The Irony of Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One”

Considering “You’re Still The One” is among the most romantic songs ever, the irony behind the love story that inspired it seems almost Greek in terms of its dramatic nature. At the time of its release, Shania Twain was still a relatively unknown country singer. With the 1997 album, Come On Over, she found mainstream success with its pop crossover appeal.

Although “You’re Still The One” wasn’t the first single from Come On Over (for some reason, “Love Gets Me Every Time” was), it led Twain into the spotlight upon being released as the second single in 1998. Its sultry, heartfelt lyrics were co-written by her husband, famed producer Mutt Lange. Their relationship was criticized from their very start, with many insisting that Twain was using him to the advantage of her own career, and that he was inappropriately old for her.

Instead of letting her detractors get into her head, Twain wrote a song about the intensity of their love, resulting in her best charting single yet. However, this declarative assertion of staying together in spite of harrowing circumstances must have proven too tempting to fate, as Mutt Lange eventually ended up having an affair with Twain’s best friend, prompting them to get divorced in 2010. Oh, the bittersweetness Twain must feel upon having to ever hear or sing “You’re Still The One” now.