The Backstreet Boys have had their harmony vocals wiped from a single they recorded with soul veteran Lionel Richie in case they ended up competing with one of their own songs.
The track, Cinderella, which features on Richie’s forthcoming Renaissance album, was recorded last year, but now the boy band are fearful of going head-to-head with a single from their Black & Blue album. Both artists agreed to remove the vocals.
“I think the single is so strong with them on it, just amazing,” Richie told the Wall Of Sound website. “We custom-tailored it for the Backstreet Boys, but everyone felt it would be suicide for their record.”
Richie said he was confidant the original recording would be heard some day, either as part of a TV special or on a future compilation album.
“It’s just a matter of how do we politically work it out,” he added. “But the good news that happened from that record is my six-year-old son came to me and said, ‘Dad, you’re famous.’ I said, ‘Why would you say that?’ and he said, ‘You know the Backstreet Boys.'”
Richie also hinted that he may reunite with members of his ’70s band The Commodores, possibly as part of the show on his next solo tour. The group, who had huge hits with Three Times A Lady, Sail On and Machine Gun, met up recently at Richie’s mother’s funeral.
