The Songs We Never Got—And Still Can’t Stop Thinking About
Some collaborations feel inevitable. Others come painfully close, only to fall apart at the last second. Sometimes it’s ego, timing, or just bad luck, but when major artists almost work together and don’t, it creates a kind of musical “what if” that never really goes away. And when it comes to those "what ifs", these are the most legendary collabs that never happened.
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Prince And Michael Jackson
Prince and Michael Jackson almost collaborated on “Bad,” but things fell apart quickly. Prince reportedly didn’t like the opening line about being “your butt is mine,” and the two icons had very different creative instincts. Their rivalry, both subtle and public, made collaboration difficult. What could have been a defining moment instead became one of pop’s most famous near-misses.
Larry Davis, Los Angeles Times, Wikimedia Commons
David Bowie And Elvis Presley
David Bowie once wanted Elvis Presley to record “Golden Years,” even reaching out through Elvis’s management. The idea was ambitious, pairing Bowie’s futuristic sound with Elvis’s legendary voice. Colonel Tom Parker reportedly declined the offer, effectively ending the possibility. It’s one of those collaborations that feels almost surreal just to imagine.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Slash And The Stone Roses
At one point, Slash was considered for involvement with The Stone Roses during their turbulent second-album era. The band was already dealing with internal tension and legal issues, which made any outside collaboration difficult to sustain. The idea of blending Slash’s hard rock style with the Roses’ groove-heavy sound never fully materialized beyond discussions.
LCD Soundsystem And Britney Spears
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem was briefly approached to work with Britney Spears during her late-2000s comeback period. He ultimately declined, later explaining that he wasn’t sure how his style would fit within mainstream pop production. The pairing would have been wildly unexpected, potentially merging indie dance with chart-dominating pop in a completely new way.
rhysadams from Derby, United Kingdom, Wikimedia Commons
Pet Shop Boys And Susan Boyle
The Pet Shop Boys once considered collaborating with Susan Boyle following her sudden rise to fame. The idea would have placed her classical vocal style into their electronic pop framework. Timing and direction ultimately got in the way, and the project never moved forward, leaving behind one of the more unusual “what if” pairings in modern pop.
Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, And Paul McCartney
Miles Davis actively tried to organize a session with Jimi Hendrix and Paul McCartney in the late ’60s. Hendrix was interested, but McCartney never responded to the invitation. Before anything could happen, Hendrix passed away, ending the possibility entirely. The idea of those three musicians working together still feels like one of music’s biggest lost opportunities.
Arctic Monkeys And Girls Aloud
Arctic Monkeys once expressed interest in working with Girls Aloud, partly out of curiosity and partly as a challenge to expectations. The collaboration never progressed beyond the idea stage, likely because of differences in image and musical direction. It remains one of those strange, genre-crossing concepts that could have surprised everyone.
https://www.flickr.com/people/davidcjones/, Wikimedia Commons
Erasure And Kate Bush
Erasure reportedly reached out to Kate Bush about a potential collaboration, but she declined. Known for being highly selective about her projects, Bush has rarely collaborated outside her own creative circle. The contrast between Erasure’s bright synth-pop and Bush’s more theatrical, experimental style makes the missed pairing especially intriguing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcarless/, Wikimedia Commons
Michael Stipe And Kurt Cobain
Michael Stipe once tried to collaborate with Kurt Cobain during a difficult period in Cobain’s life. Stipe even arranged studio time in an effort to get him involved creatively. Cobain never made it to the session, and his death soon after ended the possibility. The attempt now feels like a quiet, almost tragic moment behind the scenes.
Paul Weller And Morrissey
Paul Weller and Morrissey nearly worked together in the early ’90s, a pairing that would have brought together two of Britain’s most distinct voices. The collaboration stalled due to creative differences and conflicting personalities. Given their shared influence on British music, the idea of them recording together still feels like something that should have happened.
Caligvla sur Wikipédia anglais, Wikimedia Commons
Nirvana And R.E.M.
Nirvana and R.E.M. nearly crossed paths creatively in the early ’90s, with Michael Stipe and Kurt Cobain forming a mutual respect. Plans for collaboration were discussed, but Cobain’s declining health and eventual death prevented anything from materializing. Both bands were at pivotal moments, which makes the missed connection feel even more significant.
Michael Jackson And Madonna
Michael Jackson and Madonna, two of the biggest pop stars ever, circled each other creatively but never committed to a full collaboration. They briefly dated and discussed working together, but their strong artistic identities and competing visions made it difficult to find common ground. The idea remains one of pop’s most obvious missed opportunities.
Jack White And The Libertines
Jack White was rumored to have shown interest in working with The Libertines during their early 2000s rise. However, the band’s internal instability, especially Pete Doherty’s struggles, made consistent collaboration difficult. The pairing would have brought together two raw, garage-influenced approaches to rock that rarely intersected.
David Bowie And Kraftwerk
David Bowie was heavily inspired by Kraftwerk during his Berlin era, and there were discussions about working together. While the influence clearly shaped albums like Low and “Heroes”, an actual collaboration never happened. Instead, their connection remained indirect, with Bowie interpreting their sound rather than combining forces directly.
Damon Albarn And Noel Gallagher
Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher defined Britpop’s biggest rivalry through Blur and Oasis. While they eventually reconciled years later, any chance of collaborating during their peak was impossible. The tension between them was part of what drove both bands, making cooperation feel almost unthinkable at the time.
Drew de F Fawkes, Wikimedia Commons
Interpol And Peter Hook
Peter Hook’s bass style helped define Joy Division and New Order, both major influences on Interpol. At one point, there were discussions about collaboration, but nothing came together. The connection remained stylistic rather than direct, leaving fans to imagine how those sounds might have merged.
S. Bollmann, Wikimedia Commons
Pharrell And Michael Jackson
Pharrell worked with countless major artists, but a collaboration with Michael Jackson never happened, despite mutual interest. Timing played a major role, as Jackson’s later career became increasingly unpredictable. Given Pharrell’s production style, the pairing could have led to something completely different from Jackson’s earlier work.
Eurockéennes de Belfort, Wikimedia Commons
Amy Winehouse And Questlove
Questlove has spoken about wanting to work more closely with Amy Winehouse, especially after collaborating in live settings. Winehouse’s struggles and eventual passing cut short what could have been a deeper musical partnership. Their shared appreciation for soul and rhythm made the missed collaboration feel especially natural.
Gregory Gebhardt from Laguna Beach, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Kanye West And Debbie Harry
Kanye West and Debbie Harry briefly discussed working together, blending hip-hop with new wave influences. The idea never moved forward, likely due to timing and differing creative directions. It’s the kind of unexpected pairing that could have produced something completely unique.
Jason Persse, Wikimedia Commons
Salieri And Mozart
Long before modern pop feuds, there was Mozart and Salieri. While often dramatized, their relationship included rivalry and professional tension within Vienna’s music scene. Despite working in the same circles, they never truly collaborated in a meaningful way. The idea of those two composers combining their styles has become more myth than reality.
Joseph Willibrord Mähler, Wikimedia Commons
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