There are infinitely more reasons for a song to fail than succeed.
Some of music’s biggest hits endured long journeys of rejection and misfires before topping the charts and becoming the soundtrack to people’s lives.
The iconic songs below were all intended for other artists, including future Hall of Famers. A legendary Heartbreaker even had his future hit turned down by his own bandmate. Thankfully, the tracks below weren’t altogether abandoned. Regardless of the intention, where they ended up is exactly where they needed to be.
Like Tina Turner said, Opposites attract.
“The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley from Building the Perfect Beast (1984)
Mike Campbell had been experimenting with a LinnDrum machine and created the track for “The Boys of Summer.” The guitarist presented it to Tom Petty but Petty didn’t think it fit the Heartbreakers’ sound. Producer Jimmy Iovine suggested Don Henley. After changing the song’s key, they rerecorded the song for Henley’s second solo album. “The Boys of Summer” became the defining hit of Henley’s solo career. It’s a wistful boomer anthem lamenting what happened to the lost ideals of youth.
“Call Me” by Blondie from the American Gigolo Soundtrack (1980)
Blondie’s most popular song isn’t really a Blondie song. Italian composer and musician Giorgio Moroder wrote it as the theme to the 1980 film American Gigolo. Moroder presented the track to Stevie Nicks but she declined because of an existing recording contract. Then the composer approached Debbie Harry and she wrote the lyrics to his instrumental piece. Blondie attempted to record their parts but Moroder grew impatient with the sessions. He replaced Blondie with session musicians and finished the instrumental recording in Los Angeles. Harry is the only band member credited on “Call Me.”
“Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen from The River (1980)
After watching the Ramones in Ashbury Park, New Jersey, Springsteen said he wanted to write a Ramones song. And he did. However, Springsteen told talk-show host Jimmy Fallon that when he played it for Joey Ramone, the band’s lead vocalist said, “Nah, you better keep that one.” Said Springsteen, “He was right about that. It did pretty well.” The title comes from the Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem “Ulysses.” Released as the first single from The River, “Hungry Heart” was Springsteen’s first hit on the Billboard singles chart, reaching No. 5.
For always roaming with a hungry heart
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner from Private Dancer (1984)
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Tina Turner singing this classic. Notably, it’s also Turner’s only No. 1 single. Various artists passed on the song including Donna Summer, Cliff Richard, and English pop group Bucks Fizz. (Bucks Fizz later recorded a version.) Phyllis Hyman wanted to record “What’s Love Got to Do with It” but Arista Records boss Clive Davis said no. Still, Turner’s iconic version was a massive hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and won three Grammy Awards. Turner’s music video for the song shows what a magical force she was. Legend.
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