Mercury Nashville released the song on January 2, 1995 to country radio as the lead single from her second studio album The Woman in Me (1995).

After seeing the video for "What Made You Say That" on CMT Europe, Mutt Lange, who had been wanting to move in a country direction after producing massively success rock albums for artists like AC/DC and Def Leppard, came into contact with her and the two began talking hours on the phone, with Twain singing him original songs and Lange offering to produce her album.

After noticing high amounts of the album selling, radio stations began playing the song into heavy rotation.

The video features Twain wearing a red dress, walking around in a smoky restaurant in the country.

Billboard magazine praised Twain's "velvety vocals" and the "neat production twists" on the song.

[2] Music & Media wrote, "Ways to be jealous get new elan from lyrics only cowgirls can sing with so much rivalry in their voice.

debuted on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart the week of January 14, 1995 at number 71.