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Nicole Scherzinger revealed in an interview that she had the opportunity to record "We Found Love," the Calvin Harris-produced dance smash that became the biggest hit of Rihanna's thriving career, but let the chance slip through her fingers. "I passed on 'We Found Love,'" Scherzinger admitted to Notion Magazine. "I've got the demo of that song and I was busy at the time."

Surprisingly, this occurrence is not at all uncommon in the music world: the past half-century is littered with examples of iconic pop songs that were originally intended for someone else to perform. Imagine a world in which Britney Spears is singing "Umbrella," Hillary Duff scored a monster hit with "Since U Been Gone" and Paris Hilton asked "Don't Cha" instead of Scherzinger's old group, the Pussycat Dolls. Strange to consider, isn't it? But some of these missed opportunities were pretty close to becoming reality.

Check out these 20 instances of smash songs originally intended for other artists.

Dr. Luke and Max Martin originally teamed up to give P!nk another hit, and when she reportedly turned it down, they reached out to Hillary Duff. But the story goes that Clive Davis convinced the producers to give the song to Clarkson, who fashioned it into the centerpiece of her "Breakaway" and helped it sell 2.6 million downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Hit-Boy's bonkers beat on the "Watch The Throne" hit could have been the property of the former Clipse member, but even he doesn't know if it would have turned out as irresistible as Jay and Ye made it. "I tell people all the time that I don't know if I would've attacked it that way," he said in a 2011 interview, "which means the record might not have been as special once I got on it."

"Gold Digger" became one of Yeezy's biggest hits to date, but would the Jamie Foxx-assisted "Late Registration" jam topped the Hot 100 if it had been recorded by Chicago rapstress Shawnna? After she passed on the beat, West rewrote the hook to accommodate a male perspective, and struck, er, gold.

Donna Summer has said that "What's Love Got To Do With It" was offered to her first,a few years before Tina Turner got her hands on it and turned it into a smash hit.

You Rock My World > Rock Your Body

"Let It Be" was written for Aretha Franklin by Lennon - McCartney and she turned it down initially. The Beatles recorded it, and later Aretha covered it.

Same was the case with several Natalie Cole songs, in particular "Inseperable" and "You". Aretha would later cover "You" on the album of the same name. Dusty Springfield got a hit out of "Son Of A Preacher Man" when Aretha turned it down. She would later cover it.

"Umbrella" was also offered to Mary J. Blige and she turned it down.

Michael Jackson was notorious for turning down lots songs that would go on to become hits for many acts.

Anita Baker turned down several tunes that were specifically written for her by Babyface and his team, but they ended up going on Toni Braxton's debut album.

The Whispers turned down both "Roses Are Red" and "Midas Touch", and the tunes became hits for The MAC Band and Midnight Star respectively.

I heard that "Holiday" was also offered to Patti LaBelle,who rejected it.

"Rock Your Body"
Turned Down By: Michael Jackson	Recorded By: Justin Timberlake

What are they talking about? This WAS a Michael Jackson song, period. Few of the songs on that whole album are "Justin" songs; most are tributes to other artists anyway. I like the album and especially this song, but still.

[Edited 3/31/13 9:39am]

Vanessa Williams was offered the song "Girlfriend" and she was excited about it,but LA and Babyface gave it to Pebbles instead.Vanessa has said that they didn't even call her to tell her that it wasn't hers anymore....she found out when she heard Pebbles' version on the radio.

Prince was offered a spot on "Knew You Were Waiting for Me" that George Michael probably literally jumped at when Prince passed, understandably so.

Stevie Wonder wrote Superstition for Jeff Beck, but Motown convinced Stevie to release it himself. Jeff did record a version on the 1973 collabo album with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice.

Stevie also wrote Buttercup for the Jackson 5ive. They recorded the song, but their version went unreleased until 2009. The song was later given to Carl Anderson, who released it in 1985.

namepeace said:

Prince was offered a spot on "Knew You Were Waiting for Me" that George Michael probably literally jumped at when Prince passed, understandably so.

seriously?? Wow,I never knew that.Shame on Prince for turning down the Queen of Soul.That would have been an incredible duet.

Run DMC recorded a demo for Slow And Low for the Raising Hell album, but they didn't do anything with it. MCA from the Beastie Boys heard the demo and asked could they record it.

MattyJam said:

You Rock My World > Rock Your Body

Both are average songs - under, even.

Huge mistake on Kylie's part."Toxic" is a very good,infectious tune.

MickyDolenz said:

Run DMC recorded a demo for Slow And Low for the Raising Hell album, but they didn't do anything with it. MCA from the Beastie Boys heard the demo and asked could they record it.

Run DMC's vocals, along with the Beastie's themselves, are used on the hook of the Beastie's version.

I am not sure if this is a real fact or not. But i heard that Elvis Presley turned down a Bowie song entitled Golden Years. I wonder if this is true.

Rococo said:

I am not sure if this is a real fact or not. But i heard that Elvis Presley turned down a Bowie song entitled Golden Years. I wonder if this is true.

Never heard this before, but if true, it's more likely that Colonel Parker turned it down, not Elvis. Parker generally wouldn't allow Elvis to record songs unless the songwriter turned over some of the publishing. There were songs that Elvis wanted to do, but Parker nixed them because some, like Dolly Parton, refused.

Madonna's True Blue album contains two songs that were intended for other artists.

The Temptations was offered "Open Your Heart" but they rejected it.

Michael Jackson was offered "La Isla Bonita" but he rejected it.

Azz said:

MattyJam said:

You Rock My World > Rock Your Body

Both are average songs - under, even.

Disagree. YRMW was a great single.

[Edited 3/31/13 16:21pm]

I remember reading 'If You Had My Love' first #1 single by Jennifer Lopez was meant for Chante Moore to record also Jennifer was suppose to sing the hook from 'What's Luv' by Fat Joe but she wasnt available hence Ashanti.

Rococo said:

I am not sure if this is a real fact or not. But i heard that Elvis Presley turned down a Bowie song entitled Golden Years. I wonder if this is true.

According to Bowie via Blender magazine:

Q. Is it true that you originally wrote “Golden Years” for Elvis Presley?

A. No. Apparently Elvis heard the demos, because we were both on RCA, and Colonel Tom thought I should write Elvis some songs. There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass. I would have loved to have worked with him. God, I would have adored it. He did send me a note once. [Perfectly imitates Presley’s drawl] “All the best, and have a great tour.” I still have that note.

Eileen said:

Rococo said:

I am not sure if this is a real fact or not. But i heard that Elvis Presley turned down a Bowie song entitled Golden Years. I wonder if this is true.

According to Bowie via Blender magazine:

Q. Is it true that you originally wrote “Golden Years” for Elvis Presley?

A. No. Apparently Elvis heard the demos, because we were both on RCA, and Colonel Tom thought I should write Elvis some songs. There was talk between our offices that I should be introduced to Elvis and maybe start working with him in a production-writer capacity. But it never came to pass. I would have loved to have worked with him. God, I would have adored it. He did send me a note once. [Perfectly imitates Presley’s drawl] “All the best, and have a great tour.” I still have that note.

Kool! thanks!