Last month, Nicole Scherzinger spoke about her ties to Rihanna’s hit single “We Found Love.” Scherzinger revealed in an interview with Notion magazine that she was offered “We Found Love,” but passed on the track. She also passed on “Crazy,” which was then recorded by Gnarls Barkley, and “Just Dance,” which was a hit for Lady Gaga.
Scherzinger isn’t the only singer to pass on tracks that became major hits, however.Billboard compiled a list of singles that big singers passed on, and Scherzinger is in good company.
Michael Jackson was originally offered “Rock Your Body” by The Neptunes. The song was instead recorded by Justin Timberlake, who featured the track as a single on his debut solo album, “Justified.” The song was intended for Jackson’s 2001 album, “Invincible.”
“We Found Love” also wasn’t the only single that Rihanna got the chance to record after other artists passed. Her 2008 hit “Disturbia” was written by the singer’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Chris Brown and his team, and was originally intended for CB. Christina Milian had the chance to sing “S.O.S.” but passed on the track, leading Rihanna to release the hit single as a part of her second studio album, 2006’s “A Girl Like Me.” Even Rihanna’s major collaboration with Jay-Z, 2007’s “Umbrella,” was rejected by another artist — none other than Britney Spears. Spears’ management reportedly passed on “Umbrella” when The-Dream offered the track.
For more, head over to Billboard. [HuffingtonPost]