Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (1999) is a high-energy, genre-blending anthem that stands as one of the most iconic celebrations of female empowerment in modern music. With its bold message, playful lyrics, and crossover appeal, it became a defining song for both Twain’s career and the late 1990s pop/country landscape. Song Overview Released: March 8, 1999 (International Women’s Day) Album: Come On Over (1997) Genre: Country-pop, country rock Writer: Shania Twain & Robert John “Mutt” Lange Chart Success: Top 10 in the UK, Australia, and Canada Won Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards Helped Come On Over become the best-selling studio album by a female solo artist in history Empowerment Message The song flips the traditionally male-dominated country genre on its head, unapologetically celebrating femininity, confidence, and freedom. Lyrics like: "The best thing about being a woman / Is the prerogative to have a little fun!" champion a woman’s right to dress how she wants, party how she wants, and be bold without apology. It reclaims the phrase “man, I feel like a woman” as a joyful declaration of identity and autonomy—no longer passive or objectified. Visual Iconography The music video (a gender-reversal homage to Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love) features Twain in a black corset and top hat, leading a band of male models—challenging gender norms with style and humor. Her confident strut and direct gaze in the video helped define female star power for a new era. Cultural Legacy Embraced not just by country fans, but also by the pop world, feminist movements, and the LGBTQ+ community as a liberating, feel-good anthem. Still a karaoke favorite, sports anthem, and rallying cry at events celebrating women’s rights and pride. Has been used in: Film & TV (Bridget Jones’s Diary, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Queer Eye) Commercials and award show performances Lasting Impact Helped redefine what female empowerment could sound and look like in country music—glamorous, fearless, and fun. Cemented Shania Twain as a trailblazer in pushing female narratives into the mainstream without compromising style or sound. Continues to be referenced and covered by artists celebrating self-love and womanhood. In Summary: “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” is far more than a catchy tune—it's an anthem of empowerment, self-expression, and joyful liberation. With its infectious energy and fearless message, it remains a cultural touchstone that empowers women—and anyone embracing their identity—to take the spotlight and own it.