for other artists.


10. 'Disturbia' (From Chris Brown to Rihanna)
Brown wrote this song for a rerelease of his 'Exclusive' album. Then Rihanna heard it, and when Brown agreed that it would work better as a female-oriented song, she took it -- to No. 1. In light of recent events, perhaps Brown's allowing his girlfriend to have 'Disturbia' was a hint that he might have a hidden dark side.

9. 'Toxic' (From Kylie Minogue to Britney Spears)
When offered first dibs, Minogue declined. She's probably still sore from kicking herself when 'Toxic' debuted in the U.K. at No. 1 the same week that she entered the chart four spots behind with the less memorable 'Red Blooded Woman.'

8. 'Miss Independent' (From Destiny's Child to Christina Aguilera to Kelly Clarkson)
When Destiny's Child refused 'Miss Independent,' producer Rhett Lawrence brought it to Aguilera, who had a go at it but gave it up. It then fell into the lap of Clarkson, who turned it into a smash. Aguilera was naturally miffed about letting the song slip away, but she admitted that Clarkson nailed it.

7. 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing' (From Celine Dion to Aerosmith)
What could Aerosmith possibly have in common with Dion, aside from big hair? The raucous rockers took this schmaltzy Diane Warren tune -- originally intended for the big-voiced pop balladeer -- and turned it into gold. Ten years after they hit big with 'Dude Looks Like a Lady,' they were singing like one themselves.

6. 'Halo' (From Leona Lewis to Beyonce)
Simon Cowell takes Lewis' career so seriously that the 'Idol' curmudgeon had this song composed expressly for his protegee. However, Lewis was too busy to record 'Halo,' so it wound up in the hands of Beyonce. Cowell was surely less than his usual jolly self when Beyonce hit big with it.

5. 'Rock Your Body' (From Michael Jackson to Justin Timberlake)
Superstar producers the Neptunes created this track for Michael Jackson's comeback album, 'Invincible,' but it didn't make the cut. Instead, Timberlake snared it and took it to the Top 5. Ironically, this was the song JT performed with Janet Jackson at Super Bowl XXXVIII during her infamous wardrobe malfunction.

4. 'Since U Been Gone' (From Pink to Hilary Duff to Kelly Clarkson)
Clarkson was America's first 'American Idol,' but she was third in line for this song. After Pink and Duff both gave it the thumbs down, Clarkson scooped it up and landed a No. 2 smash, proving she had staying power beyond reality TV.

3. 'Gold Digger' (From Shawnna to Kanye West)
West originally created 'Gold Digger' for hip-hop hopeful Shawnna's solo debut, but she rejected it. West reworked the lyrics for himself and then took 'Gold' platinum. Meanwhile, the only precious metal Shawnna's been rocking lately is her tin ear.

2. 'Baby One More Time' (From TLC to Britney Spears)
TLC were way too grown for teen pop when they were offered this song, opting for mature tracks like 'Waterfalls' instead. 'One More Time' became a career rocket-launcher for Spears, and it midwifed the rebirth of bubblegum. Chalk up another one for Britney!

1. 'Umbrella' (From Britney Spears to Rihanna)
Spears' streak ended when her label's execs stopped accepting songs for her album. The heavens opened instead for Rihanna, who made 'Umbrella' the biggest single in the world. It's one of three trash-picked tracks she has taken to No. 1, along with 'S.O.S' (passed on by Christina Milian) and 'Disturbia.'

StarCat said:

Right before Rhianna, the demo version of Umbrella was also turned down by Mary J. Blige as well.

I thought it was always claimed that Christina Aguilera wrote "Miss Independent'?

im speculating, but wasn't the smash hit SOS performed by Rihanna originally for Christian Milian???

- Aretha Franklin I think rejected "Upside Down" and "I'm Coming Out" that went to Diana Ross

Cool

I've never heard 90% of those songs.

Vendetta1 said:

I'm shocked! More importantly, I'm curious which one you've actually heard. I'm going to guess "Umbrella," but I'd say about half of them were nearly inescapable at some point (and I haven't listened to the radio in 8 years).

AlexdeParis said:

I looked again and it's only 60%. I have heard umbrella, toxic, gold digger of course and rock your body. I don't listen to radio either and don;t watch videos on t.v.

Britney could record something from her arse and it would top the charts, it's not the song that counts, it's the singer and whether they're "hot" or not.

Vendetta1 said:

Wow, how have you not heard 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing' or 'Baby One More Time'? They're more famous then all the other songs on there

Arnotts said:

Oh shit! I must be hella sleepy.

Yes I have heard both of those.

Wasn't most of Control rejected by Sharon Bryant?

"Holiday" by Madonna was rejected by Mary Wilson.

"Open Your Heart" by Madge was rejected by both The Temptations and Cyndi Lauper, before Madonna re-wrote the lyrics.

The music for "La Isla Bonita" was passed over by Michael Jackson; Madonna wrote the lyrics later.

I know Bowie wrote "Golden Years" for Elvis. Not sure if he passed on it, or wasn't aware of it.

Billy Idol passed on "Don't You (Forget About Me)", so did Bryan Ferry. I think Simple Minds almost did also.

Janet Jackson passed on "How Will I Know".

Not sure if Michael Jackson passed on "Ain't Nobody" or if it just wasn't ever given to him.

The whispers passed on Roses are Red which was done by the Mac Band.
I think the whispers would have done a better job on it with their
signature sound.

Axchi696 said:

I can totally see Idol doing "dont you (forget about me)". Songs producer Keith Forsey produced for Billy back then, so even that fitted. Shame he passed it up.

Arnotts said:

That's what I heard too

The Pleasure Principle (From Prince to Janet Jackson)
Love Shoulda Brought You Home (From Anita Baker to Toni Braxton)
Dim All The Lights (From Rod Stewart to Donna Summers)

thesexofit said:

He actually did end up doing it on his 2001 Greatest Hits CD. Not bad, not great.

This Old Heart of Mine (Supremes to Isley Brothers)
I Feel Good All Over (Patti LaBelle to Stephanie Mills)
Upside Down (Aretha Franklin to Diana Ross)
Do You Love Me (The Temptations to The Contours)
Dancing in the Street (Kim Weston to Martha and the Vandellas)
My Girl (The Miracles to The Temptations)
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (The Miracles/Isleys to Marvin Gaye/Gladys Knight)
I Want You (Leon Ware to Marvin Gaye)
I Want You Back (Gladys Knight to The Jackson 5)
Until You Come Back to Me (Gladys Knight to Aretha Franklin)
Nobody's Supposed To Be Here (Patti LaBelle to Deborah Cox)
All The Man I Need (Patti LaBelle to Whitney Houston)
I'm Ready for Love (The Supremes to Martha and the Vandellas)
Where Did Our Love Go (The Marvelettes/Velvelettes to The Supremes)
War (The Temptations to Edwin Starr)
If I Can't Have You (The Bee Gees to Yvonne Elliman)

----
That's all that popped out of my head besides those already mentioned. I think Patti turned down two or three more songs too but I'm not sure what...

Axchi696 said:

Really? Cool.

Christina is listed as co-writer of "Miss Independent" and there was a bit of hurt feelings over that song going to Kelly. But it got smoothed out and Christina said she liked Kelly's vocals on it.

I did not know Chris Brown wrote "Disturbia"!!
[Edited 2/25/09 22:12pm]

bettybop said:

iam sure its just a co-write LOL

Timmy84 said:

Auntie Patti is dumb as ALL hell, Jack

Aretha also turned down the WHOLE 1st album by Natalie Cole(Yep, This Will Be was written with ReRe in mind).

Arnotts said:

I guess one working version was becuase Christina is listed as a writer in the credits of Kelly's version.

Harlepolis said:

REAL dumb.
Oh yeah @ Aretha/Natalie, I knew I forgot one, lol.

Axchi696 said:

It was also rejected by Patti LaBelle,too.

In the early 80s,Donna Summer was offered the song "What's Love Got To Do With It" but she turned it down.It became Tina Turner's signature hit.

Donna was also offered the song "It's Raining Men" but she turned it down,and it was recorded by the Weather Girls in 1983.This song was also submitted to Diana Ross,but she turned it down,too.

Harlepolis said:

Yeah,Aretha made some questionable decisions in the 70s.I think she was pissed when she turned down that project and saw that it became a big hit for Natalie...lol...she even added "This Will Be" to her own concerts,probably regretting that she turned it down.

SoulAlive said:

Damn, another song!?!

What's next? "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"?

SoulAlive said:

So did Barbra Streisand for some reason.

Good thing the Weather Girls recorded it. It didn't really fit either three's styles.