Written by Gardner Cole and Peter Rafelson, it was conceived as a rock and roll song titled "Follow Your Heart" for singer Cyndi Lauper
 

Written by Ira Shickman, Osborne Bingham, Kara DioGuardi and Paula Abdul, the song was initially meant to be recorded by Abdul for her own album.

 

Written by Stefani and Dallas Austin, He originally wrote the song for Christina Aguilera. 
 

It was written by Azalea, Katy Perry, Sarah Hudson, Benny Blanco, and duo Stargate, while the latter also produced the song.

 

 

Four smash hits that they refused to record, could the future of their careers have changed if they recorded these songs?

 

Discuss 

Edited August 30, 2025Aug 30 by Link16

Thank god

notice how godty actually wrote the song she graciously donated. a songwriter and a saint!

Edited August 30, 2025Aug 30 by KatyPrismSpirit

Considering how Black Widow did nothing to help Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora, I am doubtful it would help save Katy Perry's career either 

 

 

black widow is the temu dark horse so that's no loss

 

(not that dark horse is a good song either)

4 minutes ago, KatyPrismSpirit said:

notice how godty is the only one who actually wrote the song she graciously donated. a songwriter and a saint!

Paula also, wrote it about her divorce. 

 

 

Edited August 30, 2025Aug 30 by Link16

3 minutes ago, gelato said:

black window is the temu dark horse 

Black Widow wouldn't do much for Katy's career back then cause as a single from Prism it would've been cannibalized by Dark Horse and it sounded too similar anyway, unless it's a Iggy ft. Katy situation maybe she would've had her 10th #1

4 minutes ago, Kiss It Better said:

unless it's a Iggy ft. Katy situation maybe she would've had her 10th #1

This song, Katy ft Iggy, after the 2015 Super Bowl, as the first single from the Deluxe version of Prism would have been a super HIT. 

It's a good thing they didn't accept any of the songs. 

The way most of them in the OP are staples in their catalogue... and then there's the sneak

19 minutes ago, Spicy Pisces said:

The way most of them in the OP are staples in their catalogue... and then there's the sneak

Black Widow would've been a #1 hit if Katy was featured in it back in 2014-2015. 

 

It's too similar to DH and it wouldn't make sense on PRISM or even on a deluxe, but as an Iggy collab would've given her a cute chart-topper for her collection.

The AI Cover of Cool by Christina was weird. No wonder Christina rejected it, it didn't fit her vocal style tbh.

1 minute ago, Princess Aurora said:

The AI Cover of Cool by Christina was weird. No wonder Christina rejected it, it didn't fit her vocal style tbh.

where is? 

26 minutes ago, Link16 said:

where is? 

It was on YouTube last year, but it was taken down. It didn't sound good, though. The 'I Hear Your Voice' AI Cover was the most decent AI Cover I've heard from Christina. 

22 minutes ago, Princess Aurora said:

It was on YouTube last year, but it was taken down. It didn't sound good, though. The 'I Hear Your Voice' AI Cover was the most decent AI Cover I've heard from Christina. 

Cool would have worked very well with BTB's aesthetic 

2 minutes ago, Link16 said:

Cool would have worked very well with BTB's aesthetic 

I don't know, honestly. I think Hurt was a better choice

21 minutes ago, Princess Aurora said:

I don't know, honestly. I think Hurt was a better choice

The music video is soooo Christina also, released as the fourth single it would have been a hit.

 

Edited August 30, 2025Aug 30 by Link16

12 minutes ago, Link16 said:

The music video is soooo Christina also, released as the fourth single it would have been a hit.

 

I can see the vision aesthetically but I think in terms of lyrical content, it fit Gwen's life a lot better. 

For Christina, her ex going into the B2B era was a closeted gay man who used her for fame and clout...there was no way that Christina was going to record and release a song talking about being cool with a man who tried to use her to social climb. 

Christina would've ruined Cool

19 hours ago, BionicWooHoo said:

I can see the vision aesthetically but I think in terms of lyrical content, it fit Gwen's life a lot better. 

For Christina, her ex going into the B2B era was a closeted gay man who used her for fame and clout...there was no way that Christina was going to record and release a song talking about being cool with a man who tried to use her to social climb. 

this song is about him? 
 

 

7 hours ago, Link16 said:

this song is about him? 
 

 

I believe so. They broke up after this was recorded tho