In the music industry, songs are passed around like hot potatoes. Demo songs are sent to artists, rejected, and recorded by another. Songs for Celine Dion and Chris Brown become hits by Aerosmith and Rihanna. Personal notes – in both senses – by the performers in songwriting are often missing. From endless examples, ROLLING STONE has selected ten prominent songs whose fate and goal were originally supposed to be completely different.
“Telephone” – Lady Gaga / Intended for Britney Spears
Before Stefani Germanotta became known as Lady Gaga, she was active as a songwriter for other artists and wrote songs for The Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears. Her future hit “Telephone,” which she ultimately recorded with Beyoncé, was her own pen, but initially to be featured on Britney Spears’ 2008 album “Circus.” This never happened, so the song went unused Lady Gaga returned – today she will be happy about it. A demo with Spears’ vocals supposedly exists, although there are still doubts about the authenticity of the voice.
“How Will I Know” – Whitney Houston / Intended for Janet Jackson
The songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam actually wrote the ballad, which ultimately ended up with Whitney Houston, for Janet Jackson. A&M Records asked the duo to send this song to Janet Jackson’s management, but Michael Jackson’s sister politely declined the song. She had previously separated from her father, Joseph Jackson, as manager and appointed John McClain as his successor. The long-awaited breakthrough was finally coming.
In the middle of recording their album “Control” in 1985, “How Will I Know” didn’t quite fit into the vision of the record – the breakthrough came despite everything. The label held on to the song and eventually gave it to Houston, making it one of their biggest hits. A classic win-win situation.
“Halo” – Beyoncé / Intended for Leona Lewis
This example is simple: Leona Lewis was too busy to record the song, so Beyoncé grabbed it. Behind the scenes, Lewis’ mentor Simon Cowell worked diligently to get Ryan Tedder to write the song for his protégé, but Tedder didn’t want to wait. Tedder’s version of the story, however, is somewhat different.
According to the One Republic singer, the song was meant for Beyoncé all along. All he did was give the song to Lewis so that Beyoncé would rush to record it. His reasoning: If Beyonce thought another artist on the A-list of R’n’B singers wanted the single, she would definitely want it for herself.
“Hero” – Mariah Carey / Thought for Gloria Estefan
According to Mariah Carey, this US number one was originally intended for the 1992 Dustin Hoffman film of the same name, but the film’s producers switched to Luther Vandross’ Heart of a Hero instead. While writing the chart-topper, Carey was told that the song was intended for Gloria Estefan. Carey herself even said that the song didn’t fit her style. However, after she and her team played it to her record label, the latter insisted that Carey keep it for herself. She tailored the song to her needs and finally released it under her name.
“I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” – Aerosmith / Intended for Celine Dion
When Liv Tyler landed her first major role in Armaggedon, her father, Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith, and his band were asked to write a sentimental song for the film. After hitting the road to promote their album Nine Lives, the band went into the studio for that purpose. Contrary to her hopes, it turned out to be extremely difficult for her to find the right song, but the clock was ticking inexorably against her. Eventually they found a track by acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren that was originally intended for Celine Dion. “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” became one of their biggest hits.
“Miss Independent” – Kelly Clarkson / Designed for Destiny’s Child
For Kelly Clarkson, it wasn’t the first time that a song was thrown at her that was actually intended for someone else. Her huge hit “Since U Been Gone” was initially rejected by Pink and Hillary Duff before ultimately ending up with her. Clarkson’s debut album also includes “Miss Independent”, a song that was passed on from Destiny’s Child to Christina Aguilera, who contributed large parts of the lyrics. However, he didn’t make it onto the Aguilera album “Stripped.” Kelly Clarkson wrote the bridge and eventually recorded the song. She definitely got respect for it – Christina Aguilera later emphasized how much she liked Clarkson’s version.
“I’m A Slave 4 U” – Britney Spears / Intended for Janet Jackson
Britney Spears’ legendary Python performance at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards almost never happened. Well, maybe she would have at some point, although not to the song “I’m A Slave For You.” Producing team The Neptunes (Pharell Williams and Chad Hugo) originally conceived the song to fit Janet Jackson’s typically sexually charged orientation, but eventually gave it to the girl next door. For Spears, it was supposed to be the transition from girl to mature woman.
“Toxic” – Britney Spears / Intended for Kylie Minogue
“Toxic” was written by the same person responsible for Minogue’s hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” The British Cathy Dennis is one of the most sought-after songwriters in the world and has had her hand in numerous productions, including “I Kissed A Girl” by Katy Perry. Minogue never commented on why she rejected the song – it gave Britney Spears her only Grammy.
“Umbrella” – Rihanna / Intended for Britney Spears
Early in Rihanna’s career, she often received what others left over (including “SOS,” which was rejected by Christina Milian). Britney Spears had just finished recording her album “Blackout,” so the people in charge at her label rejected “Umbrella” and passed it on to Mary J. Blige. Blige didn’t see it for himself either, which is why the song ended up in the hands of Rihanna. Just like the Grammy she received for it in 2008.
“Disturbia” – Rihanna / Intended for Chris Brown
Originally, “Disturbia” was supposed to end up on the re-release of Chris Brown’s “Exclusive” album. However, he was of the opinion that a female voice would be better suited for this. “Disturbia” was Rihanna’s third number one hit in the US and also brought producer Brian Kennedy worldwide fame.