Rejected Songs that Became Smash Hits

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Lean On - Major Lazer and DJ snake feat. MØ
3. Whataya Want From Me - Adam Lambert
4. How Will I Know - Whitney Houston
5. Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake
6. Gold Digger - Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx
7. Umbrella - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
8. Happy - Pharrell
9. Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
10. ...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears
11. Honorable Mentions
12. Conclusion

Introduction

In the music industry, there are often instances where popular songs were initially rejected by other artists. These songs, however, went on to become major hits when given to different artists or when released independently. In this article, we will explore ten such hit songs that were rejected by other artists and analyze how they became successful in the hands of their eventual performers.

Lean On - Major Lazer and DJ snake feat. MØ

One of the first songs on our list is "Lean On" by Major Lazer and DJ Snake featuring MØ. Surprisingly, both Rihanna and Nicki Minaj rejected this electronic collaboration before MØ put her creative stamp on it. The song became a massive hit, peaking at #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and ranking as the 5th best-selling song worldwide in 2015.

Whataya Want From Me - Adam Lambert

Next up is "Whataya Want From Me" by Adam Lambert. Originally intended for Pink, it eventually became Lambert's breakthrough hit. The song reached #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and played a significant role in launching Lambert's successful career.

How Will I Know - Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's iconic hit "How Will I Know" was actually offered to Janet Jackson first. However, Jackson passed on the song, considering it weaker than her other material. Houston then took the opportunity and turned it into a pop crossover smash hit, earning herself another #1 hit.

Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake

"Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake is another song that was initially intended for a different artist, Michael Jackson in this case. Timberlake's duo Chad Hugo and Pharrell wrote the song for Jackson's final Studio album, but he ended up passing on it. Timberlake then released the song as the third single off his debut album, and it peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Gold Digger - Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx

Kanye West's hit song "Gold Digger" was originally intended for Shawnna, an Atlanta rapper. However, she rejected the song, leading Kanye to save it for himself. With its catchy melody and clever lyrics, "Gold Digger" went on to break records and become one of Kanye's most successful songs.

Umbrella - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z

"Umbrella" by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z is a song that almost didn't reach Rihanna's ears. Originally intended for Britney Spears, the song was believed to be unnecessary for her, and label executives decided against giving it to her. Eventually, Rihanna got hold of the song and turned it into a Chart-topping international sensation.

Happy - Pharrell

Pharrell's infectious hit "Happy" could have been even bigger if it had been recorded by Cee-Lo Green, the original intended artist. Pharrell wrote the song with Green in mind but ended up keeping it for himself. "Happy" became Billboard's Year-end #1 single and hit the top spot on charts worldwide.

Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson's powerful anthem "Since U Been Gone" almost Never made it to her. The song was initially written for Pink but was later passed on to Hilary Duff, who also couldn't hit the necessary high notes. Finally, Clarkson took the song and transformed it into one of the most important hits of her career.

...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

One of Britney Spears' most iconic hits, "...Baby One More Time," was originally offered to TLC. The hip-hop trio rejected the song due to its lyrics, which T-Boz objected to. Britney then recorded the song, and it went on to become a global sensation, propelling her into superstardom.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few honorable mentions of hit songs that were rejected by other artists:

• "Thinkin Bout You" - Frank Ocean offered to Bridget Kelly
• "Let's Get Loud" - Jennifer Lopez offered to Gloria Estefan
• "Alive" - Sia offered to Adele
• "Telephone" - Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé offered to Britney Spears

Conclusion

The music industry is full of stories where some of the biggest hits were initially rejected by other artists. Through this article, we have explored ten such songs that went on to become incredible successes in the hands of their eventual performers. These instances serve as a reminder that sometimes the right song can make all the difference, even if it was turned down by someone else before.