That Don't Impress Me Much

Synopsis

The song describes three self-absorbed suitors with whom Twain, as the title implies, is not impressed: a know-it-all ("OK, so you're a rocket scientist"), a man obsessed with his hair ("so you're Brad Pitt"), and another obsessed with his car. Twain states that brains, hair and the car "won't keep (her) warm in the middle of the night" and seeks a man with "the touch" that can do so.

Critical reception

After the single's 1998 country release, Billboard magazine wrote that "it doesn't sound remotely country" and criticized the simplistic lyrics, but praised the melody's "quirky appeal," Twain's delivery," and Robert "Mutt" Lange's "skillful production." After the single's 1999 pop release, in a separate review, the magazine said that the single "could possibly solidify Twain's status as the decade's crossover queen," though they criticized Lange's use of "dated-sounding instrumental elements to 'pop' it up."

Music video

The music video for "That Don't Impress Me Much" was shot in the Mojave Desert at El Mirage Dry Lake and Barstow, California. It was directed by Paul Boyd and shot on November 3 and 4th, 1998; it was released on December 2, 1998 on CMT. It depicts Twain hitchhiking in the middle of the desert, in a hooded leopard skin outfit (though in some scenes the hooded outfit is open, showing a matching bra), and being approached by several men offering her a ride out of the desert. These include a man in a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, on a motorcycle, in an army jeep, a tanker truck, and on a Friesian horse. One of the men was played by male model John Devoe, previously appeared in her "You're Still the One" video. The video won the Video of the Year award at the Canadian Country Music Awards and the MuchMoreMusic Award at the 1999 MuchMusic Video Awards. Two versions of the video were made, one with the 'Original Album Version', released to country channels, and the 'Dance Mix Edit' released to pop and international stations. The 'Original Album Version' of the video is available on Twain's DVD The Platinum Collection. It ranked number 77 on VH1's 100 Greatest Videos in Rock and Roll in 2001 and number 45 on CMT's 100 Greatest Videos in Country Music in 2004, making it the only video to make both lists. It was also named country music's sexiest video in 2006 by CMT Canada.

Chart performance

"That Don't Impress Me Much" debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart the week of December 12, 1998 at number 60, the highest debut of the week. The single spent 20 weeks on the chart and climbed to a peak position of number eight on February 27, 1999, where it remained for one week. The single became Twain's tenth top ten (sixth consecutive), and her 12th top 20 single on the country charts. "That Don't Impress Me Much" also topped the Country Singles Sales chart for five weeks.

At adult contemporary radio, "That Don't Impress Me Much" debuted at number 22 the week of April 17, 1999, the weeks highest debut, as well as Twain's highest debut of all time on the AC chart. The single spent 26 weeks on the chart and quickly climbed to a peak position of number eight on June 5, 1999, where it remained for one week. "That Don't Impress Me Much" became Twain's third consecutive top ten single.

"That Don't Impress Me Much" was also Twain's third most successful single on the Billboard Hot 100. It debuted on January 23, 1999 at number 80. It spent 28 weeks on the chart and peaked at number seven for two weeks starting June 12, 1999; it reached number five in airplay and 11 in sales.

Internationally, "That Don't Impress Me Much" became Twain's biggest single in the United Kingdom. It debuted, at its peak, on May 22, 1999 at number three, where it remained for three weeks, and remained in the top ten for another seven weeks. It remained on the entire chart for 21 weeks. "That Don't Impress Me Much" became Twain's third (second consecutive) top ten in the United Kingdom and the best selling non-number one single of the year in the country. Elsewhere, the song hit number one in Belgium, Ireland, Norway and New Zealand, where it debuted at number one, and was later certified Platinum.

In all, "That Don't Impress Me Much" hit the top ten in 15 countries, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In Australia "That Don't Impress Me Much" Debuted at #5, reaching #2 on its third week and staying there for 7 weeks as Britney Spears' single ...Baby One More Time was keeping its top position. The single stayed on the top 100 for 23 weeks and made the eighth highest selling single of 1999.

Releases

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Dance Mix) — 4:43
2. "From This Moment On" (Tempo Mix) — 4:03
3. "From This Moment On" (Dance Mix) — 6:22
4. "Honey, I'm Home" (Live/Direct TV Mix) — 3:46

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Dance Mix Edit) — 3:59
2. "From This Moment On" (Tempo Mix) — 4:03
3. "From This Moment On" (Solo Vocal/Remix) — 3:46

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" — 3:38
2. "You're Still The One" — 3:34
3. "Medley" (Live/Direct TV Mix) — 7:26

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Dance Mix Edit) — 3:59
2. "From This Moment On" (Tempo Mix) — 4:03

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Dance Mix Edit) — 3:59
2. "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" — 3:53

1. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Remix #1) — 3:59
2. "That Don't Impress Me Much" (Remix #2) — 3:40

Official versions

Personnel

1. Paul Franklin – pedal steel
2. Brent Mason – electric guitar solo
3. Bill Watson – rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
4. Paul Leim – drums, cowbell
5. Joe Chemay – electric bass