Cover SZA performs ‘Big Boys’, one of our list of unreleased tracks, on Saturday Night Live (Photo: SNL)
SZA performs ‘Big Boys’, one of our list of unreleased tracks, on Saturday Night Live (Photo: SNL)
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Here are some unreleased tracks that you might not even know exist
Somewhere in the trenches of Spotify are playlists filled with cryptic track names, disguised as podcast episodes rather than officially released songs. There’s almost one for every artist you know: Lana del Rey, SZA, Lady Gaga—you name it.
On a more personal note, I know people who feel a sense of regret and intrigue in hearing songs that, despite being half-finished and roughly produced, are undeniably catchy. It’s both frustrating and fascinating to see these unrealised works in the shadows, like a little open secret for those in the know, quietly passed around for the simple joy of entertainment.
In the music industry, the reasons are rarely straightforward. Perhaps the song was only ever intended as a demo for another artist, or it was later sold to a different label. Sometimes it’s down to creative redirection, executive decisions, hurdles in copyright or simply a case of timing gone awry. Occasionally, it’s just a misfire.
In this article, we list some of the promising ones and why we think they would have dominated the charts.
In case you missed it: The Rise of P-pop: How today’s generation of artists pushed Filipino music forward
Lady Gaga - ‘Nothing on (But The Radio)’
Written by Billy Steinberg and Josh Alexander, Nothing on But The Radio was initially recorded by Lady Gaga in 2010 while she was filling up the tracks for her third studio album Born This Way.
The song found its way to artist Addison Rae whose demo was leaked on social media in 2022. The music was officially released later on in August 2023 as part of her debut EP.
More from Tatler: Mid-year review: the best pop albums of 2025
SZA - Big Boys
Above SZA performs ‘Big Boys’ on Saturday Night Live
If you were anywhere near social media in December 2022, chances are you caught wind of SZA’s Big Boys, or as the internet has dubbed it, ‘cuffing season song’. The track was performed during her appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she took the stage alongside Keke Palmer, Ego Nwodim, Punkie Johnson and Cecily Strong.
What immediately drew listeners in was how unmistakably “SZA” it sounded: it’s sultry, expressive and an instant hit. So, it came as a surprise to many fans that the song didn’t appear on her SOS album, which was released around the same time.
Lana del Rey - ‘TV in Black and White’
Lana Del Rey has no shortage of beautifully-written unreleased tracks, but TV in Black and White arguably tops the list. Rumoured to have been recorded in 2011 and leaked online in June 2013, it’s widely believed to be her first collaboration with longtime producer Rick Nowels.
Also known by the alternate title Living Without You, the track was reportedly considered for the B-side of her debut album Born to Die, though it ultimately didn’t make the final tracklist.
See also: New music Monday: recently released hits from your favourite song artists
Ariana Grande - ‘Fantasize’
Ariana Grande has clarified that her track Fantasize was never meant to be taken seriously—it was a playful parody, inspired by the sound and attitude of girl groups in the Nineties. Originally titled Just Ain’t Me, the song was written for a scrapped Seth MacFarlane project.
When the track leaked in June 2025, fans were intrigued, but the artist was less than thrilled. She expressed frustration, noting that it didn’t represent her or her current artistry. In response, she channelled her energy into creating something stronger: the boy is mine, which was part of her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine.
Charli XCX - ‘Red Lights’
Very little is known about Charli XCX’s Red Lights, aside from the fact that it’s an unofficial, unreleased track attributed to the artist. The sound is unmistakably hers: a funky, infectious bop built around the repeated lyric “dancing in the red lights,” delivered with her signature edge.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
