In the wonderfully weird world of pop music, timing is everything. A smash hit for one artist could’ve been a dusty demo in someone else’s inbox. But let’s not feel too bad for the ones who passed—because sometimes, it just wasn’t their song to sing. Here are 15 songs that ended up in the right hands… eventually.
“Umbrella” – Rihanna
Originally pitched to Britney Spears, the stormy smash didn’t fit into her Blackout forecast. Rihanna caught it like lightning in a bottle—and the rest is reign.
“Rock Your Body” – Justin Timberlake
Michael Jackson passed on this Neptunes bop, leaving JT to claim it for his solo debut. Good thing, too—it became one of his signature body movers.
“Happy” – Pharrell Williams
CeeLo Green had it, loved it, recorded it… but the label shelved it in favor of a Christmas album. Pharrell gave it a second chance—and suddenly, everyone was clapping along if they felt like a room without a roof.
“I’m a Slave 4 U” – Britney Spears
Written for Janet Jackson, this track had sultry, slinky vibes to spare. When Janet passed, Britney slithered in and delivered one of her most iconic reinventions.
“Don’t Cha” – The Pussycat Dolls
Before it became the ultimate “shoulda woulda coulda” anthem, this track went through Tori Alamaze and even Paris Hilton. But it took the Dolls to make it purr.
“Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
P!nk said no. Hilary Duff couldn’t hit the notes. But Kelly Clarkson? She turned it into the scream-along anthem of the decade.
“Whataya Want from Me” – Adam Lambert
P!nk helped write it, recorded a demo, and passed. Adam Lambert took that heartbreak and ran with it—eyeliner, octave leaps, and all.
“Call Me” – Blondie
Pitched to everyone from the Rolling Stones to… just about anyone with a mic. Blondie made it their own—and turned a call-in jingle into a rock ‘n’ roll roar.
“…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears
TLC thought the lyrics were a little too… punchy. Robyn declined too. Britney took it, flipped it, and danced her way into pop immortality.
“Irreplaceable” – Beyoncé
Ne-Yo originally imagined a country tune, possibly for Shania Twain. Instead, Beyoncé took it—and showed us all how to pack up our boxes to the left.
“Telephone” – Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé
Written by Gaga for Britney Spears, who actually recorded a version (!) but never released it. Gaga rang up Queen Bey instead—and the result was pure pop power.
“Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding
Swedish songwriters pitched it to Tove Lo first. But it landed in Ellie’s lap—and just in time for Fifty Shades of Grey to sound way more emotionally epic.
“Let’s Get Loud” – Jennifer Lopez
Gloria Estefan co-wrote it but thought it echoed too much of her past work. J.Lo turned up the volume and the salsa—and boom, dancefloor dynamite.
“All About That Bass” – Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor wrote it and offered it to Beyoncé and Adele, who both passed. So she sang it herself—and the world finally got a pop hit with a retro bounce and body-positive punch.
“Boom Clap” – Charli XCX
Meant for Hilary Duff’s comeback album, but her team declined. Charli XCX took it to the silver screen, and it exploded louder than a YA love story in a summer blockbuster.
To the artists who turned these songs down: your instincts weren’t wrong—just early. And to the artists who said yes: you turned a maybe into magic. That’s the fun of music. You never know where a song will land.