Signature songs turned down by other artists - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tvje · 01-19-2004, 12:14 AM

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.

David · 01-19-2004, 12:16 AM

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..

HuntingtonM15 · 01-19-2004, 12:18 AM

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.

AKA · 01-19-2004, 12:19 AM

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

tvje · 01-19-2004, 12:59 AM

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.

¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ · 01-19-2004, 01:36 AM

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

SBTB Geek · 01-19-2004, 02:30 AM

Quote:

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.

Ravey · 01-19-2004, 04:44 AM

Quote:

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

David · 01-19-2004, 09:19 AM

Quote:

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.

Dean Winchester · 01-19-2004, 05:19 PM

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.

factsoflife · 01-19-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

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..

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.

factsoflife · 01-19-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

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.

David · 01-19-2004, 08:14 PM

Quote:

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"

factsoflife · 01-20-2004, 12:32 AM

Quote:

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.

tvje · 01-20-2004, 12:49 AM

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.

01-19-2004, 12:14 AM	#1
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	Signature songs turned down by other artists 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.
	__________________ tvje

01-19-2004, 12:16 AM	#2
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	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..
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

01-19-2004, 01:36 AM	#6
¤I Love Clay Aiken¤ MISS APRIL Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 19, 2001 Location: Parsonsfield ME Shaws - Screwing my way up the employment ladder! Posts: 68,780	Christina Aguilera had co-written Miss Independent, but chose not to use it in the end, and Kelly Clarkson got it.
	__________________ DAVID COOK FOR AMERICAN IDOL

01-19-2004, 12:18 AM	#3
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	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.

01-19-2004, 12:19 AM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	George Harrison wrote "Something" for Ray Charles, but Ray never got around to doing the song.

01-19-2004, 12:59 AM	#5
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	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.

01-19-2004, 05:19 PM	#10
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	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.

01-20-2004, 12:49 AM	#15
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	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.