from the radio show where Shania sings "Adore You" and talks about Harry Styles. Obviously, there is still nothing done between the two. Making an unreleased song is not his first plan. She says "we could do a version of one of your songs or one of my songs."
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 34 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today February 17 at 7:00pm ET. Shania's post Valentine's episode "Love Sux" with Avril Lavigne. "Love Sux" is Avril's upcoming seventh studio album set to be released on February 25. When Avril was 14 years old, she won a radio contest to sing on stage with Shania at her 1998 concert in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They sang a duet version of "What Made You Say That".
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 34 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today February 17 at 7:00pm ET. Shania's post Valentine's episode "Love Sux" with Avril Lavigne. "Love Sux" is Avril's upcoming seventh studio album set to be released on February 25. When Avril was 14 years old, she won a radio contest to sing on stage with Shania at her 1998 concert in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They sang a duet version of "What Made You Say That".
Love is beautiful, but sometimes... Love SUX! ❤️💔 For this week's Valentines episode of #HomeNowRadio, the pop punk princess @AvrilLavigne joins me!! Listen now, only on @AppleMusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
Shania Twain Says Avril Lavigne’s New Album ‘Love Sux’ ‘Totally Kicks Ass,’ Recalls Singing On Stage With 14-Year-Old Lavigne
By Melissa Romualdi | ET Canada | February 17, 2022
Avril Lavigne joins fellow Canadian music icon Shania Twain to discuss everything from the time they met to their favourite anti-love songs, which includes a hit from another “Canadian icon club member,” Alanis Morissette.
On the latest episode of “Home Now Radio” on Apple Music Hits, Twain says she’s “super proud” of Lavigne and compliments her “really cool niche.”
“I think it’s just really unique that in a very male-centric genre, you are, I mean, the queen of pop punk,” Twain tells Lavigne.
The “Sk8er Boi” singer takes the “awesome” compliment and thanks the country superstar for helping her get discovered as a young artist in Canada.
“I was 14. I was in a tiny little town in Canada and we heard an opportunity on the radio station to sing with you, on the “Come On Over” tour. ‘Win a chance to sing with Shania on stage’ and I happened to win that,” Lavigne recalls.
“I remember going back to high school and everyone’s like, ‘You sang with Shania Twain on stage.’ Everyone knew who I was and that was so helpful for me, to helping me get discovered,” she continues.
Now the Grammy Award-nominated artist is about to release her seventh album, 20 years after her musical breakout.
According to Twain, Lavigne “nailed [the album] lyrically,” adding that Love Sux “totally kicks ass in the attitude department.”
As for how much of Lavigne’s own individual attitude goes into the songwriting, the singer explains that the songs are more about the concept.
“I’ll come up with a concept. I’ll start the song at my house on the guitar. I’ll take it into the studio, and then my producer will help me finish it lyrically… we shape it together,” she explains.
Sometimes other people bring in concepts, like Lavigne’s latest collaborator Machine Gun Kelly, who is featured on the album’s upcoming track “Bois Lie”.
She discusses how the “whole album’s about self-worth and self-love,” like the first single off the record, “Bite Me”.
“That song is just not giving a guy a second chance who doesn’t deserve it, because he didn’t treat me well and saying a big goodbye and moving on,” Lavigne said, adding that it’s basically a “big F-you” that says, “I’m going to be the one who got away.”
When discussing their favourite anti-love songs, Lavigne says that “a good anti-breakup song” from a band she loves is All American Rejects’ “Gives You Hell”. She also thinks “Taylor Swift is perfect” noting that her favourite Swift song is “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. She listed Fall Out Boy’s “Thanks for the Memories”, as well as Alanis Morissette a.k.a. “the Canadian queen of angst”‘s “You Oughta Know”.
“She’s just so intelligent and poetic with her song lyrics,” Lavigne says about Morissette.
Twain “took us back a little bit” with her anti-love song choices, listing her “favourite rock male vocalist ever,” Dan McCafferty’s “Love Hurts”, which she calls her “favourite rock ballad of all time.”
“Adele is definitely up there with the number of anti-love-based songs, for sure,” Twain adds.
Avril Lavigne Thanks Shania Twain For Her Rise To Fame
During an appearance on "Home Now Radio on Apple Music Hits", the Canadian queen of country pop, Shania Twain, is joined by the Canadian queen of pop punk, Avril Lavigne, who credits the "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" singer for launching her music career. Plus, the Juno Award winner discusses her forthcoming seventh studio album, 'Love Sux'.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 35 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today March 3 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays her favorite international hits.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 35 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today March 3 at 7:00pm ET. Shania plays her favorite international hits.
Buckle up, we're going global on the latest episode of #HomeNowRadio ✈️ I'm spinning records by my favourite border transcending artists, from @bts_bighit to @AndreaBocelli! Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
Shania appeared on French TV during the midday national news in the 12:45 on M6. The 12:45 is every day 1.6 million followers, or 12% audience share. The report aired around 1:10 p.m. They showed her Home Now Radio exchanges with Avril Lavigne in a report on the release of "Love Sux" by Avril Lavigne. Replay : https://www.6play.fr/le-1245-p_1056/le-1245-du-06-03-2022-c_12927937
Shania Twain Gushes Over Céline Dion: ‘She’s One Of Our Greatest Vocalists Of All Time’
By Becca Longmire | ET Canada | March 7, 2022
Shania Twain is a huge Céline Dion fan.
Twain spoke about her fellow Canadian hitmaker on the latest episode of “Home Now Radio” on Apple Music Hits.
While showcasing her favourite global hits by artists from around the world, Twain says of Dion’s “I Drove All Night”: “Now, I love this song, but my favourite version of this song is by Céline Dion,” referencing the original track by Cyndi Lauper.
Twain adds, “The Céline Dion version is part of my vocal warm-up routine before shows. Any Céline Dion recording is a vocal challenge for me anyway because she’s one of our greatest vocalists of all time.
“All of her vocals are a positive vocal exercise for me that I take on as challenges, especially up in the higher range, and ‘I Drove All Night’ is one of those songs.”
The musician also talks about being influenced by Abba, sharing: “Abba is definitely a go-to group for me. It’s go-to music. When I want to feel good, when I want to get up and dance, but also has been a really huge musical influence on me.
“The vocal arrangements, the chord progressions. I mean, it’s pretty complicated. It’s not just your average straightforward music. So I go to Abba for all kinds of inspiration. ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ was written by the two men in Abba, Benny and Bjorn. The latter of which has a new show on Apple Music Hits called ‘Bjorn From Abba & Friends Radio’. You got to check it out.”
She adds of embracing EDM Music: “Now, I have myself listened to a lot of EDM through my son. It was always blasting through his bedroom door and the basement door and it really stuck with me. I really got into the genre. Now, I’ve yet to go to see my favourite DJs in Las Vegas, who have residencies there, but it’s on my to-do list for sure on days off in Vegas.”
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 36 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today March 17 at 7:00pm ET. Shania celebrates record-breaking female artists.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, Episode 36 of Shania's "Home Now Radio" show will premiere today March 17 at 7:00pm ET. Shania celebrates record-breaking female artists.
Record breaking tunes by kick ass women is the name of the game in the latest #HomeNowRadio episode! Great company to be in 😉💎🔥 Listen now, only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
This #DearShania note was so touching. The more we believe in ourselves and embrace every aspect of ourselves... the strong, the successful, the vulnerable, the imperfect - the stronger we'll be moving forward. Thank you for sharing Jamie ❤️ Happy Women's History Month.
According to Apple's Music Hits radio station schedule, there's not a new "Home Now Radio" episode AGAIN today/this week (as was the case 2 weeks ago). I wonder why.
Is Shania's show over or what? It's been 2 months since the last new episode. She can record the show anywhere she is staying. The Bahamas, Las Vegas. etc.
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Tommy's #1 SHANIA TWAIN SuperSite shaniasupersite.com Our eyes are closed, but we're not asleep, We're wide awake beneath the sheets
Leslie Jordan Tells Shania Twain 'God Made Me' Gay, Why He 'Quit Going' to Church: 'I'm Not a Mistake'
Earlier this year, the actor released his album Company's Comin', which is filled with country songs and gospel hymns
By Tomás Mier | People | August 19, 2021
Leslie Jordan is reflecting on his sexuality and his relationship with the church.
In an interview with Shania Twain on the first anniversary of her Home Now Radio show on Apple Music Hits, Jordan, 66, opened up about his childhood and what it was like to be gay growing up in a religious family, as he talked about his recently released Company's Comin'. (The episode airs at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.)
"I say this for myself, that music was always my savior. I wouldn't say the music was my religion, but it was a safe zone where I wasn't judged," Twain, 55, told Jordan. "I could express myself and it was escapism for me as well. Growing up in a family that believed very much that God was going to be there to help you through things and then also having the music, what an inspiring way to grow up."
Exactly," Jordan responded. "When I'm being very dramatic, I say, 'Well, I grew up in the church, but I walked away,' because the whole gay thing came around. I firmly believe that God made me this way. I'm not a mistake."
"This is not my cross to bear. It's part of what I am and I want to celebrate that, but when you grow up and you're just so scared… But I never walked away from the church," he added. "I just quit going."
Reflecting on his childhood, Jordan — who stars on Call Me Kat — spoke about how he faced bullies during his childhood: through comedy.
"I learned very early to be funny to keep the bullies at bay. The minute they started bullying me, I could make them laugh," he said. "That was my defense mechanism."
Jordan then told a story about when he told his parents he no longer wanted to go to Sunday school because other kids would laugh at him.
"[My dad] got down on one knee and he explained to me the difference between laughing at me and laughing with me. And he said, 'You've been given a gift. And that's the ability to make people laugh,'" Jordan said. "He recognized it even before I did, that I was this funny kid. I didn't know. So, I think over the years I've thought of that and... What a gift."
"What a gift to be able to make people laugh, to have a talent for that because you can tell a joke and somebody else can tell that same joke, and if they don't have the rhythm, whatever it is that comedians have... It's like music. We hear the music. It's the rhythm," he continued.
Talking about his album — which features several gospel songs and country hits — Jordan said the album featured songs he grew up with and has a connection to.
As part of the Come On Over celebrations, I stopped by the @applemusic studios to record a special episode of #HomeNowRadio! ☺️ With the ‘From Apple Music, With Love’ edition of the album featuring duets with some of my favourite people - I’m talking about you @eltonjohn, Chris Martin (@coldplay), @nickjonas 😘 - I revisited some of my all time favourite duets, those musically perfect pairs! Listen now, only on @applemusic:apple.co/homenowradio
As part of the #BeautyAndTheBeast30th celebrations we recorded a special episode of #HomeNowRadio (an excuse for me to play all my favourite songs from musicals!! 😂) @joshgroban and #MartinShort popped by for a chat. Listen now, only on @AppleMusic:apple.co/homenowradio
We are BACK 💥 #HomeNowRadio Season 2 - let's go!! It only made sense to kick off the new season with a royalty episode, so I'm taking you through the Queen Of Me: Royal Edition, with some insight from @breland & @malibubabie 💖 Listen on @AppleMusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
The #HomeNowRadio guests keep coming!! I'm joined by my gorgeous friend @adamlambert and we're talking about our @ITV #Starstruck judging experience and fangirling over some of our favourite artists. Listen on @AppleMusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
I’m having a fiesta with my fellow @vh1 Divas Live diva @gloriaestefan for the latest #HomeNowRadio episode!! 💃 We’re chatting songwriting, early influences and sharing our love for Latin music. Listen only on @applemusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
On the latest #HomeNowRadio episode, we're celebrating the talent of LGBTQIA+ artists and allies and I got to indulge in some deep chats with my favourite cowboy @OrvillePeck! Listen now, only on @AppleMusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
Episode 43 - Shania plays her favorite remixes and chats with DJ, Diplo.
Shania Twain @ShaniaTwain
On the latest #HomeNowRadio episode, I’m looking back at some familiar tracks that have been remixed by DJs and producers over the years. I also got to speak with one of my favourite DJs and dear friend, @diplo. Listen now, only on @AppleMusic:http://apple.co/homenowradio
Shania Twain and Diplo Delve Deep in Candid Conversation—Is a Collaboration in the Works?
By Lisa Konicki | American Songwriter | July 29, 2023
On the latest episode of Home Now Radio with Shania Twain on Apple Music Hits, Shania Twain engages in an informative conversation with Diplo. Fresh off the release of his country-infused project, Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant, the two artists delve into multiple topics.
The duo discusses Twain’s admiration for Beyoncé, her friendship with Elton John, and her desire to team up with the talented Dua Lipa. Diplo shares his controversial approach to country music, his penchant for creating “weird” and attention-grabbing tracks, and more. Moreover, the episode alludes to the possibility of a Diplo and Shania collaboration, as they connect over their shared love for music and its transformative power.
Shania Twain on Her Love For Beyoncé…
I’ve seen Beyoncé live several times now. She kind of reminds me of Tina Turner, or she should be the daughter of Tina Turner or something like that. She’s just so spicy and dynamic and one of the hardest-working people I think I’ve ever heard of. Amazing lady.
Shania Twain About Her Friendship with Elton John & Wanting to Perform with Dua Lipa…
I’m such a big fan of both Dua Lipa and Elton John. Elton John, I’ve been on stage with him a couple of times. We’ve sung together, we’ve crossed paths many times over the years and Dua Lipa, she’s on my bucket list to meet and perform with. So I’ll just leave it at that. Dua Lipa, if you’re out there and you can hear me let’s do this.
Shania Twain About Her Love of Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj…
Now, what I really love about remixes is that sometimes they allow two different artists to collaborate in a completely new way. It’s a very adventurous experience, remixing, and this is a great example. It’s similar to Elton John and Dua Lipa. Like them, this next track features two powerhouse performers; Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj. Just the thought of hearing a remix with the two of them excites me. They’re such badass artists. They’re bold in their performances, their whole visual art is dynamic and cutting edge, and I wouldn’t have really known what to expect of them in person, but both Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj are just as sweet as pie.
Diplo and Shania Talk About Possible Collaboration…
Shania Twain: My idea behind chatting with you today was to hijack you so that we do our own collaboration together, because …
Diplo: Let’s do it.
Diplo Tells Shania About Being Controversial in Country Music…
It seems like I’m making pretty straightforward songs that are folky and country, but in the country scene, they’re very revolutionary. Like adding the 808s and trap drums or disco drums to records in country is super weird for some purists. So it doesn’t seem super weird to me. It’s very, very normal, but it’s very controversial. One of the most controversial scenes I’ve ever been part of is country because I’m doing something that people aren’t comfortable with a lot of times in the industry. But then when the records are getting played on Apple Music and they grow that way, it’s organic. The fans are there for that.
Diplo Tells Shania About Making ‘Weird’ Music…
I was always the guy that you would get to make the weird record. It was Usher’s weird record or Beyonce’s weird record. And because they needed that, everybody needs something that’s like makes your head turn. Because so many people just chasing for the No. 1s, you got to have something that’s like, “Whoa, where did this come from?” And now a lot of producers do that really well, so it’s not that crazy anymore. But now I’m just finding ways to settle back and just write better records and write records that I want to put my name behind forever and ever. But I had to get my way in here somehow, and I was think that was the way I did it.
Diplo Tells Shania About Unlocking Other Artists’ Super Powers…
With the artists, it’s amazing you say that because I was always a collector of little toys and basketball cards when I was younger. I feel like the same way I applied my obsession with whether it was GI Joe or He-Man, whatever it is, I feel like that when I’m producing an artist, whether it was Madonna or if it’s going to be Travis Scott, each one of these people is like a superhero. They have these powers and you got to inspire those powers and motivate them and enhance them. That’s what your job is.
Listen to the episode in full anytime on-demand, HERE.