22 Songs You Won't Believe Were Originally Written For Other People

1. 'Umbrella' was recorded by Rihanna but written for Britney Spears.

After being in the limelight for reasons other than music, Britney Spears was ready for a comeback in 2007 and The Dream had the perfect track for her - 'Umbrella.' But Britney's management rejected the track, and it was also passed on by Mary J. Blige before it ended in Rihanna's hands. The impact the song had on Rihanna's career speaks for itself. Would the track have done the same for Britney?

2. 'Disturbia' was recorded by Rihanna but written for Chris Brown.

Breezy said of giving the song to his once girlfriend: "It's fun being creative and even if you have a concept in your head to write about, you can write it and give it and give it to someone else because it might not personally fit you, but it might be an idea you have."

3. 'R.I.P.' was recorded by Rita Ora but written for Rihanna.

Rita Ora's breakthrough hit 'R.I.P.' was actually written by Drake and intended for Rihanna. However after Rih Rih passed on the track, Rita Ora took it and made a hit alongside Tinie Tempah. Picture: Splash/Getty

4. 'Pretty Hurts' was recorded by Beyonce but written for Rihanna.

Sia, who wrote the hit single, actually wrote the song for Katy Perry. However after she got no reply, she then forwarded the song to Rihanna. However according to reports, Rihanna's manager held onto 'Pretty Hurts' for 8 months but didn't want to pay the soaring fee to secure the song. According to Sia, "When Beyonce heard it, she slid into home base and just closed the deal.” Picture: Getty

5. 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' was recorded by Britney Spears but written for TLC.

In a recent interview TLC were asked why they rejected the song that went on to give Britney Spears worldwide fame. "I'm not saying 'hit me baby.' No disrespect to Britney" T-Boz said. "It's good for her. But was I going to say 'hit me baby one more time'? Hell no!"

6. 'Paris' was recorded by Jay Z, but written for Pusha T.

Pusha T has admitted that Jay Z and Kanye West's 'Watch The Throne' collaboration was originally going to be his. He humbly said in a 2011 interview "I tell people all the time that I don't know if I would've attached it that way… Which means the record might not have been as special once I got on it".

7. 'Gold Digger' was recorded by Kanye West but written for Shawnna.

Us singer Shawnna passed on the song that went on to be one of 'Ye's biggest hits ever. After it fell into his hands, he rewrote the hook to accommodate a male perspective. That must hurt for Shawnna.

8. 'Milkshake' was recorded by Kelis but written for Britney Spears.

Iconic Noughties anthem 'Milkshake' was actually intended for Britney Spears' fourth studio album 'In The Zone' but found its way to Kelis - who turned it into a classic! Picture: Getty

9. 'Kill For You' was recorded by Skylar Grey but written for Rihanna.

Skylar Grey's Eminem collaboration 'Kill For You' was actually written for Rihanna. The 'Work' singer even tweeted lyrics from the track back in 2014 however RiRi ended up not using the song. Grey later told Genius, she was "secretly pleased" because she wanted to keep the song for herself.

10. 'Find Your Love' was recorded by Drake but written for Rihanna.

'Find Your Love' was made for Rihanna by Kanye West and his mentor No I.D, who claim to have made the song in just one hour. The song's producer Jeff Bhasker said: "For one reason or another it didn't make it to Rihanna's album, so Drake took it and made a smash out of it."

11. 'S.o.S' was recorded by Rihanna but written for Christina Milian.

Christina Milian famously passed on 'S.o.S' - the song that went on to become Rihanna's first number one. Meanwhile Milian is yet to have a hit since her 2004 'Dip It Low' - but who's to say if it would have had the same impact if it was from anyone other than Rih's lips?

12. 'Resentment' was recorded by Beyoncé but written for Victoria Beckham.

This is a funny one, because 'Resentment' wasn't turned down by Victoria Beckham, she actually recorded it for her own album (and you can find her version on YouTube). Fortunately for us (sorry Victoria), Mrs Beckham's album was shelved. If that wouldn't have happened, Bey would never have got her hands on it and recorded it herself.

13. 'Happy' was recorded by Pharrell but written by Cee Lo Green.

In an interview with Howard Stern, Pharrell made the shock revelation that even thought he wrote 'Happy', which went on to break records, he did it for Cee Lo Green. "[Cee Lo Green] wanted to do it…and he did do it. He burns my version! But…how do I say this diplomatically? The powers that be, at the time, did not see it fit for him…they elected not to do that song."

14. 'Rock Your Body' was recorded by Justin Timberlake but written for Michael Jackson.

'Rock Your Body' was written by Justin Timberlake and The Neptunes (aka Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) specifically for Michael Jackson, who sadly rejected it. The good news is that it meant JT recorded it for his debut album 'Justified,' and the version we all know and love was born.

15. 'Telephone' was recorded by Beyoncé and Lady Gaga but written for Britney Spears.

Gaga may have written 'Telephone,' but it was never with herself in mind. She actually wrote is specifically to be included in Britney's 'Circus' album, but Brit didn't want it. To say Gaga showed her would be an understatement, she only went and recruited Beyoncé to collaborate and made it a hit.

16. 'Irreplaceable' was recorded by Beyoncé but written for Shania Twain.

'Irreplaceable' was written by the extremely talented singer and songwriter Ne-Yo, along with production duo Stargate. The track was actually written with a country vibe in mind, and intended to land in Shania Twain or Faith Hill's lap, but when Beyoncé heard it she loved it and took it for herself. Now you think about it, you can still kind of hear the country vibe in the track can't you?

17. 'Halo' was recorded by Beyoncé but written for Leona Lewis.

Halo was written by Ryan Tedder, and was once offered to Leona Lewis. Tedder says that he offered it to Lewis as a threat to get Beyoncé to hurry up with the recording process, but Leona's manager Simon Cowell said Leona was too busy, which is when Bey came in and grabbed it for herself.

18. 'Nothin On You' was recorded by B.o.B but was written for Lupe Fiasco.

It became B.o.B's breakout song, but before he put his vocals to it Bruno Mars-assisted song 'Nothin On You' was offered to his Atlantic label-mate Lupe Fiasco. Fiasco actually recorded the track himself, but the label rejected his version of it. He referred to the experience as an "audacity."

19. 'Do It Like A Dude' was recorded by Jessie J but written for Rihanna.

Many stars get their start by songwriting for already-famous singers. Jessie J actually penned Miley Cyrus' 'Party In The USA'. But when she wrote 'Do It Like A Dude' and sent to to Def Jam for Rihanna, they sent it back, saying it was so good she should record it herself, which Jessie did. The song put Jessie on the map.

20. 'We Found Love' was recorded by Rihanna but written for Nicole Scherzinger.

In an interview with Notion Magazine Nicole Scherzinger revealed that although Rihanna recorded the Calvin-Harris produced song, she was also sent a demo of 'We Found Love.' "I've got the demo of that song and I was busy at the time" she said.

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