Everybody you know is into pop, right? That’s why it’s called “popular music” in the first place? Well, believe it or not, that’s not quite true. If you want to make music and money you have to appeal to more basic sentiments. In the German speaking world, you need to write Schlager or Volkstümliche Musik – like the Zillertaler Schürzenjäger, most of whom, I kid you not, are actually quite capable as jazz musicians. If you’re in the ‘mericas you need to perform Country.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t do a little cross-over. Which explains why it turns out the best-selling female country music artist of all times isn’t Dolly Parton after all! The title belongs to a Canadian – Shania Twain.

She released “That Don’t Impress Me Much” in two versions, but the so-called Country Version didn’t impress that audience too much. Contrary to the previous six singles she had released, this one totally failed to become #1 on the charts (well, it did make it to #8, which is more than most singers could wish for…). The International aka Dance Version, however, became a worldwide hit.

Her knack for choosing what would prove to be popular is also demonstrated by calling out Brad Pitt – there were so many famous actors at the time whose names you would most likely not recognize anymore these days…