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Post by tim on May 7, 2014 23:19:19 GMT -5
The thread discussing songs written by one artist and sung by another got me thinking about something along the same lines...songs either originally written with another artist in mind or specifically written for a particular artist that ended up passing on it. Other examples I was thinking of is when an artist had to fight to keep a hold on a song to record and release it. I only know of a few examples and wanted to open up this thread while it's still fresh in my mind.
"Friends in Low Places" I don't know the full story behind this, but if I'm correct it goes something like this: it was either written with George Strait in mind or he passed on it...the song sat around for a few years when an unknown artist at the time (Garth Brooks) recorded a demo for it and liked it so much he then asked the songwriters to put it on hold for him until his next album as his debut album wasn't even out yet. Still unsure about the "hold" claim as Mark Chesnutt also got his hands on the song and both him and Garth put them on albums released around about the same time.
"Irreplaceable" recorded by Beyonce This song was originally a country record written with the idea of Shania Twain or Faith Hill singing vocals. It ended up in Beyonce's hands and together they modified the vocal arrangements and instrumentation.
"Do You Believe Me Now" by Jimmy Wayne I remember Jimmy talking about this song back when it went up to #1 and he mentioned how he had to fight to keep this song; he told a story about being in a meeting and hearing this song coming down the hall from another office and they were pitching it to someone else...if I'm correct Jimmy said he ran down the hall and pleaded with everyone to let him record it as he had already been working hard on the vocals and arrangement.
"A Little More Country Than That" by Easton Corbin This song was originally intended for Blaine Larsen but his label passed on it; the song sat around for five or six years before ending up in Easton's hands.
"Blue" by LeAnn Rimes (written by the great Bill Mack) Although not written with Patsy Cline in mind, the song was set to be pitched to Patsy prior to her untimely death in 1963.
"Easy Come Easy Go" by George Strait George had to put up a small fight with his longtime songwriting friend Dean Dillon to record and release this one. Dean was just about to release a studio album and also wanted to release this as a single. Dean's album dropped in June of 1993 and George's in September. George persuaded Dean otherwise and this became another #1 for the two.
"Love of My Life" by Sammy Kershaw This may not technically qualify, but I do remember George Strait remarking how had he gotten his hands on this one he would've for sure recorded it, but that he was happy to see it be a success for Sammy.
That's about all I can think of, but I'm sure there are many more examples.
edit: so as not to double post, I almost forgot about Dolly's "I Will Always Love You." Although a hit on its own, Elvis wanted to record it under one condition: she would have to relinquish 50% of the publishing rights to Elvis. Dolly refused such offer and I am glad she did. The history of that song might be different today had Elvis recorded it (and Dolly obviously would've lost a lot of money from such deal).
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on May 8, 2014 9:55:24 GMT -5
I never heard George Strait getting involved with Friends In Low Places. He had a CD out at the time called Livin' It Up. Was he planning to put it on that CD? Interesting story, though.
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Post by tim on May 8, 2014 10:37:37 GMT -5
^I'm not sure if George was ever actually attached to it or if it was pitched to him, but I've heard that story shared here and there before.
Another example I just thought of is "Jesus Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. This was first pitched to Sara Evans who apparently didn't think too highly of the song. Rascal Flatts also passed on it as well.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on May 8, 2014 10:42:59 GMT -5
^I'm not sure if George was ever actually attached to it or if it was pitched to him, but I've heard that story shared here and there before. Another example I just thought of is "Jesus Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. This was first pitched to Sara Evans who apparently didn't think too highly of the song. Rascal Flatts also passed on it as well. I definitely heard the story of Sara Evans declining Jesus, Take The Wheel. If I recall correctly, I think she said the song was 'too silly' for her or something like that. Evans was on the chart with Cheatin', which peaked at #9 while Carrie Underwood was at the top with Jesus (shouldn't Jesus be at the top always?).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 10:43:16 GMT -5
Kacey Musgraves really wanted "Mama's Broken Heart," but Miranda basically begged Kacey to give it to her. :) Jason Aldean passed on Luke's "Drunk On You" "Take Me There" was passed on from Kenny Chesney to Rascal Flatts; he thought his voice wasn't high enough to sing it.
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Dustin J.
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Post by Dustin J. on May 8, 2014 12:27:57 GMT -5
When I saw the title of this thread, this is the first thing I thought of...
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on May 8, 2014 12:30:39 GMT -5
I can not picture anyone else singing that but the Dixie Chicks.
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ant
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Post by ant on May 8, 2014 12:38:07 GMT -5
^I'm not sure if George was ever actually attached to it or if it was pitched to him, but I've heard that story shared here and there before. Another example I just thought of is "Jesus Take The Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. This was first pitched to Sara Evans who apparently didn't think too highly of the song. Rascal Flatts also passed on it as well. I heard that it was also offered to Faith Hill for her Fireflies album, but she also passed on it. Gretchen Wilson was supposedly offered "Before He Cheats" as well.
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Post by countryfan4life on May 8, 2014 12:57:47 GMT -5
"Take Me There" was passed on from Kenny Chesney to Rascal Flatts; he thought his voice wasn't high enough to sing it. I remember hearing this story, I think Kenny was a co-writer on the song as well. Here are a few more: Luke Bryan passed on "Take A Little Ride" Night Train was originally for Kristy Lee Cook, but she didn't think it was the right song for her I believe Scotty McCreery had "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" and "Outta My Head" on hold before Randy House and Craig Campbell recorded them. Blake Shelton passed on "I Wanna Talk About Me" "Who Are You When I’m Not Looking," was originally on Joe Nichols' "Real Things" album which came out before Blake Shelton recorded his version. I believe the story is that Blake heard it on Joe's album and said if Joe does not release the song as a single he was going to record it. I also recently found out that Joe wanted to release the song as a single, but his label was against it.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on May 8, 2014 13:02:34 GMT -5
"Take Me There" was passed on from Kenny Chesney to Rascal Flatts; he thought his voice wasn't high enough to sing it. Blake Shelton passed on "I Wanna Talk About Me" Blake said he wanted to cut and release "I Wanna Talk About Me". It was his label that said it wouldn't do good. Bobby Braddock was a good friend who helped Blake with his career early on and he let Blake have a chance at it before Toby.
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Post by countryfan4life on May 8, 2014 13:23:48 GMT -5
Blake Shelton passed on "I Wanna Talk About Me" Blake said he wanted to cut and release "I Wanna Talk About Me". It was his label that said it wouldn't do good. Bobby Braddock was a good friend who helped Blake with his career early on and he let Blake have a chance at it before Toby. That's right, because I remember watching the GAC Backstory special and hearing Blake say that he was interested, but the label said radio would never play it because of the rapping... funny how things have changed. Just my opinion, but I never consider what Toby does in this song rapping.
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rgreen0625
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Post by rgreen0625 on May 8, 2014 14:33:27 GMT -5
"Young Love" was originally recorded by Chuck Wicks in 2009, and was intended to be on his sophomore release with RCA Nashville that never happened. A few years later, it ended up with Kip Moore
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on May 8, 2014 18:09:57 GMT -5
I believe "Big Green Tractor" was intended for Jake Owen and "Chicken Fried" was intended for Alan Jackson.
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someguy
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Post by someguy on May 8, 2014 18:21:42 GMT -5
Reba McEntire passed on both "Independence Day" by Martina McBride and "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" by George Strait.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on May 8, 2014 18:24:47 GMT -5
I believe "Big Green Tractor" was intended for Jake Owen and "Chicken Fried" was intended for Alan Jackson. The Lost Trailers cut "Chicken Fried" and their label BNA released it to country radio in March of 2006. Then Zac Brown changed his mind and requested the song be pulled. The Lost Trailers version reached #52 on Billboard and #51 on R&R.
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on May 8, 2014 18:50:57 GMT -5
I believe "Big Green Tractor" was intended for Jake Owen and "Chicken Fried" was intended for Alan Jackson. The Lost Trailers cut "Chicken Fried" and their label BNA released it to country radio in March of 2006. Then Zac Brown changed his mind and requested the song be pulled. The Lost Trailers version reached #52 on Billboard and #51 on R&R. I'm pretty sure I read an article saying it was originally sent to AJ but he turned it down because he didn't want back to back songs mentioning chicken ("Where I Come From" was just released). I could be wrong though.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on May 8, 2014 18:56:38 GMT -5
The Lost Trailers cut "Chicken Fried" and their label BNA released it to country radio in March of 2006. Then Zac Brown changed his mind and requested the song be pulled. The Lost Trailers version reached #52 on Billboard and #51 on R&R. I'm pretty sure I read an article saying it was originally sent to AJ but he turned it down because he didn't want back to back songs mentioning chicken ("Where I Come From" was just released). I could be wrong though. Oh I'm not saying you're incorrect. I was just pointing out that not only was it intended for someone, but someone else did in fact cut it and released as a single it over two years before ZBB did. Zac had a publishing deal, so I'm sure a few artists showed some interest.
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Post by George Strait Junkie on May 8, 2014 19:05:04 GMT -5
The thread discussing songs written by one artist and sung by another got me thinking about something along the same lines...songs either originally written with another artist in mind or specifically written for a particular artist that ended up passing on it. Other examples I was thinking of is when an artist had to fight to keep a hold on a song to record and release it. I only know of a few examples and wanted to open up this thread while it's still fresh in my mind. "Friends in Low Places" I don't know the full story behind this, but if I'm correct it goes something like this: it was either written with George Strait in mind or he passed on it...the song sat around for a few years when an unknown artist at the time (Garth Brooks) recorded a demo for it and liked it so much he then asked the songwriters to put it on hold for him until his next album as his debut album wasn't even out yet. Still unsure about the "hold" claim as Mark Chesnutt also got his hands on the song and both him and Garth put them on albums released around about the same time. "Irreplaceable" recorded by Beyonce This song was originally a country record written with the idea of Shania Twain or Faith Hill singing vocals. It ended up in Beyonce's hands and together they modified the vocal arrangements and instrumentation. "Do You Believe Me Now" by Jimmy Wayne I remember Jimmy talking about this song back when it went up to #1 and he mentioned how he had to fight to keep this song; he told a story about being in a meeting and hearing this song coming down the hall from another office and they were pitching it to someone else...if I'm correct Jimmy said he ran down the hall and pleaded with everyone to let him record it as he had already been working hard on the vocals and arrangement. "A Little More Country Than That" by Easton Corbin This song was originally intended for Blaine Larsen but his label passed on it; the song sat around for five or six years before ending up in Easton's hands. "Blue" by LeAnn Rimes (written by the great Bill Mack) Although not written with Patsy Cline in mind, the song was set to be pitched to Patsy prior to her untimely death in 1963. "Easy Come Easy Go" by George Strait George had to put up a small fight with his longtime songwriting friend Dean Dillon to record and release this one. Dean was just about to release a studio album and also wanted to release this as a single. Dean's album dropped in June of 1993 and George's in September. George persuaded Dean otherwise and this became another #1 for the two. "Love of My Life" by Sammy Kershaw This may not technically qualify, but I do remember George Strait remarking how had he gotten his hands on this one he would've for sure recorded it, but that he was happy to see it be a success for Sammy. That's about all I can think of, but I'm sure there are many more examples. edit: so as not to double post, I almost forgot about Dolly's "I Will Always Love You." Although a hit on its own, Elvis wanted to record it under one condition: she would have to relinquish 50% of the publishing rights to Elvis. Dolly refused such offer and I am glad she did. The history of that song might be different today had Elvis recorded it (and Dolly obviously would've lost a lot of money from such deal). i have heard that Easton's song was also almost cut by George Strait as well but he decided not too
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Post by countryfan4life on May 8, 2014 19:30:58 GMT -5
i have heard that Easton's song was also almost cut by George Strait as well but he decided not too I have heard this too. Believe it or not I remember it being because the song was too country. I could be wrong, because that sounds a little bizarre to me, but for some reason I remember hearing it.
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Post by George Strait Junkie on May 8, 2014 19:35:38 GMT -5
i have heard that Easton's song was also almost cut by George Strait as well but he decided not too I have heard this too. Believe it or not I remember it being because the song was too country. I could be wrong, because that sounds a little bizarre to me, but for some reason I remember hearing it. the way i heard it George passed on it cause he had other songs that he liked better and fit the album this track just didn't work. the "too country" line and George Strait don't fit in the same sentence lol
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Post by countryfan4life on May 8, 2014 19:59:31 GMT -5
I have heard this too. Believe it or not I remember it being because the song was too country. I could be wrong, because that sounds a little bizarre to me, but for some reason I remember hearing it. the way i heard it George passed on it cause he had other songs that he liked better and fit the album this track just didn't work. the "too country" line and George Strait don't fit in the same sentence lol Haha trust me I agree, that's why I found it strange, but I swear I heard that somewhere.
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jferstler
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Post by jferstler on May 8, 2014 20:44:03 GMT -5
George Jones had an Album called Hits I Missed and One I Didn't and I can't remember was songs were on it but On The Other Hand which became a Randy Travis hit was on it.
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jdbowman
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Post by jdbowman on May 8, 2014 22:35:45 GMT -5
Didn't Kenny Chesney pass on "People are Crazy"????
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on May 9, 2014 14:38:35 GMT -5
Night Train was originally for Kristy Lee Cook, but she didn't think it was the right song for her I'm having trouble even imagining this, lol. I can't see a woman singing "Night Train." It's just worded like its meant to be sung from a male perspective.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on May 9, 2014 15:43:11 GMT -5
George Jones had an Album called Hits I Missed and One I Didn't and I can't remember was songs were on it but On The Other Hand which became a Randy Travis hit was on it. You're right. I covered that last year when I saluted On The Other Hand by Randy Travis.
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Ten Pound Hammer
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Post by Ten Pound Hammer on May 10, 2014 12:20:22 GMT -5
I've heard that Joe Diffie intended for George Jones to release "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame)" but the Possum passed on it. You can tell Diffie's doing his best George Jones when singing it.
George Strait supposedly had "Love Done Gone" on hold at one point. I'm glad Billy C. got it, because I honestly don't think George would've put the "ba ba da, ba da ba" part in there.
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urbanscot
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Post by urbanscot on May 11, 2014 17:56:51 GMT -5
You Look Good In My Shirt was originally for Tim McGraw but he passed on it.
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mairy
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Post by mairy on May 13, 2014 19:49:43 GMT -5
"I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes", which is on Ronnie Dunn's album was originally for Tim McGraw. He even recorded it ,aparently, a couple years ago, but never put it on an album.
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mairy
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Post by mairy on May 13, 2014 19:51:42 GMT -5
"I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes", which is on Ronnie Dunn's album was originally intended for Tim McGraw. He even recorded it, aparently, a couple years ago, but never put it on an album.
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avalyn
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Post by avalyn on May 13, 2014 20:15:33 GMT -5
What Hurts the Most was cut twice before Rascal Flatts cut/released the song. Mark Willis originally recorded for his album 'And the Crowd Goes Wild and Faith Hill cut it for 'Fireflies' but dropped the song last minute because it didn't fit the vibe of the rest of the album. - Source
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