What Made You Say That

"What Made You Say That" is the debut single by Canadian country music artist Shania Twain. The song was released on March 6, 1993, as the lead single to her eponymous debut album (1993). The song was written by Tony Haselden and Stan Munsey Jr. and produced by Harold Shedd and Norro Wilson, who also produced her album. The song was initially recorded by American country singer and actor Wayne Massey for his third and final studio album Wayne Massey and Black Hawk (1989).

The song itself was not a commercial success, only peaking at number 55 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 70 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The song did receive attention due to its controversial at the time music video, directed by Steven Goldmann, which prominently showed Twain's midriff. The music video was later banned by CMT. The song's success did lead her to winning the 1993 Rising Star award from CMT Europe. Twain performed the song live at the 1993 Canadian CMAs and would later include it on her Come On Over Tour, the only song from her debut album to be included. During the tour's performances, Twain brought a local child who won a radio contest to perform it in front of everyone, with Twain singing backup vocals. One rendition was sung by a then unknown Avril Lavigne, who was only 13 when she performed with Twain on stage. Although not included on her 2004 Greatest Hits compilation, it was later included on 2022's Not Just a Girl (The Highlights), which was released to coincide with the Netflix documentary of the same name.

Critical reception
Billboard magazine reviewed the song as "sassy, buoyant, catchy, and supported by an alluring video."

Music video
The music video for "What Made You Say That" was shot at Miami Beach, Florida and directed by Steven Goldmann. It was filmed on January 12, 1993, and released on February 5, 1993, on CMT. The video featured Twain dancing around on the beach with her love interest. The video is available on Twain's 2001 DVD The Platinum Collection.

Chart performance
"What Made You Say That" debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart the week of March 27, 1993 at number 74. It spent 18 weeks on the chart and climbed to a peak position of number 55 on May 15, 1993, where it remained for two weeks.

Releases

 * US 7" single (1993) Mercury 864-992
 * 1) "What Made You Say That"
 * 2) "Crime of the Century"


 * US cassette single (1993) Mercury 862 992-4

Side 1 Side 2
 * 1) "What Made You Say That"
 * 1) "You Lay a Whole Lot of Love on Me"