OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Shania Twain is one of the most successful and influential country music artists of all time, with a career that has spanned decades and produced countless hits. However, there is one song that she always dreamed of hearing performed by none other than fellow Canadian superstar, Celine Dion. In a candid recent interview with Us Weekly, the 59-year-old singer revealed the song that she never expected to become a hit for herself, but which she had originally written with Dion in mind: “From This Moment On.”
Released as a single from her 1997 album Come On Over, “From This Moment On” quickly became one of Twain’s most iconic songs, earning critical acclaim and winning numerous accolades. Yet, Twain admits that she never intended to record it herself. Instead, she wrote the song with the intention of passing it on to Dion, who was enjoying massive success at the time with her album Let’s Talk About Love.
“I really didn’t want to record that song myself,” Twain shared. “I wrote it because I wanted Celine Dion to sing it.” Twain’s hopes for the song, however, were dashed when Dion never got the chance to take on the ballad. As Twain put it, “She probably doesn’t even know who I am.”
Despite her initial hesitation to record “From This Moment On,” Twain’s producer urged her to give it a try, and it ultimately became one of the most defining songs of her career. Looking back, Twain reflects on the song’s success with mixed feelings: “I really thought about it being a power pop ballad, but it worked for me. It’s a really big, big ballad for me.”
Twain also confessed that she never had the chance to tell Dion that the song was written specifically with her in mind. “I think it’s too late now,” she joked. “It’s already my hit. She can’t have it now.”
While Twain is undoubtedly proud of the song’s success, it’s clear that she still harbors a deep admiration for Dion, and the two Canadian singers share a unique bond. Though their paths diverged in the 1990s, both went on to carve out their own legendary careers, with Dion dominating the pop and adult contemporary charts, and Twain transforming country music with her groundbreaking sound.
As Twain prepares to celebrate her 60th birthday later this year, she shows no signs of slowing down. She’s recently wrapped up her Come On Over tour in Las Vegas and will continue her Queen of Me Tour this summer. For Twain, it’s all about enjoying the journey and finding new ways to contribute to the music world, whether through creating magic with her own music or collaborating with up-and-coming artists.
“I really have nothing left to prove,” she says with a sense of contentment and purpose. “I want to focus more on the things that I can change or contribute to—I can create magic through music, and I have so many things I want to accomplish and have fun with, whether it’s music or film.”
With a career that has already spanned over three decades, Twain’s legacy is firmly cemented. But her ambition remains boundless, as she envisions herself continuing to push the envelope in music and beyond. “I have to live to be 120!” she joked.
Shania Twain may have never gotten the chance to hear Celine Dion sing “From This Moment On,” but her own rendition of the song continues to resonate with fans around the world. And as she heads into the next chapter of her career, it’s clear that Twain still has plenty more to offer.