In a new interview with MTV News, the surviving members of TLC reveal why they passed on "... Baby One More Time," the song that launched then-16-year-old Britney Spears' career.


"I was like, I like the song but do I think it's a hit? Do I think it's TLC? I'm not saying 'hit me baby,'" T-Boz said. "No disrespect to Britney. It's good for her. But was I going to say 'hit me baby one more time'? Hell no!"


The single remains Britney's biggest hit to date. Written by Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, the tune was popularized by an infamously sexed up music video of the teenage singer in a schoolgirl outfit. TRL named the "... Baby One More Time" its most iconic video of all time during its final episode.


Spears herself would later pass on a song that bolstered another singer's career. When she decided not to record "Umbrella," a young Rihanna scooped up the single and reignited a floundering career with it.




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  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Fergie did some shopping for son Axl in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Oct. 17.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Nikki Reed and her singer husband Paul McDonald visited Trader Joes in Studio City on Oct. 17.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Debra Messing had a "Will & Grace" reunion at NBC Studios in New York City during an appearance on "The Today Show" on Oct. 17.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jessica Simpson and her fiance Eric Johnson enjoyed the sights of Capri, Italy on Oct. 17.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Amanda Seyfried and her boyfriend Justin Long took their dogs for a walk in New York City on Oct. 17.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kourtney Kardashian rocked short shorts as she took Penelope to a Mommy & Me class in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 16.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Ashley Benson rocked torn up jeans while out and about in Santa Monica, Calif., on Oct. 16.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Nicole Scherzinger visited "Celeb Juice" in London on Oct. 16.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Eva Longoria grabbed some coffee in Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 16.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    "Homeland" star Damian Lewis and his wife Helen McCrory arrived at the Service to Celebrate the Harvest for the British Food Fortnight at Westminster Abbey in London on Oct. 16.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Carey Mulligan attended the screening of "Inside Llewyn Davis" during the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 15 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Elijah Wood attended a photocall with Producers Adrian Guerra and Rodrigo Cortes and director Eugenio Mira for "Grand Piano" at Telefonica Gran Via Store in Madrid on Oct. 15.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Cher looked glamorous in embellished sunglasses and a leather jacket as she left the BBC Radio One Studio after an interview on Oct. 15 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Charlie Hunnam filmed scenes on the set of "Sons Of Anarchy" in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 14. He recently left his role in "Fifty Shades of Grey" due to his intense TV schedule.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kris and Kylie Jenner were seen walking back to their car after having lunch in Calabasas, Calif., on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Cara Delevingne was spotted during her photoshoot for DKNY in Times Square, New York City on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kate Winslet attended the Mayfair Gala European premiere of "Labor Day" during the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 14. The pregnant star wore a Jennie Packham dress and De Beers jewelry.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Britney Spears was all smiles as she visited Capital FM Radio in London, England on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Diet Pepsi spokesperson Sofia Vergara flaunted her fandom at a football viewing party held at a friend's house in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 13.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jessica Simpson and fiance Eric Johnson departed on a flight at LAX airport in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 13.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Snooki and Cheryl Burke went out and about in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 11.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Sandra Bullock arrived for the premiere of her new film "Gravity" at the 57th BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Khloe Kardashian supported Kenny 'Babyface' Edwards as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    "Grey's Anatomy" actress Sandra Oh stopped by the ABC studios to appear on "Good Morning America" on Oct. 10 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kelly Clarkson attended the American Music Awards Nominees Announcement at BB King's Club in New York City on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    "Rent" co-stars Rosario Dawson and Taye Diggs attended the Men's Health 25th anniversary celebration at Isola, Mondrian Soho Hotel on Oct. 9 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Hayden Panettiere showed off her huge diamond engagement ring as she returned to the Trump Soho Hotel on October 9 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kris Jenner flashed a big smile as she left an office building in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 9, the day after announcing her separation from husband Bruce Jenner.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson posed at the European premiere of "Captain Phillips" on the opening night of the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 9 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    A sparkling Kate Hudson shined in a disco ball broken glass dress for a photo shoot in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Miley Cyrus signed copies of her CD "Bangerz" at Planet Hollywood in New York City Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Lea Michele met Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison of "Glee" for lunch at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jessica Alba was seen outside Breakfast Television and the CBC building, promoting her 'The Honest Company' baby products in Toronto on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jude Law signed autographs for fans outside the BBC Radio One studios on Oct. 8 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Molly Sims picked up designer fall fashions at T.J.Maxx in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Abbie Cornish attended the MIPCOM party during MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes, France on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Stacy Keibler hit the road on the Can-Am Spyder, celebrating with an early birthday ride in the open air in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Khloe Kardashian and Rapper The Game arrived at Tru Night Club in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Zooey Deschanel filmed a scene on the beach for her hit show "The New Girl" in Malibu, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Hilary Swank and her boyfriend Laurent Fleury were seen holding hands after a tennis practice in a local park by the Hudson River in Downtown, Manhattan on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jackie Chan and Nicole Kidman attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Huading Awards on Oct. 7 in Macao, China.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Miley Cyrus performs live on NBC's "Today" show in Rockefeller Center on October 7, 2013 in New York City




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Selena Gomez stopped to get some gas before heading to a dance studio in Tarzana, Calif., on Oct. 6.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Keith Urban announced the world premiere of The URBAN Guitar Collection -- debuting live on HSN Nov. 3 -- on Oct. 4 in Tampa, Fla.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley looked smitten after lunch at Bubby's restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, on Oct. 4.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf filmed their new movie 'Fury' in Oxfordshire, England on October 4.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kim Kardashian posted a photo on Oct. 4 of her daughter, North, who is almost four months old.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Newly engaged Naya Rivera attended the Latina Magazine 'Hollywood Hot List' party at The Redbury Hotel in Hollywood on Oct. 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Controversial celebrity photographer Terry Richardson released a series of risque photos of Miley Cyrus on Oct. 3. In them, Cyrus is seen licking a mirror, smoking, and stripping.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Penelope Cruz stunned at a special screening of "The Counselor" at Odeon West End in London on October 3, just two and a half months after welcoming baby girl Luna.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Christina Milian looked beautiful as she stepped out for dinner in West Hollywood, Oct. 3.