Here are instances where one artist’s pass became another’s global smash;
Rihanna’s “Umbrella”
Producer Tricky Stewart confirmed that the track was shopped around before Rihanna recorded it. Among the artists it was first pitched to included Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige who both turned it down before Rihanna grabbed it and made a breakout smash out of it.
“Shape of You” originally for Rihanna
Ed Sheeran confirmed that the song was originally written with Rihanna in mind during the writing sessions for ÷ (Divide), but he ended up keeping it and releasing it himself. Truthfully, the song’s vibe and lyrical idea fit what he imagined for her.Britney Spears’ anthem
“…Baby One More Time” offered to TLC and others first
Max Martin and his team initially pitched the demo to groups like TLC and the Backstreet Boys, and even the UK boyband Five passed on it but they all rejected it before it landed with Britney Spears, who made it a global phenomenon.
This is a testament to the fact that hits often have a wild history as many songs written for one artist but rejected eventually turned into career-defining hits for another artist.