What's Happening?
Two of Ariana Grande's hit songs from her 2018 album 'Sweetener,' 'God Is a Woman' and 'R.E.M.,' were originally considered for Beyoncé and JAY-Z. Songwriter Ilya Salmanzadeh, known professionally as Ilya, revealed in an interview on Ross Golan’s 'And
the Writer Is…' that 'God Is a Woman' was initially pitched to the superstar couple for their joint album, 'Everything Is Love,' released in the same year. Although the song didn't materialize for them, Ilya had Grande in mind for the track. Similarly, 'R.E.M.' originated from a demo written by Pharrell Williams that had been considered for Beyoncé's 2013 self-titled album and an earlier version, 'Dream,' for T-Pain in 2011. Grande ultimately took charge of 'God Is a Woman,' writing its verses, pre-chorus, and harmonies, leading to its success, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving four-times-platinum certification from the RIAA.
Why It's Important?
This revelation highlights the dynamic and often circuitous journey of hit songs in the music industry, demonstrating how a track can pass through multiple artists and projects before finding its definitive home. It underscores the significant role of an artist's interpretation and creative input in shaping a song's final form and success. For Ariana Grande, taking ownership of 'God Is a Woman' by contributing significantly to its lyrical and harmonic structure proved to be a pivotal career moment, solidifying its place as one of her biggest hits. This scenario also illustrates the collaborative nature of songwriting and production, where demos are frequently circulated among artists, and the ultimate success often depends on the perfect match between song and performer. The fact that such prominent tracks were nearly recorded by other major artists like Beyoncé and JAY-Z emphasizes the competitive landscape of the music industry and the constant search for chart-topping material.
What's Next?
While the immediate impact of this historical revelation is primarily retrospective, it could influence future songwriting and production strategies within the music industry. Songwriters and producers might continue to pitch demos to multiple high-profile artists, understanding that a song's potential can be realized by various performers. For artists like Ariana Grande, this story reinforces the value of creative autonomy and the importance of an artist's vision in transforming a demo into a signature hit. It may also spark renewed interest in the creative processes behind other popular songs, potentially leading to more disclosures about tracks that almost went to different artists. This insight could also encourage emerging artists to actively engage in the songwriting process, as Grande did, to leave their unique mark on their music.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate narrative of song origins, this story touches upon the broader cultural phenomenon of musical interpretation and artistic identity. It raises questions about what truly makes a song 'belong' to an artist—is it the initial composition, the vocal performance, or the artist's creative input in shaping the final product? In Grande's case, her active involvement in writing and arranging 'God Is a Woman' transformed it from a potential track for another artist into a defining piece of her own discography. This also subtly highlights the power dynamics within the music industry, where established artists like Beyoncé and JAY-Z are often the first recipients of high-quality demos, yet the ultimate success can still hinge on the unique connection an artist makes with the material. It's a testament to the idea that sometimes, a song simply needs the 'right voice' to achieve its full potential, irrespective of who was initially considered.
