Before Hollywood, There Was The Recording Studio
Some of Hollywood's most recognizable faces have surprising musical histories. Before their big breaks, several were singing backup for established stars or appearing on records without getting much attention. Others made unexpected guest appearances after becoming famous. Here are the performers whose hidden recording credits might surprise you.
Cher: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (1964)
Before becoming an Oscar-winning actress, Cher was a teenage backup singer working with producer Phil Spector. She contributed vocals to the Righteous Brothers' enormous hit "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." She also worked on recordings by the Ronettes, years before making headlines with Sonny Bono.
Casablanca Records, Wikimedia Commons
Darlene Love: He's A Rebel (1962)
Darlene Love later became familiar to moviegoers through the Lethal Weapon films, but her musical history was already legendary. She sang lead on the Crystals' No. 1 hit "He's a Rebel." The twist? The Crystals weren't actually singing on the recording. Love and the Blossoms were.
Screenshot from “He’s a Rebel,” Philles Records (1962), Enhanced
Whitney Houston: Clouds (1980)
Before her movie debut in The Bodyguard, and before becoming a solo superstar, Whitney Houston worked as a backup singer. She contributed vocals to Chaka Khan's 1980 R&B hit "Clouds." At the time, Houston was just 16, and few listeners knew the enormous talent hiding behind Khan.
Asterio Tecson, Wikimedia Commons
Dolly Parton: Put It Off Until Tomorrow (1966)
Long before 9 to 5, Dolly Parton was a young Nashville songwriter looking for her big break. She sang harmony on Bill Phillips' recording of "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," which became a Top 10 country hit. Her contribution helped introduce her voice to the country music industry.
RCA Records, Wikimedia Commons
Mariah Carey: I Still Believe (1988)
Before her solo breakthrough and eventual film appearances, Mariah Carey worked as a backup singer for Brenda K. Starr. Starr's "I Still Believe" became a Top 20 hit in 1988. Carey later recorded her own successful version, bringing a song connected to her early career full circle.
Screenshot from “I Still Believe,” Columbia Records (1999)
Mary J. Blige: I'll Do 4 U (1990)
Long before her Oscar-nominated performance in Mudbound, Mary J. Blige appeared on Father MC's 1990 hit "I'll Do 4 U." She provided background vocals before releasing her debut album. The recording offered an early taste of the voice that would eventually earn her the nickname Queen of Hip-Hop Soul.
Screenshot from “I’ll Do 4 U,” Uptown Records (1990), Enhanced
Christina Milian: Play (2001)
Before starring in Love Don't Cost a Thing, Christina Milian helped create Jennifer Lopez's hit "Play." Milian co-wrote the track and supplied background vocals that remained in the finished recording. Although Lopez received the spotlight, Milian's work played an important part in the song's success.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
John Legend: You Don't Know My Name (2003)
Before his Grammy-winning solo career and appearance in La La Land, John Legend provided background vocals on Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name." The Kanye West-produced single became a major R&B hit. Legend's debut album wouldn't arrive until the following year.
Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr., Wikimedia Commons
Kesha: Nothing In This World (2006)
Before becoming a pop superstar and making television appearances, Kesha worked as a studio singer. She contributed background vocals to Paris Hilton's 2006 single "Nothing in This World." The song wasn't a major American chart success, but it gave Kesha another recording credit before her breakthrough.
Kesha_2011_2.jpg: Peter Neill derivative work: Tabercil (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Brandy: Singing Behind Immature
Before becoming the star of Moesha, Brandy Norwood worked as a background singer for the R&B group Immature. She was still a child when she began performing professionally. Her early work helped prepare her for the successful recording and acting careers that followed during the 1990s.
Timothy M. Moore at https://www.flickr.com/photos/photocology/, Wikimedia Commons
Faith Evans: Mary J. Blige's My Life (1994)
Before her own recording success and film appearances, Faith Evans was working behind the scenes. She contributed background vocals to Mary J. Blige's successful My Life album. Evans was still relatively unknown, but she would release her debut album just one year later.
Timothy M. Moore at https://www.flickr.com/photos/photocology/, Wikimedia Commons
Ed Sheeran: Love Yourself (2015)
Ed Sheeran was already famous as a singer when he quietly contributed background vocals to Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself." He also co-wrote the massive hit. Sheeran later appeared in Game of Thrones and films, making this an example of a recording star whose screen career followed his musical success.
Harald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons
Katey Sagal: Soul Kiss (1985)
Before becoming Peggy Bundy on Married... with Children, Katey Sagal worked as a professional backup singer. She contributed vocals to Olivia Newton-John's "Soul Kiss" and also worked with Bette Midler and Etta James. Her musical career was already well established before television audiences discovered her.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Luther Vandross: Young Americans (1975)
Before becoming a soul superstar and making occasional screen appearances, Luther Vandross sang backup for David Bowie. His voice appeared on Bowie's 1975 album Young Americans, including the title track. Vandross also helped arrange vocals, demonstrating his extraordinary musical ability years before his solo breakthrough.
Nicole Scherzinger: Days Of The New (1999)
Before the Pussycat Dolls made her famous, Nicole Scherzinger sang on the rock band Days of the New's second album. Her vocals appeared on several tracks, including "Flight Response." Years later, she became a television personality and acclaimed stage actress, winning major awards for Sunset Boulevard.
Alison Martin, Wikimedia Commons
Ashanti: How We Roll (2001)
Before starring in Coach Carter, Ashanti was building her career through guest appearances. She contributed vocals to Big Pun's posthumously released single "How We Roll." The recording arrived before her massive solo breakthrough in 2002, when her own songs began dominating American radio.
New York City Public Schools Press Office, Wikimedia Commons
Gwen Stefani: South Side (2000)
Before appearing in The Aviator, Gwen Stefani collaborated with Moby on "South Side." Her vocals appeared on the successful single version. Stefani was already famous with No Doubt, but the collaboration showed another side of her musical career before she made her Hollywood film debut.
Screenshot from “South Side,” V2 Records (2000), Enhanced
Gwyneth Paltrow: Everglow (2015)
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow made an unexpected musical appearance on Coldplay's "Everglow." She provided backing vocals for the recording, which appeared on the band's A Head Full of Dreams album. Paltrow was already a Hollywood superstar, making this a surprising case of an established actress entering the recording studio.
Andrea Raffin at http://www.andrearaffin.com, Wikimedia Commons
Jamie Foxx: Focus (2015)
Listeners might not recognize the mysterious male voice on Ariana Grande's hit "Focus," but it belongs to Jamie Foxx. The Oscar-winning actor contributed the distinctive vocal refrain without receiving featured-artist billing. By then, Foxx was already successful in music and movies, making his appearance a playful surprise.
John Bauld from Toronto, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
Katy Perry: Ooh La La (2013)
Britney Spears' "Ooh La La," recorded for The Smurfs 2, contains background vocals from Katy Perry. Perry was already a major pop star and had voiced Smurfette in the animated films. Her contribution was another example of a famous performer appearing discreetly on somebody else's recording.
Charli XCX: Same Old Love (2015)
Before appearing in films and lending her voice to animated characters, Charli XCX helped write Selena Gomez's "Same Old Love." Her backing vocals also appear on the hit recording. Charli was already gaining recognition as a pop performer, but most listeners associated the finished song with Gomez.
Annie Lennox: Step By Step (1996)
Annie Lennox's backing vocals appear on Whitney Houston's "Step by Step," recorded for The Preacher's Wife. Lennox originally wrote and recorded the song herself. Although already internationally famous through Eurythmics and her solo work, her contribution was a hidden surprise on Houston's successful soundtrack single.
Distributed by RCA Records, Wikimedia Commons
Janet Jackson: P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982)
Before becoming one of pop's biggest solo stars, Janet Jackson contributed background vocals to her brother Michael's "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)." Janet was already known through television roles, but her recording career was still developing. The song became another huge success from Michael's Thriller album.
Rich Esteban, Wikimedia Commons
La Toya Jackson: P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982)
Janet wasn't the only Jackson sister appearing on Michael's recording. La Toya Jackson also contributed backing vocals to "P.Y.T." She had already begun her solo recording career, but the family collaboration placed her voice on one of the decade's most recognizable pop albums.
Template:Glória Pires, Wikimedia Commons
Mindy Cohn: P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (1982)
Mindy Cohn, best known for playing Natalie Green on The Facts of Life, claimed in a 2020 interview that she also sang on Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T." However, the published recording credits don't independently confirm her participation. It's an intriguing account from an actress who was already famous at the time.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
The Voices Behind The Stars
Hollywood and the music industry have always shared more talent than audiences realize. Some performers developed their skills singing behind established artists, while others made unexpected guest appearances after finding fame. These recordings offer a fascinating reminder that even familiar stars can have musical credits we've overlooked.
Filipe Vicente / Setor VIP, Wikimedia Commons
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