Many musicians don’t write their own songs. That’s what songwriters are for. These heroes work behind-the-scenes, often targeting the songs they write for specific artists. But what happens when the intended artist passes on the song?

Well, sometimes it gets picked up by a different artist. And sometimes it becomes so iconic we can’t imagine it was ever intended for someone else. Here are some hits that were originally meant for other singers, according to Billboard:

1. '...Baby One More Time' - Britney Spears

TLC actually turned down this hit song, but that totally worked in Britney’s favor, huh?

2. 'Umbrella' - Rihanna

Apparently this song was offered to Britney in 2007 as a possible comeback song after a series of breakdowns. Her management said no, Rihanna said yes, and the rest is history.

3. 'Gold Digger' - Kanye West

When Chicago rapper Shawnna passed on this song, Yeezy rewrote the hook to work with a male perspective and rapped the thing himself.

4. 'Don’t Cha' - The Pussycat Dolls

Before this track was offered to the Dolls, it was offered to both the Sugababes and Paris Hilton.

5. 'Let’s Get Loud' - Jennifer Lopez

Estefan and Kike Santander originally wrote this song for Estefan to sing, but it ended up going to J.Lo.

6. 'Rock Your Body' - Justin Timberlake

This hit song was actually a hand-me-down from Michael Jackson, who passed on it.

7. 'How Will I Know' - Whitney Houston

This was Houston’s number one hit on the Hot 100, but apparently it was first offered to Janet Jackson, whose management declined the song.

8. 'Telephone' - Lady Gaga

Gaga actually wrote this song herself, but originally meant for Britney Spears to sing it. When Spears rejected it, Gaga saved it for her own album instead.