Whitney Houston's song ''How Will I Know'' was originally meant for Janet
Jackson

Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time'' was originally written for TLC but they turned it down.

Beyonce's ''Halo'' was originally written for Leona Lewis.

Justin Timberlake's ''Rock Your Body'' was originally written for Michael Jackson.

Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” was originally written for Pink ... and Hilary Duff also passed on it.

Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was originally written for Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige also passed on it.

Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” was originally written for Shawnna.

Rihanna’s “Disturbia” was originally written for Chris Brown.

Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was originally written for Celine Dion.

Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” was originally written for Destiny’s Child . . . and Christina Aguilera also passed on it.

Britney Spears’ “Toxic” was originally written for Kylie Minogue.

Spinning Around (2000)
Paula Abdul => Kylie Minogue
The song was originally intended for Abdul to record for her then "comeback album". Abdul had said that she wrote the song about her divorce to second husband, clothing designer Brad Beckerman. But, she did not, and Minogue later recorded the song for her seventh studio album "Light Years" (2000).

Can't Get You Out of My Head (2001)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor => Kylie Minogue
Originally intended for her debut album "Read My Lips". Sophie Ellis-Bextor turned down "Can't Get You Out of My Head" which was a worldwide (and biggest hit to date) for Kylie Minogue.

Holiday (1983)
Phyllis Hyman => Mary Wilson => Madonna
This was originally offered to Phyllis Hyman and then Mary Wilson, but both turned it down. The song has since become known as a classic Madonna track and helped boost her popularity when she was just breaking into the business.

La Isla Bonita (1986)
Michael Jackson => Madonna
The music for "La Isla Bonita" was passed over by Michael Jackson; Madonna wrote the lyrics later.

Open Your Heart (1986)
Cyndi Lauper => Madonna
Written by Gardner Cole and Peter Rafelson, intended for Cyndi Lauper, recorded by Madonna.

I'm a Slave 4 U (2001)
Janet Jackson => Jennifer Lopez => Britney Spears
"I'm a Slave 4 U" was intended for Janet Jackson who disliked it and passed it to Jennifer Lopez, who passed it to Britney Spears.

Boys (2002)
Janet Jackson => Britney Spears

Sweet Dreams My LA Ex (2003)
Britney Spears => Rachel Stevens
This song was written for Britney as an answer song to "Cry Me a River".

Telephone (2009)
Britney Spears => Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga wrote the song and gave it to Britney Spears, who never ended up using it for her album. Gaga took the song back and made it a duet with Beyoncé Knowles, which turned out to be a monster smash for the both of them.

Let's Get Loud (2000)
Gloria Estefan => Jennifer Lopez
The song was originally written for Gloria Estefan, but feeling it was a little too similar to many of her previous songs, she decided that Lopez could put a new spin on it and would have more fun with it.

Play (2001)
Christina Milian => Jennifer Lopez
Intended for Christina Milian's debut album (Milian did write the track and do backing vocals).

Get Right (2005)
Usher => Jennifer Lopez
It was originally recorded by Usher and called "Ride".

Don't Cha (2006)
Paris Hilton => The Pussycat Dolls

Un-Break My Heart (1996)
Céline Dion => Toni Braxton

What's Love Got to Do with It (1984)
Donna Summer => Phyllis Hyman => Tina Turner
It was offered to Donna Summer and Phyllis Hyman, but it was Tina Turner who decided to record it.

It's Raining Men
Donna Summer => Diana Ross => The Weather Girls
It was offered to Donna Summer, then to Diana Ross but they both rejected it. The Weather Girls recorded it.

Ring My Bell (1979)
Stacy Lattisaw => Anita Ward
"Ring My Bell" was originally offered to Stacy Lattisaw with different but still provocative lyrics (for her age at the time), so Anita Ward got it and she was barely 21 herself.

Upside Down (1980)
Aretha Franklin => Diana Ross
Originally meant for Aretha, Aretha rejected it.

Physical (1980)
Rod Stewart => Olivia Newton-John

SOS (2006)
Christina Milian => Rihanna
Originally meant for Christina Milian who rejected it.

DJ got Us Falling in Love (2010)
Rihanna => Usher
Originally meant for Rihanna who rejected it

Till the World Ends (2011)
Kesha=> Britney Spears
Originally meant for Kesha who rejected it

http://www.spinner.com/20...r/#photo-5

[Edited 4/29/12 17:15pm]

[Edited 4/29/12 17:17pm]

Madonna's "Live To Tell" was meant for Michael Jackson

Whitney's "I Have Nothing" was meant for Patti LaBelle

Mariah's "Hero" was meant for Gloria Estefan

Stevie's "Superstition" was meant for Jeff Beck

EDIT: You had to edit the post I had so much more and tyou took them all

[Edited 4/29/12 17:27pm]

I heard that Patti LaBelle also turned down "Holiday" seems that none of these R&B divas wanted to record it.

George Martin had The Beatles record How Do You Do It?. They didn't like the song and didn't want to record it. But the group managed to talk the record label into not releasing it, and the song was given to Gerry & the Pacemakers, who put it out as a single.

SoulAlive said:

I heard that Patti LaBelle also turned down "Holiday" seems that none of these R&B divas wanted to record it.

I do feel like Madonna purposely chose the most black sounding songs she could for her first album

"Rocket 2 U" was originally offered to Earth Wind and Fire for their 1987 Touch The World album.They turned it down and it was given to The Jets instead.

SoulAlive said:

"Rocket 2 U" was originally offered to Earth Wind and Fire for their 1987 Touch The World album.They turned it down and it was given to The Jets instead.

I never would have thought that. They couldn't have picked a better group to give it to

Several songs from All Things Must Pass (George Harrison) & Ram (Paul McCartney) were written for The Beatles. John Lennon's solo singles Cold Turkey & Jealous Guy were also rejected Beatles songs.

"Wishing On A Star" was originally written for Barbra Streisand.She turned it down and it was given to R&B/funk band Rose Royce.

Patti was supposed to do "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" but she passed on it during recording of the Flame album; Deborah Cox had the hit with it.

"I Want You" was supposed to be recorded by Leon Ware himself but Berry Gordy thought it would suit Marvin Gaye better.

While it was never a hit, Stevie had originally played the instrumental track to "Come Get This Stuff" for Rufus and Chaka Khan but Chaka didn't like it so he gave that song to Syreeta (and for some reason the song was never released). Chaka got "Tell Me Something Good" instead.

"Jesus Walks" was originally recorded by Rhymefest but he allowed the track to be recorded by his then-friend Kanye West.

Sharon Bryant was given the original instrumental tracks of what later became part of Janet's Control album.

Labelle was originally given the track "If You Don't Know Me By Now" but either they weren't able to record it or allow to. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes made it a hit (Patti always tries to remind folks it was HER song lol)

Rick James and Teena Marie's "Sucka For Your Love" was originally supposed to be a duet between Rick and Diana Ross but Motown didn't want Rick to produce Diana's entire album so he ended up producing everything with Teena.

R. Kelly originally recorded "More and More" but Joe opted to release his version first and R. Kelly left his version unreleased.

Patti LaBelle again flatly turned down a #1 R&B hit when she was given the song "I Feel Good All Over". Stephanie Mills had her second #1 R&B single with it.

[Edited 4/29/12 17:38pm]

HAPPYPERSON said:

Upside Down (1980)
Aretha Franklin => Diana Ross
Originally meant for Aretha, Aretha rejected it.

Nile Rodgers tells a different story. And after listening to Aretha's disco album I find it hard to believe she rejects anything offered to her.

According to Tammi Terrell's 'Unsung' episode, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was originally written for Dusty Springfield.

[Edited 4/29/12 18:38pm]

Slow And Low was written by Run & DMC and they recorded a demo for it, but did nothing with it. The Beastie Boys (I think Mike D) heard the demo and asked Run DMC if they could have the song.

Nile Rodgers tells a different story. And after listening to Aretha's disco album I find it hard to believe she rejects anything offered to her.

From what I've read, Aretha didn't get chance to turn down any song Rodgers & Edwards would have come up in the first place with since they decided not to work together after one meeting. With Diana Ross's colorful and public romances, Upside Down sounds like it was tailor made for her.

Wasn't "How Will I Know" intended for Janet Jackson, but Whtney recorded it instead? I'm so glad she did. It's one of my favorite songs from her.

Terrib3Towel said:

Wasn't "How Will I Know" intended for Janet Jackson, but Whtney recorded it instead?

You must have not read the thread. That is mentioned in the 1st line of the original post.

MickyDolenz said:

Terrib3Towel said:

Wasn't "How Will I Know" intended for Janet Jackson, but Whtney recorded it instead?

You must have not read the thread. That is mentioned in the 1st line of the original post.

Oh shit, I read right over that.

I Want Your Love was intended for Sister Sledge while He's The Greatest Dancer was intended for Chic. But Rodgers & Edwards decided switch the songs. Years ago, on a radio countdown show, I heard that Pete Townshend originally intended Let My Love Open The Door to be recorded by Debbie Harry, but wound up recording and releasing his version instead.

"Crazy In Love" meant for Amerie stolen by Beyonce....

HAPPYPERSON said:

I'm a Slave 4 U (2001)

Janet Jackson => Jennifer Lopez => Britney Spears

Yeah...I don't think that was going to go over very nicely...

Don't you forget about me was meant for Billy Idol, after he declined they asked the Fixx.

Not sure why The fixx turned it down, but Billy apperently did cause he wanted to do songs only him & Steve Stevens wrote. But he eventually covered the song on his best of

[Edited 4/29/12 20:22pm]

aardvark15 said:

Madonna's "Live To Tell" was meant for Michael Jackson

[Edited 4/29/12 17:27pm]

the music to "La Isla Bonita," yes. but I have a hard time believing "Live To Tell"

gdiminished said:

"Crazy In Love" meant for Amerie stolen by Beyonce Mathew Knowles and Jay-Z....

Gunsnhalen said:

Don't you forget about me was meant for Billy Idol, after he declined they asked the Fixx.

Not sure why The fixx turned it down, but Billy apperently did cause he wanted to do songs only him & Steve Stevens wrote. But he eventually covered the song on his best of

Is that different than the Simple Minds song of the same name?

MickyDolenz said:

Gunsnhalen said:

Don't you forget about me was meant for Billy Idol, after he declined they asked the Fixx.

Not sure why The fixx turned it down, but Billy apperently did cause he wanted to do songs only him & Steve Stevens wrote. But he eventually covered the song on his best of

Is that different than the Simple Minds song of the same name?

It's the same one, they asked Billy & after that the Fixx to record it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_You_%28Forget_About_Me%29

^ Yup that's the same one. It does sound like something either the Fixx or Billy would've done so not surprised Billy later covered it.

Timmy84 said:

R. Kelly originally recorded "More and More" but Joe opted to release his version first and R. Kelly left his version unreleased.

Jive records opted that Joe record 'More & More' and never told him that R. Kelly initially recorded that song and it was on a bootlegged album (Loveland). That was actually a part of the reason why Joe left Jive because he felt that they didn't have his interest at heart or something like that.

ETA: Where's that stalker that always loses his shit when R. Kelly is mentioned? I'm sure he will be in here shortly.

neonlights said:

Timmy84 said:

R. Kelly originally recorded "More and More" but Joe opted to release his version first and R. Kelly left his version unreleased.

Jive records opted that Joe record 'More & More' and never told him that R. Kelly initially recorded that song and it was on a bootlegged album (Loveland). That was actually a part of the reason why Joe left Jive because he felt that they didn't have his interest at heart or something like that.

ETA: Where's that stalker that always loses his shit when R. Kelly is mentioned? I'm sure he will be in here shortly.

Yeah I forgot how the story went down with that but yeah Joe did leave Jive because of that.

aardvark15 said:

Stevie's "Superstition" was meant for Jeff Beck

Timmy84 said:

neonlights said:

Jive records opted that Joe record 'More & More' and never told him that R. Kelly initially recorded that song and it was on a bootlegged album (Loveland). That was actually a part of the reason why Joe left Jive because he felt that they didn't have his interest at heart or something like that.

ETA: Where's that stalker that always loses his shit when R. Kelly is mentioned? I'm sure he will be in here shortly.

Yeah I forgot how the story went down with that but yeah Joe did leave Jive because of that.

Damn i totally forgot about Joe like... wow

I keep forgetting some of the songs R. Kelly did that others eventually did. Didn't he do a version of Fortunate before giving it to Maxwell?