These Songs were originally intended for….

The Song-writing branch of the music business is the nucleus upon which the music formation begins. Without the song, there can be no music. Song-writing is like a business pitch presented before artists and within the music culture, song-writers often write a song with a particular artist in mind. But sometimes, certain songs get overlooked and are handed over to other artists. Eventually, the overlooked song becomes a hit and oftentimes, the original recipient of the song lives in regret of their action. This post takes into account hit songs which were rejected by the first recipient.

1. Anita Ward’s “Ring My Bell” was originally written for Stacy Lattisaw. Ward disliked it due to its juvenile components which had to be reworked to her taste. The song became a dance hit and topped the charts in the US, UK and Canada in 1979. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvKUjl8qGKw

2. Babyface wrote the song “Everytime I Close My Eyes” for Luther Vandross who declined and regretted later. The song would become the former’s signature. The masterpiece has Mariah Carey at the background vocal while Kenny G infuses his saxophonic spice to the mix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUG9FeffzIM

3. Beyonce’s “Halo” was rejected by Leona Lewis. The single featured on the former’s I Am……Sasha Fierce (2008) album and peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It was certified double platinum by the RIAA on January 5, 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqQeT7wKqvs

4. Color Me Badd’s “I Wanna Sex You Up” was rejected by BBD, Keith Sweat and Christopher Williams. It became one of the most significant songs of the early 1990s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3gEZyr7KLU

5. Dru Hill’s “We Are Not Making Love No More”, a soundtrack to the movie Soul Food was written by Babyface for the group Boyz II Men. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb-Z3GL7FS8

6. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “After the Love is Gone” was originally offered by Bill Chaplin, David Foster and Jay Graydon to Hall & Oates who declined as they preferred to record their own songs. The song won 2 Grammys the following year namely, Best R&B duo or group and Best song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUCLNPOjPZw

7. Edwin Starr’s “War” was originally meant for The Temptations. Released in 1970, this would become his most notable song in the wake of the Vietnam War. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZJRJpbGkG4

8. Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” was written for Michael Jackson by Pharrel Williams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJUUPyb34qU

9. Mary J. Blige’s “All That I Can Say” was originally written for Whitney Houston by her fellow New-Jersian, Lauryn Hill. Unfortunately, time constraints rendered the recording of the song impossible and it would be handed to MJB. Houston and Hill would later work on another song for her My Love Is Your Love album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egUc7asg-TA

10. Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was intended for Mary J Blige who didnt like it. So it was handed to Rihanna. This would be the lead single on her third album Good Girl Gone Bad. It spent ten and seven consecutive weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Hot 100, respectively https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXD5tltX9Pg

11. Rihanna’s “Diamond” was declined by Leona Lewis. The song debuted at number 16 and finally reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart to give Rihanna her twelfth number one in the US. It also topped the charts in Austria, Canada, France, Germany and the UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOGBIbqXwYE

12. SWV’s “Rain” was written for Brandy, who declined it. This became one of their notable hits and can be found on their third album Release Some Tension (1997). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH74g3l7eH4

13. Toni Braxton’s “Love Shoulda Brought You Home Last Night” was written for Anita Baker by Babyface as a soundtrack to the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang (1992) which starred Halle Berry, Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, Robin Givens, Lela Rochon. However, Anita who was on bedrest at the time declined and stated that it suited the younger woman who had sung the demo. Yes, Toni Braxton ended up performing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQYyrzcr5Sg

14. Toni Braxton’s “Un-break My Heart was written for Celine Dion who declined and Diane Warren passed it on to Toni Braxton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP6Cx9gFzVM

15. Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” was declined by Janet Jackson’s team. It would become her first single on American Top 40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9sf4SE4wJE