The Legacy of Shania Twain's Debut Single: 'What Made You Say That
Shania Twain's debut single, "What Made You Say That," may not have been a Top 40 hit, but it holds a special place in her career. Despite peaking at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the track marked the beginning of Twain's musical journey. The song's inclusion on her 1993 self-titled album was a last-minute decision, made just a day before entering the studio to record the album.
Twain's discovery of "What Made You Say That" was serendipitous, as she had already sifted through numerous songs to finalize the album's tracklist. With only 45 minutes left in the studio session, Twain and her band decided to record the song, making it the lead single off her debut album. Subsequent singles, "Dance With The One That Brought You" and "You Lay A Whole Lot Of Love On Me," followed in the coming months.
Interestingly, the song also played a role in connecting Twain to a young Avril Lavigne, who won a radio contest to perform with Twain by singing "What Made You Say That." Lavigne's experience with Twain left a lasting impact on her career, with the pop-punk star crediting Twain's songwriting and perspective as a source of inspiration. The collaboration between the two Canadian artists showcased the influence of Twain's music on future generations of musicians.