Before You Walk Out My Life Was Written For Toni Braxton But Clive Davis Demanded That It Goes To Singer Monica

One of the biggest R&B hits of the late ’90s almost went to a completely different singer. “Before You Walk Out My Life”, the chart-topping single that cemented Monica’s place in R&B history, was initially written for Toni Braxton. However, music industry heavyweight Clive Davis had other plans.

According to the songwriter SoulShock, Clive personally intervened and insisted the song be recorded by Monica instead. Davis’s message was blunt and unforgettable:

"You will record the song with Monica. And you know why? Because I’m f**king Clive Davis—and you won’t work in this industry if you don’t."

This behind-the-scenes move demonstrates the sheer power Clive Davis wielded in shaping careers. While Toni Braxton was already a superstar, Davis recognized Monica’s potential to dominate the charts and wasn’t willing to let this hit go to someone else. His decision paid off. Monica’s rendition of “Before You Walk Out My Life” became a defining moment in her early career, topping the Billboard R&B charts and reaching #1 on the Hot 100.

The story also highlights how much influence label executives had on music decisions in the ’90s, often dictating which artists would get the songs that could make—or break—their careers. For Monica, it was a career-defining gift, and for Toni Braxton, it was a missed opportunity—but one that didn’t stop her from continuing her reign as an R&B icon.

Ultimately, the song’s journey from being meant for Toni Braxton to becoming Monica’s signature hit serves as a reminder that sometimes, the behind-the-scenes decisions in the music industry are as dramatic as the hits themselves.