Let's be honest. When that iconic guitar riff kicks in and Shania Twain bellows, "Let's go girls," you’re either already reaching for a microphone or you’re lying.
It’s been over 25 years since the shania twain feel like a woman video first hit CMT and MTV, but the visual hasn't aged a day. In fact, it’s probably more relevant now in 2026 than it was back in 1999. Back then, it was a country star trying to go pop. Today, it’s a masterclass in how to flip the script on gender roles without being a buzzkill.
The Robert Palmer Connection (It Wasn't a Rip-Off)
People like to say she "stole" the concept from Robert Palmer’s 1985 hit "Addicted to Love."
Actually, it was a deliberate, cheeky homage. Directed by Paul Boyd, the video was a total role reversal. Palmer had those blank-eyed, high-fashion female models standing behind him, barely moving, looking like human mannequins. Shania looked at that and said, "Hold my beer."
She swapped the women for a group of buffed, expressionless male models. They’ve got the same slicked-back hair and the same "I’m just here to look pretty" energy. But by putting herself in the center, Shania wasn't just copying a cool aesthetic. She was making a point about who holds the power in the room.
The Mystery of the Male Models
I’ve always found it hilarious how the guys in the video were directed to be so... wooden.
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They aren't "rocking out" in the traditional sense. They are props. One of the models, a guy named Gregory Webb, once mentioned in interviews how specific the direction was. They weren't supposed to be sexy in an aggressive way; they were meant to be satirical.
That Wardrobe: Peeling Back the Layers
Marc Bouwer, Shania's long-time creative partner and stylist, basically created a costume that has its own zip code in pop culture history.
When the video starts, she’s covered up. You see the top hat with the veil, the long black duster coat, and the white button-down with a tie. It's masculine. It’s "business." But as the song progresses, the layers start to come off.
- The Reveal: She sheds the coat to show a black corset, a super short skirt, and those thigh-high velvet boots.
- The Contrast: The veil stays on the hat for a while. It’s this weirdly perfect mix of bridal femininity and "don't mess with me" tailoring.
- The Fit: Fun fact—Shania actually brought that original corset out of retirement for her Las Vegas residency recently. And yeah, it still fit.
Most people don't realize that the art department at the time was terrified. They told her it was "too sexy" and that women would feel threatened by it. Shania, being the boss she is, knew better. She knew women would find it liberating, not intimidating.
Why the Shania Twain Feel Like a Woman Video Matters Now
The song itself was inspired by Shania’s time working at the Deerhurst Resort in Ontario.
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She used to watch the drag performers there and was fascinated by the way they used costumes and makeup to transform. That’s why the video feels so "camp." It’s basically a drag performance in reverse. She’s taking "masculinity" and wearing it like a suit, then discarding it to show that being a woman is whatever you want it to be.
Breaking the Country Music Seal
In the late 90s, Nashville was still pretty buttoned up.
Twain was already catching heat for showing her midriff in other videos. Then she drops a video where she’s surrounded by male eye candy and wearing fishnets. It was a massive middle finger to the "good ol' boys" club. It proved you could be a country artist while looking like a global pop icon.
Filming Secrets and Tech
The video was filmed on January 11, 1993... wait, no, that's her first video. The "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" video was shot in New York City on January 11, 1999.
They used an alternate mix for the video, too. If you listen closely, the guitar and synth parts are slightly dialed back compared to the Come On Over album version. It makes her vocals pop more.
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Daniel Pearl was the cinematographer. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he also shot the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre and about a billion other famous music videos. He used lighting that made everything look high-contrast and expensive. It gave the video a timeless quality that doesn't look like a grainy 90s relic.
The Global Reach
As of early 2026, the video has well over 500 million views on YouTube.
It’s become a massive anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, largely because of that "gender-bending" aesthetic. Shania has explicitly said that "entertainment doesn't have a gender," and this video is the proof.
Actionable Insights for the Shania Fan
If you're looking to channel that Shania energy today, here’s how you actually do it:
- The Look: Don't just go for "sexy." Go for "structured." The magic of the video is the tailoring. A sharp blazer over something delicate is the move.
- The Attitude: The models in the video are "objects," but Shania is the "subject." That’s the psychological shift. It’s about being the one in control of the gaze.
- The Playlist: If you're revisiting this era, check out the International Version of the album. It swaps the fiddles for more pop-heavy production, which is what they used for the video's global release.
Whatever you do, don't forget the leopard print. It wasn't in this specific video (that was "That Don't Impress Me Much"), but in the Shania-verse, it’s all connected. The "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" video was her final form—a woman who wasn't just playing the game, but rewriting the rules.
Next time you're at karaoke and you hear those opening notes, remember: you aren't just singing a song. You're participating in a 25-year-long revolution against being "politically correct" when you just want to have a good time.