12 Singers Who Passed on a Song That Became a Major Hit for Someone Else

Once a hit is on the radio, it feels like it could only have belonged to one voice. Try picturing “Umbrella” without Rihanna or “Toxic” without Britney Spears. Yet every song on this list was first offered to someone else, and that singer or their team said no.

The reasons range from a crowded schedule to a plain gut feeling that the song wasn’t a fit. One pop star shows up on both sides of this story, landing one of the biggest debuts in pop thanks to someone else’s pass, then walking away from two huge songs herself. We’ll get to her.

#12 – Avril Lavigne Passed on “Breakaway”

Avril Lavigne is a credited co-writer on “Breakaway,” which makes this pass unusual. She helped write a song and then let it go.

Kelly Clarkson recorded it, and it became the title track of her 2004 album and a top 10 hit. It also gave her a signature song that fans still sing back to her. Lavigne’s own version never became the one the world knew.

#11 – Rod Stewart Passed on “Physical”

The songwriters behind “Physical” reportedly had Rod Stewart in mind. He passed.

Olivia Newton-John took it instead and turned it into the defining song of her 1981 comeback. It spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Few songs have ever been that dominant that quickly.

Fast Facts

• Year: 1981
• Run at the top: 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Year-end result: Billboard’s top song of 1981
• First choice: Rod Stewart, reportedly

#10 – The Pussycat Dolls Passed on “Just Dance”

Before Lady Gaga was a household name, she was a songwriter signed to write for the Pussycat Dolls. Member Kimberly Wyatt has said the group turned down “Just Dance.”

Gaga kept it, and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wyatt has talked about the decision on a British talk show, and she was gracious about how well Gaga’s version turned out.

#9 – Sara Evans Passed on “Jesus, Take the Wheel”

Sara Evans was one of the first singers pitched “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and she turned it down. That left it open for a newcomer.

Carrie Underwood recorded it as her debut single. It topped the country chart and won her a Grammy, and it set the tone for her entire career.

#8 – Rihanna Passed on “Cheap Thrills”

Sia has said she wrote “Cheap Thrills” with Rihanna in mind. Rihanna passed.

Sia released it herself, and the version featuring Sean Paul reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became one of the biggest songs of Sia’s career, and it began as a song meant for someone else.

#7 – Michael Jackson Passed on “Rock Your Body”

The Neptunes wrote “Rock Your Body” with Michael Jackson’s Invincible in mind. It never made the album.

Justin Timberlake recorded it for his solo debut, Justified, and it peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became one of the songs that defined his post-*NSYNC sound.

#6 – Kylie Minogue Passed on “Toxic”

“Toxic” was offered to Kylie Minogue first, and she passed. The song’s co-writer, Cathy Dennis, has discussed how it moved on to someone else.

Britney Spears recorded it in 2004, and it went to No. 1 in the UK and won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. It is now one of the most beloved pop songs of its era.

#5 – CeeLo Green Passed on “Happy”

Pharrell Williams has said “Happy” started out as a song for CeeLo Green. CeeLo recorded a version, but it was never released.

Pharrell kept the song and used it for Despicable Me 2. It earned an Oscar nomination and went to No. 1 in the U.S.

Worth Knowing

• Film: Despicable Me 2 (2013)
• Awards moment: nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars
• Chart run: 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Album home: Pharrell’s 2014 album G I R L

#4 – Janet Jackson Passed on “How Will I Know”

George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam wrote “How Will I Know” with Janet Jackson in mind. Her camp passed.

Whitney Houston recorded it for her debut album, and it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It showed a lighter, danceable side of her that ballads alone hadn’t.

#3 – TLC Passed on “…Baby One More Time”

TLC were offered “…Baby One More Time” and turned it down. T-Boz has said the group didn’t feel it was right for them, and the “hit me baby” line has long been cited as part of that reaction.

Britney Spears recorded it and launched her career with a worldwide No. 1. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time, and it began with a group saying no.

#2 – Britney Spears Passed on “Umbrella”

Now the twist. The songwriters The-Dream and Tricky Stewart wrote “Umbrella” with Britney Spears in mind, but her camp passed.

Rihanna recorded it, and it went to No. 1 in both the U.S. and the UK. For Rihanna, it became a career-defining hit.

#1 – Britney Spears Passed on “Telephone”

Britney’s second pass came from Lady Gaga, who wrote “Telephone” with Spears’ Circus album in mind. Spears didn’t take it.

Gaga kept it and released it as a duet with Beyoncé. It became a major hit and one of the most memorable pop videos of its era. A demo with Spears’ vocals has reportedly leaked, so fans can still hear the version that never was.

Quick Compare: Britney’s Yes and No

• Said yes: “…Baby One More Time,” a worldwide No. 1 that TLC turned down
• Said yes: “Toxic,” a Grammy winner for Best Dance Recording that Kylie Minogue turned down
• Passed: “Umbrella,” which became a No. 1 in both the U.S. and the UK for Rihanna
• Passed: “Telephone,” which became a Gaga and Beyoncé duet

Put these stories together and one thing stands out. Every song here needed two things: the right singer, and a first singer who said no. Britney said yes to two hits that other artists passed on, and no to two that became someone else’s legacy.