The story of how country music darlin' Shania Twain and her relationship and marriage to ex-heavy metal producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange can best be explained by Shania.
"Mutt's a huge country music fan. The steel guitar is his favorite instrument," she says, smiling. "I may be the
princess in his life, but Tammy Wynette is the Queen! He was a fan of mine through my first album
and wanted to meet me. We first talked on the phone several weeks before
we met in person. He got a hold of me through my manager. I had no idea
he was a world famous record producer. I didn't read the back of pop and
rock albums, which was good because I wasn't intimidated by him.
Otherwise, I don't think I would have been able to express myself
creatively without any inhibitions."
"It worked out really well. We became
good friends over the phone, we were even writing songs and exchanging
ideas. Creatively we were very in sync with each other.
The first time I
actually talked to him face to face was in Nashville during Mercury's
Fan Fair show in '93, and we haven't wanted to be apart from that moment
on."
"We ended up writing half the album, mind you, before we even became
romantically, it's a wonderful, wonderful marriage. My husband Mutt is
the producer of my dreams and the love of my life. They are two separate
entities, but at the same time what more could any girl ask for?"
Indeed, Shania and Mutt had a unique songwriting relationship where she would sing Mutt the songs over the phone, he would record them, rework them, and play them back for her. Somehow this songwriting relationship developed into a true love relationship, for Shania and Mutt were married, six months after they met, on December 28, 1993.
After their marriage, their studio relationship began with the recording of "The Woman in Me". Lange had the vision that the label executives lacked. So confident in Shania's songwriting abilities, Mutt insisted, when they began working on Shania's "Woman In Me" album, that they use all 10 of the Shania Twain original songs that had been turned down for her first album. Lange brought considerable experience to this project. He listened, advised, inspired, cowrote, and provided background harmonies to help develop a unique sound midway between Pop, Rock and Country. When the album went over budget, Mutt dipped into his own funds to make Shania's dream a reality. But, for all of that, he insists the album is still essentially Twain's.
Sex Appeal and Marriage
Perhaps, the most controversial topic concerning Shania Twain is her sex appeal. If a man does not find himself spellbound by her looks then he is usually dumbfounded by her appearance. In concert she wears skin-tight black pants, a pair of black platform pumps, and a soft, loose-fitting lavender V-neck bouclé sweater. Sometimes she wears a leather vest with only a white bra underneath. Her chestnut hair falls so gracefully around her face, and while dressed in sexy attire, she still maintains the wholesomeness of every school boy's dream.
Most men find this appealing, but unless a heterosexual woman really enjoys Shania for her music, she is generally appalled or should I say, more accurately, jealous. Shania's appeal though is not so much her looks as much as it is a combination of her appearance, her "girl next door" demeanor, and her incredible, sexy voice. All if this presents a double-edged sword for Shania. Although she won't argue that her looks certainly didn't hurt her in her climb to success, it may have created a glass ceiling, at least temporarily.
Confronted about the issues she reasons, "It's a part of country music, whether Nashville likes it or not." "Music is a very sensual experience, and country music can be very erotic. There are a lot of sexy artists who don't even realize they're sexy. Just look at George Strait and Dwight Yoakam." (Not to mention one-hit wonder Billy Ray Cyrus.) She continues, "Sex appeal and things that are sensuous do not have be threatening."
Regardless of her sex appeal, Shania's old-fashioned attitude and behavior is not that popular with women with feminist perspectives. If it were not for her witty sense of humor, I'm sure even more would be offended by songs like "Any Man of Mind" and "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under". However, female country singers have never been know for their feminist points of view. For example, Tammy Wynette has enraged quite a few people with her infamous "Stand By Your Man"! However, the key to Shania is her since of humor or "don't take life too seriously" attitude.
In addition, there are those that get upset at the idea that she has surrounded herself with domineering men who are the cornerstones of her success. Addressing the issue Twain admits that she's always had strong men in her life. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Shania was raised by her mother and stepfather, who had one child together and adopted another. Twain credits Gerry, her stepfather, with imparting his Native American heritage to her." If anything Gerry taught Shania how to be tough. During her late teenage years, she spent summers working with her father as the foreman of a dozen-man reforestation crew in the Canadian bush, where she learned to handle an axe and a chain saw as well as any man.
Shania is plagued with the even greater controversy surrounding her husband who never appears with her in public. Mutt is rarely ever photographed and he gives no interviews. Since they fist met at Fan Fair '93, the gossip mill has portrayed him as a Howard Hughes. "The mystery that surrounds him has contributed to his reputation," she concedes. "But if he were sitting here, he'd be telling you exactly the way it is. In regards to him never being seen on the road with her, she makes no excuses. "He never comes with me. I don't think he ever will, and I totally understand where he comes from. He's a humble guy and basically he doesn't want to be a star. He just wants to be a person who makes the music. People write that we're getting divorced but nothing could be further from the truth. We're a very happy couple. There are no inhibitions between us whatsoever."
Shania's nickname for Mutt is "Love" while Mutt's nickname for Shania is "Woody", which refers to what he calls the Woody Woodpecker Hairdo she had when they first met. As for a description of the man who is rarely ever photographed, Shania retorts, "Well, he's about 6 feet tall, blond, blue eyes, he's a very sweet, sweet man."
In regards to her success, "It was just like a dream. I could have ended up with an album that's not all that different from anything else coming out of Nashville. Mutt made the difference. He took these songs, my attitude, my creativity, and colored them in a way that is unique."
Shania's Thoughts on Touring
Presently, I cannot think of a single performer who has made their breakthrough of the proportion that Shania has made without ever having a major tour. "The Woman in Me" has sold more than 10 million copies, a feat Twain shares with only five other female artists: Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Carole King and Alanis Morissette. Where she differs is, she is the only one that did not have a major tour to help launch her into the elite.
In fact, critics have stereotyped Shania as a studio creation of her husband since she was reluctant to hit the touring scene earlier. Although she has had only limited stints as a performer, the "Come On Over" tour is scheduled for at least two summers. It will be brought to three continents, North America, Europe and Australia, and will be her opportunity to respond in the most vocal and dramatic way. It's also a chance for her to put a live face on the diverse blends of music that she has created.
Indeed, Shania’s "Come On Over" Tour, which is currently selling out arenas in 15 minutes, promises to be one of the premiere musical events of 1998. Shania optimistically confesses, "When I get out on tour, I'll be able to do a full show of original songs that people will be familiar with. It's going to be ideal, almost like I couldn't have planned it better, even though I didn't really plan it at all. I'm glad I waited, and I'm going to give it all I've got to make it everything the fans have been waiting for."
When asked what the concert fan should expect at a Shania concert, she promises a high spirited show that is suited to her athletic image. Shania insists, "It'll be a little rock 'n' roll. Really high energy. A lot of people mention Tina Turner to me. I've never seen her show, but I guess it will be along the lines of her vibe and excitement. When fans leave my show, I want them to be exhilarated," she says. "When I walk off the stage and I think I've done good, I have a feeling of satisfaction. That's what I want them to feel as an audience. I want them to walk away thinking, 'Yeah, that was great.'"
I mentioned earlier, due to her sex appeal, that Twain had temporarily reached a glass ceiling. Perhaps, her maiden world tour will crack the glass and make the sky the limit. She is currently the queen of Nashville, but her talent and bright outlook could take her much further. With her Canadian roots, Hollywood looks and global ambitions, Twain is on her way to becoming a shooting star like no one ever imagined.