10 Famous Songs That Were Originally Written for Other Artists
A hit song can feel inseparable from the voice that made it famous, but many chart-toppers began with someone else in mind. Artists pass on tracks all the time because the timing feels wrong, the style does not fit, or a label changes direction, and those choices can subtly shift pop history. These songs eventually landed with unexpected performers, showing how one decision can redirect an entire career.
…Baby One More Time Was Meant for TLC
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Max Martin originally pitched …Baby One More Time to TLC, thinking their edgy style would suit the bold chorus. The group passed, reportedly uncomfortable with the “hit me” lyric. That decision cleared the path for a then-unknown Britney Spears. Her version helped define the late ’90s teen pop wave and launched Martin as a top-tier hitmaker.
Rock Your Body Was Offered to Michael Jackson
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Written with Michael Jackson in mind, Rock Your Body was intended for his Invincible album, but didn’t make the cut. The song landed in Justin Timberlake’s lap instead and found a home on Justified, his first solo project. Timberlake kept the MJ-inspired vocal runs but gave the track his own spin, which helped kick off his post-*NSYNC career.
Pretty Hurts Got Turned Down Twice Before Beyoncé Took It
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Sia wrote Pretty Hurts in one session alongside Titanium. She offered it to Katy Perry, who didn’t respond. Then it went to Rihanna’s team, but it sat in email limbo. Eventually, Beyoncé heard it and made it the opening track of her self-titled visual album. Sia called it her favorite Beyoncé vocal performance.
Irreplaceable Was Meant to Be Country
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Ne-Yo imagined Irreplaceable as a guitar-led country track and hoped someone like Shania Twain would take it. The structure and melody stayed, but when Beyoncé came into the picture, the production shifted toward R&B. It became an anthem that topped charts and helped redefine her sound during the B’Day era.
Don’t Cha Was Offered to Two Other Artists First
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Before it became a massive hit for The Pussycat Dolls, Don’t Cha had a few false starts. Tori Alamaze released an early version, but it didn’t gain traction. The song was also floated to Paris Hilton. Eventually, it was revamped, Busta Rhymes was added, and the Dolls turned it into one of the best-selling singles of 2005.
Whataya Want from Me Came Off P!nk’s Cutting Room Floor
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P!nk co-wrote Whataya Want from Me with Max Martin and Shellback during her Funhouse sessions. She recorded a demo but decided not to include it on the album. The track was offered to Adam Lambert, whose performance helped define his early solo career and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Hollaback Girl Was Gwen Stefani’s Response to an Insult
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Courtney Love once dismissed Gwen Stefani as nothing more than a cheerleader. Rather than take offense, Stefani ran with it. She and Pharrell built Hollaback Girl around the idea, flipping the insult into a loud, confrontational anthem. The beat and the attitude made it an unlikely but undeniable number-one hit.
Shape of You Was Supposed to Be for Rihanna
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Ed Sheeran didn’t plan to sing Shape of You himself. The track was written with Rihanna in mind, including the tropical beat and sparse instrumentation. But as Sheeran kept working on it, he decided to keep it. The risk worked out: it became Spotify’s most-streamed song ever at one point.
Breakaway Started as an Avril Lavigne Track
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Breakaway was originally written by Avril Lavigne for her debut album. She passed on it, saying it didn’t fit her style at the time. The song was handed to Kelly Clarkson, who recorded it for The Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack. It later became the title track for her second album and showed a more introspective side of her vocal range.
Happy Was First Recorded by CeeLo Green
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Pharrell Williams wasn’t the first to sing Happy. He gave the track to CeeLo Green, who recorded a version that Pharrell later said sounded better than his own. But CeeLo’s label didn’t want him to release it. Pharrell stepped in, recorded his version, and turned it into one of the biggest global hits of the 2010s.