Popular Songs That Were Originally Offered to Someone Else

Rihanna attends the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City, U.S., November 3, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

It’s hard to imagine some of music’s biggest hits sung by anyone else.

But here’s a list of popular songs that were originally intended for someone else:

1.  “Umbrella”, Rihanna:  It was offered to Britney Spears, then to Mary J. Blige.

2.  “…Baby One More Time”, Britney Spears:  It was meant for TLC.

3.  “Since U Been Gone”, Kelly Clarkson:  It was first offered to Pink, then to Hilary Duff.

4.  “All About That Bass”, Meghan Trainor:  Meghan co-wrote it, and offered it to other artists including Beyoncé.

5.  “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, Bonnie Tyler:  It was meant for a musical adaptation of “Nosferatu”.

SOURCE: Mental Floss