Instant Alert: These 13 massive hit songs were originally rejected by other artists

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   These 13 massive hit songs were originally rejected by other artists by Amanda Macias on Mar 19, 2016, 3:48 PM Advertisement Can you imagine the three-woman American R&B group TLC singing Britney Spears' "...Baby One More Time?" Neither can we, but it almost happened. Spears' debut single was originally written for TLC, but the trio passed on what would turn out to be an enormous cultural phenomenon. Here are 13 hits that almost went to other artists: SEE ALSO: We finally know the meaning of 'Hit Me Baby One More Time,' but it's not what you think Rihanna's "Umbrella" ... by Britney Spears Rihanna's "Umbrella" was originally written with pop star Britney Spears in mind, according to author John Seabrook of "The Song Machine." But Spears' label rejected the song because she already had a full load of material to record. Released in late March 2007, Rihanna's "Umbrella" topped the Billboard charts, staying there for seven straight weeks and changing her career and innocent island-girl image. Youtube Embed: http://www.youtube.com/embed/CvBfHwUxHIk?rel=0 Width: 800px Height: 450px Pharrell's "Happy" ... by CeeLo Green Singer, rapper, and producer Pharrell Williams told Howard Stern that the infectiously popular "Happy" was intended for CeeLo Green. Pharrell turned "Happy" into a worldwide hit and sold more than 5 million digital singles. To date, "Happy" remains his most successful song, with 47 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100. During a 2014 interview with Oprah, Pharrell began crying after watching a supercut of people around the world dancing to his song "Happy." "It's overwhelming because I love what I do," he told Oprah. Youtube Embed: http://www.youtube.com/embed/y6Sxv-sUYtM?rel=0 Width: 800px Height: 450px Rihanna's "S.O.S." ... by Christina Milian One of Rihanna's first hits, "S.O.S." spent three weeks at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 in 2006. But the catchy tune was originally written for singer-actress Christina Milian, who rejected the song. Meanwhile, Milian hasn't had a hit since "Dip It Low," which was released in 2004. Youtube Embed: http://www.youtube.com/embed/IXmF4GbA86E?rel=0 Width: 800px Height: 450px See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network: Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011