Pharrell Williams has revealed that his hit single 'Happy' was, at least at one point, not destined for his own vocal talents. The 41 year-old singer revealed to Howard Stern that the song he co-wrote was offered to Gnarls Barkley star Cee Lo Green, who apparently did a pretty good job.

Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams Has Revealed That 'Happy' Was Almost Someone Else's Hit.

The Despicable Me 2 official soundtrack song has clung to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 weeks after its release Stern had asked if Pharrell would have ever "given this [song] to a Robin Thicke or someone?" "I actually did, [to] Cee Lo," Williams said. "He sounded amazing on it. I mean, he burns my version!" the singer praised.

Hear Pharrell Williams' Interview With Howard Stern:

However, he added "But the ... how do I say this diplomatically? Um...he...um...The powers that be, at the time, did not see it fit for him. Some folks on his team just felt that the priority should be on [Cee Lo's] album at the time, so they elected not to do that song."

Cee Lo Green
Cee Lo Green Recorded A Version Of 'Happy' But It Wasn't Right For Him.

"There was a much bigger agenda for [Cee Lo], he had an album to put out," Williams claimed. "It's not his fault - he was totally down with it [and] he was one of the most gracious people about it when [Happy] came out."

More: Pharrell Williams bags a Webby Award.

'Happy,' which was released in November, has sold more than 1.3m copies in the UK alone, remarkably topping the singles chart on three separate occasions. Williams will also be casting his eye over a new generation of singing talent as he steps in to replace Green as a judge on The Voice. Green cited his new album as a reason for stepping away from the TV show. His last album, 2012's Magic Moment, peaked at No 167 in the UK.

Pharrell Williams Green Hat
Pharrell Reckons That Green Did A Better Version Of The Top-Selling Song Than Him.

The last year has seen the 40 year-old pop star on a high: he collaborated on last year's top two songs of the summer, 'Blurred Lines' and 'Get Lucky,' has worked on the Amazing Spider-Man 2 score alongside Hans Zimmer and received an Oscar nomination for his chart-smashing Despicable Me 2 song.

More: Pharrell Williams wants to open a fashion emporium in Miami.

More: Cee Lo Green added to V Festival bill with Pixie Lott.

Watch Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' Video: