Chart Analysis February 13, 2023

Shania Twain’s ‘Queen of Me’ Becomes Her Sixth Top 20 Album in Australia

Shania Twain’s “Queen of Me” entered the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 5, making it her sixth Top 20 long-player in Australia.

It’s her first album since she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, which she says contributed to her voice disorder dysphonia, which required open-threat surgery and therapy over the years

“I was more afraid of never singing again than whatever it took to get through that operation,” she said on a TV show, where the 57-year-old sported a new blonde look.

“The reason you have to be awake for it is so you can sing during the operation,” explaining that surgeons had to see her voice in action to know exactly what to work on.

It took her ages to try to sing after the operation as she was not sure how her voice would sound.

Twain also suffered COVID badly which she remembered was “pretty much dying”.

She wrote about that experience on “Inhale / Exhale Air” from the new album.

“Queen of Me” is already her fourth-highest charting album in Australia.

Three reached No. 1, with “Come On Over” in 1997, “Up!” in 2022 and “Now” in 2017.

“Come On Over”, which sold 40 million worldwide, is one of the biggest releases of all time.

It is also her biggest in Australia, selling 1.2 million copies and certified 15 x platinum.

“Up!” generated 2 x platinum for sales of 140,000.

Other big sellers included “Greatest Hits” (2004) which reached No.10, “VH1 Divas Live” (1998) at No. 12 and “Woman in Me” (1995) which peaked at No. 17.

Twain’s biggest album market is the U.S., where 24 of her studio, live and compilation releases have charted in the Hot 100 (33 in the country charts).

It’s 21 in her native Canada (and 30 in its country charts), 18 in the U.K. and 12 in New Zealand where she had a second home after she married her record producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange in 1993.

She wrote “You’re Still The One” about their relationship. It’s become a favourite of couples having their first dance on their wedding day.

Their break up in 2008 also derailed her career for some years – not just because Lange had given her a radio-friendly sound on some of her biggest hits, which he also co-wrote.

She went into a lengthy depression after she found out Lange was having an affair with her best friend, barely eating or sleeping and feeling “ready to die”.

Ironically, the singer and the ex-friend’s husband turned to each other and found solace.

They now live on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Twain describes “Queen of Me” as a very free-spirited I would say.

“I guess just feeling really comfortable in my own skin, it took me a while, I wish I’d gotten there sooner in my life, but better now than never.”

Shania Twain’s Top 10 Charting Singles in Australia

“You’re Still the One” (1998), No. 1

“That Don’t Impress Me Much” (1999), No. 2

“From This Moment On” with Bryan White (1998), No. 2

“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” (1999) No. 4

“If You’re Not In It For Love (I’m Outta Here)” (1995), No. 5

“Giddy Up” (2023) No. 9 Digital Tracks & No. 27 Country Hot 50

“I’m Gonna Getcha Good!” (2002) No. 14