20 popular songs you didn't know were meant for other artists

Britney Spears sent the pop world into pandemonium when she released her debut single “...Baby One More Time.” While the song helped skyrocket the pop singer to superstardom, songwriters Max Martin and Rami Yacoub initially had R&B group TLC in mind. In an interview with MTV, TLC explained that they turned down the song because they didn’t feel like it represented their sound.

In 2010, Drake released his debut album Thank Me Later, which featured the hit song “Find Your Love.” However, the song was originally for Rihanna. In an interview with Complex, producer No I.D. explained how Rihanna cut the record, and Drake heard it and wanted it for himself. Drake ended up recording his version, and it made it to the album.

In 2004, American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson released her sophomore album Breakaway. The album’s second single “Since U Been Gone” was written and produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke, who originally had Pink in mind for the record, but she passed on it. They then offered it to Hilary Duff, but she turned it down as well. 

Ne-Yo is known as a songwriting mastermind for some huge records in R&B and pop. With a pen behind Beyoncé’s 2006 hit song “Irreplaceable,” he actually had country singers like Faith Hill and Shania Twain in mind for it. However, Beyoncé heard the record and wanted the song for herself.

On Justin Timberlake’s debut solo album Justified, he teamed up with Pharrell Williams on a number of tracks including “Rock Your Body.” In a Drink Champs interview, Williams revealed that all of the Justified songs were originally for Michael Jackson. He sent over the tracks to Jackson and his team, but the King of Pop wasn’t pleased. Jackson thought the production was too similar to some of his past records and wanted something different.  

There’s no doubt about it that “Umbrella” is one of Rihanna’s most commercially successful songs, and the music video also helped push her image to an edgier style. However, songwriter and producer Tricky Stewart originally had Britney Spears in mind for the song. Stewart spoke with MTV News and said Spears' camp turned the song down. So Stewart then had Mary J. Blige in mind, and the record then became a bidding war between Blige’s camp and Rihanna’s team.

Songwriter Diane Warren is known for penning some of music’s biggest ballads, and that includes Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing.” Although Steven Tyler’s vocals are perfect on the track, Warren initially wrote the song with Celine Dion in mind.

One of 702’s biggest records “Where My Girls At” almost went to another girl group. Songwriter and producer Missy Elliott took to Twitter to detail how she originally wrote the song for TLC. Missy explained that Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes wanted TLC to get the record, but the group didn’t agree. Left Eye then asked Missy if group Blaque, signed to Left Eye's label, could get the track, but 702 had already cut the record by that time. 

Pop singer Pink was going for more a pop-rock sound on her sophomore album Missundaztood, which was evident on lead single “Get the Party Started.” However, songwriter Linda Perry revealed in a Rolling Stone interview that the song was originally intended for Madonna.

In 2002, R&B singer Mario won the hearts of many fans with his debut single “Just a Friend 2002.” However, the song was originally meant for another R&B heartthrob Usher, but he eventually passed on record. Although the song ultimately went to Mario, Usher’s cut of the record can also be found on YouTube. 

For people who’ve heard Selena Gomez’ hit song “Come and Get It,” some listeners believed that it could’ve been a song for Rihanna. Well, they’re right. Songwriters Ester Dean, Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Erik Hermansen had Rihanna in mind, hoping that would be on her Talk That Talk album. However, RiRi declined and Gomez ran with it.

In 2014, Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” became one of the biggest songs of the year. However, in radio interview with Howard Stern, Williams explained that he actually wanted CeeLo Green to sing the song. Cee-Lo recorded a version of the song, but his camp didn’t think it was the right fit for him. So Williams recorded the song and it became the theme song to the soundtrack for Despicable Me 2.

Jennifer Lopez's 2005 single "Get Right," was actually a different song titled "Ride," when it was first in Usher's hands. Usher recorded "Ride" with the intent of adding to an album, but then his camp scratched it and Lopez was offered the track. Both songs had the same production provided by Rich Harrison, but the lyrics were different (except parts of the bridge) once it was changed to "Get Right." Fans can still hear Usher's version if they search for it on YouTube. 

It may be hard to picture any other group besides the Black Eyed Peas performing “My Humps,” but will.i.am had another group in mind. Initially, he wanted to give the record to The Pūssycat Dolls, but ultimately decided to give the girl group another song, “Beep.” 

In 2016, Ariana Grande released her third studio album Dangerous Woman, which was led by eponymous single. While the song became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for Grande, songwriter Ross Golan revealed in a CBS This Morning interview that the song was originally for country star Carrie Underwood. 

On Usher’s 2004 album Confessions, he had a few sensual tracks, including “That’s What It’s Made For.” Songwriting duo The Avila Brothers worked on that song as well as a few others for Usher. In an interview on the R&B Money Podcast, The Avila Brothers revealed how “That’s What It’s Made For” was almost a song for Janet Jackson.

Britney Spears’ “Toxic” is the type of record that easily entices a listener from the production alone, but the singer’s vocals fit the production perfectly. However, songwriter Cathy Dennis had Janet Jackson in mind, but initially offered it to Kylie Minogue, who turned it down. 

“All About That Bass” helped put pop singer Meghan Trainor on the map. However, in an interview with The Guardian, Trainor explained how the track was originally created with artists like Adele and Beyoncé in mind.

In 2002, the Barbershop movie soundtrack featured the hit Ginuwine song "Stingy." In an interview with the the R&B Money Podcast, songwriter Johnta Austin revealed that the song was originally for fellow R&B singer Blu Cantrell. 

In 2013, Miley Cyrus wanted to experiment with her sound on her album Bangerz. She teamed up with songwriter and producer Mike Will Made It on the lead single “We Can’t Stop.” However, in an MTV News interview, Mike Will revealed that “We Can’t Stop” was originally intended for Rihanna, but she ended up recording another song instead.