What are some of the signature songs of an artist or band that were written for someone else, and it was turned down, and it became a hit with another artist or band? How would this songs have sounded if recorded by the artists or bands that were originally offered to, and how would it had changed the course of everyone's carrer?

For example, two early Prince songs "I Wanna be your Lover" and "I Fell for you" (latter became a big hit when Chaka Khan covered it) were originally written for Patrice Rushen, she turned them down and Prince recorded them himself.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis offered several songs that would turn up on Janet Jackson's "Control" album to former Atlantic Starr lead singer Sharon Bryant when she attempted a solo carrer.

Finally, Madonna's "Holiday" were offered to several R&B female singers some of which were Stephanie Mills, Donna Summer, and Phyllis Hyman, turned down before being offered to Madonna. I would be curious to hear how it would have sounded if Hyman have recorded "Holiday", because that song is the exact opposite of a normal Phyllis Hyman song.

I think "Baby One More Time" was written for TLC, but obviously, Britney Spears got it.

However, im not sure if TLC turned it down themselves, or not. It might've just been given to Spears rather than TLC.. :confused:

I know "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" was offered to Cher and some others, but they turned it down and Vicki Lawrence got it.

George Harrison wrote "Something" for Ray Charles, but Ray never got around to doing the song.

Prince wrote "The Glamorous Life" and "Manic Monday" for Apollonia 6. Apollonia 6 even recored these two songs but they were never released them. "The Glamorous Life" became a hit for Sheila E. and "Manic Monday" was a hit for the Bangles. In this case, Apollonia 6 did not turn these songs down, Prince just decided to take the songs back and give them to other artists, Apollonia 6 (like other Prince side projects, the main reason The Time broke up) did not have a say in the matter.

Also Prince wrote "International Lover" for the Time but decided to record it himself.

Christina Aguilera had co-written Miss Independent, but chose not to use it in the end, and Kelly Clarkson got it.

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
I think "Baby One More Time" was written for TLC, but obviously, Britney Spears got it.


TLC personally turned it down because they thought it was degrading to women.

"Save The Best For Last" was offered to Barbara Streisand, and Bette Midler, but it eventually went to Vanessa Williams. I also read somewhere that Mariah Carey wrote "Don't Go Looking For Love" for herself, but ended up giving it to Blaque.

Most of Justin Timberlake's Justified was for Michael Jackson's Invincible... but he turned them down.

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
Christina Aguilera had co-written Miss Independent, but chose not to use it in the end, and Kelly Clarkson got it.

I didn't know that :lol:

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
TLC personally turned it down because they thought it was degrading to women.

"Save The Best For Last" was offered to Barbara Streisand, and Bette Midler, but it eventually went to Vanessa Williams. I also read somewhere that Mariah Carey wrote "Don't Go Looking For Love" for herself, but ended up giving it to Blaque.

Most of Justin Timberlake's Justified was for Michael Jackson's Invincible... but he turned them down. Hmm thats interesting [about TLC]

And hmm.. im glad Justin got it, rather than MJ.

Hot Stuff by Donna Summer was actually written (co-written by Donna) for Cher during her disco period, but Cher turned it down.

David Bowie originally wrote Golden Years to give to Elvis, but Bowie demoed the song and realized it was too good to give up.

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
I think "Baby One More Time" was written for TLC, but obviously, Britney Spears got it.

However, im not sure if TLC turned it down themselves, or not. It might've just been given to Spears rather than TLC.. :confused:


thats odd since Baby One More Time is NOTHING like a TLC song, not to mention the fact that BOMT was written some ELEVEN years AFTER TLC came out.... I think this rumor is FALSE.

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
I know "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" was offered to Cher and some others, but they turned it down and Vicki Lawrence got it.


Not TRUE at all, Viki Lawrences then husband (or boyfriend) wrote the song FOR HER.

Originally posted by factsoflife
thats odd since Baby One More Time is NOTHING like a TLC song, not to mention the fact that BOMT was written some ELEVEN years AFTER TLC came out.... I think this rumor is FALSE.

Um, i think it was mentioned on some TV shows. Even one of those Britney Spears shows on Vh1 [either Behind the Music or Driven].

I also find it weird that Baby One More Time is nothing like a TLC song. But about the "11 years after" thing... TLC was bankrupt from like 1995-1998. So, when they came back in 1999, they needed some songs. It is logical that they got offered "Baby One More Time"

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
Um, i think it was mentioned on some TV shows. Even one of those Britney Spears shows on Vh1 [either Behind the Music or Driven].

I also find it weird that Baby One More Time is nothing like a TLC song. But about the "11 years after" thing... TLC was bankrupt from like 1995-1998. So, when they came back in 1999, they needed some songs. It is logical that they got offered "Baby One More Time"

Actually before you speak you need to learn your TLC facts. TLC went bankrupt in 1996 (after the success of CrazySexyCool) and by 1997 they were well on their way to finiacal recovery. They started WRITING and RECORDING "Fanmail" in 1998, They worked with Antonio "La" Reid and Dallas Austin, and Babyface and writers like Diane Warren, and "Fanmail" was released in 1999. Also Honey, Britney Spears made her deubt later that year. Two things don't ring true about this, one TLC has NEVER done a song as poppy and light as "BOMT" and second TLC never accepted songs from anyone other than Babyface, La Reid, Dallas Austion, Diane Warren, Prince or in the early days Pebbels.

I mean it could be true but its HIGHLY unlikely.

I think Britney Spears tries to sing like T-Boz, so it wouldn't surprise me. But when it comes to talent and greatness, Britney Spears is not in the same league at TLC, in my opinion the greatest girl group of the MTV era.

I could be wrong but I thought I heard that Roy Orbinson try to give Only The Lonely to Elvis and others. No one took the song so he decided to sing it himself. Thus starting his singing career.

Originally posted by tvje
I think Britney Spears tries to sing like T-Boz, so it wouldn't surprise me. But when it comes to talent and greatness, Britney Spears is not in the same league at TLC, in my opinion the greatest girl group of the MTV era.

I totally agree.

Ive heard the TLC/Britney thing forever- on TV, in magazines, books, etc. I think its true. Just because its offered to someone, doesnt necessarily mean its right for them. Obviously it wasnt, because they turned it down. It couldve been offered to them first, because maybe the company or whatever felt it would be an instant hit and help boost their career and what not.

And what about Michael and Justin? I thought Justin co-wrote/wrote most of the songs on his CD............

Originally posted by ¤MsConanOBrien¤
And what about Michael and Justin? I thought Justin co-wrote/wrote most of the songs on his CD............

I'm sure he did some minor changes, which gave him writing credits. Chad Hugo and Pharrell (sp?) Williams have made lots of comments about most of Justified being offered to JT.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
I'm sure he did some minor changes, which gave him writing credits. Chad Hugo and Pharrell (sp?) Williams have made lots of comments about most of Justified being offered to JT. o0o0o ok, thanks.

Originally posted by factsoflife
Not TRUE at all, Viki Lawrences then husband (or boyfriend) wrote the song FOR HER.

Well, it certainly sounded to me like she said that at both of her live shows I've been to. She did get it after a few others rejected it.

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
Well, it certainly sounded to me like she said that at both of her live shows I've been to. She did get it after a few others rejected it.

"The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" was composed by Bobby Russell, who had previously found success as a singer/songwriter. You may recall his 1971 novelty hit "Saturday Morning Confusion," in which he makes light of being too hung over to spend time with his family after a long night of carousing with his drinking buddies.

Before their highly publicized divorce, Russell was married to prominent television figure Vicki Lawrence, (The Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family) who recorded "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" when nobody else would.

This surefire hit was first offered to popular singer/actress Cher, who refused it, fearing a loss of popularity with the southern cross section of her audience. Vicki's rendition was a runaway chart-topper, becoming one of the most popular singles of 1973. Later that same year, Cher recorded her #1 hit "Dark Lady," in which she describes how she brutally murdered her cheating lover and phony spiritual adviser.

thanks for clearing that up Hunington.

Originally posted by factsoflife
thanks for clearing that up Hunington.

No problem

Originally posted by sara
I could be wrong but I thought I heard that Roy Orbinson try to give Only The Lonely to Elvis and others. No one took the song so he decided to sing it himself. Thus starting his singing career.

I wonder how Elvis would have sang it.

If you mean Roy's singing career started with that song, then you're wrong, unless before he didn't make it a full time thing in singing.He had a hit (53 on the charts or somewhere around there) with "Ooby Dooby" before Only The Lonely.

"These Days" by Rascal Flatts was offered to Keith Urban but he turned it down because he didn't think he could do (as he says) "the melodic thing".

Josh Turner's new hit: "Long Black Train" was offered to the late Johnny Cash, but he turned this song down.