Songs from the Year 2003

So last week on Music Thursdays, I presented to you a listing of my favorite songs from the year 2002, as well as other songs that were hits in that particular year. This week, I will recap the songs that made it big in 2003. That year saw a variety of artists make it big on the charts, from rap artists to country to pop. By the way, the majority of the songs being recapped by me during these years fall into the pop or the adult contemporary charts. There may be a few country or R&B crossovers, but they are pretty limited. So here's looking back to 2003 in music.

2003 was the year for Outkast and it's popular anthem "Hey Ya!". The song is super catchy and can easily get you up on your feet. I remember hearing it quite frequently on the radio during its peak. Now I hear it very rarely and truthfully, songs that have a tendency to be overplayed tend to fall off in regards to popularity. And I think the same can be said for "Hey Ya!" I compare it to the song "Who Let the Dog's Out" by Baha Men. It was their one true hit and we haven't heard much from them since. The same can be said for Outkast, who had a few other hits from that particular album, but have fallen off the charts since. But that's the way the music industry tends to go.

3 Doors Down released a new album in 2003 after having a big success with their previous album. On their '03 album "Another 700 Miles" came the hit "Be Without You." It's a song that was ranked as the number three song of the year. 3 Doors Down is definitely a modern-day rock band and it mixes between ballads and upbeat songs, but they definitely give their songs that rock feel. "Be Without You" is definitely one of the most memorable songs to come from that group. Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson began making a name for herself after winning the American Idol crown in 2002. She released the first song from her debut album called "Miss Independent." It proved to be a big hit for Kelly, as it ranked as the fifth biggest song for the year. She was beginning to prove herself to the critics that she truly was the real deal.

Matchbox Twenty had a very popular song in 2003 with "Unwell." It ended up being ranked as the 12th most popular song of the year. And although the groups' songs from the album that "Unwell" came from didn't garner as much critical acclaim as previous songs did, you still heard them on the radio quite often. In addition, Avril Lavigne continued the success she achieved during the previous year when she went on to release the ballad "I'm With You" which ranked as the 15th most popular song of the year. And she didn't stop there, either.

As for other songs which I enjoyed during 2003, they include: "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5, "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer, "Picture" by Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow, "Are You Happy Now" by Michelle Branch, "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" by Jason Mraz, "Clocks" by Coldplay, "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne, "All the Things She Said" by T.A.T.U., "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield, "Headstrong" by Trapt, "Breathe" by Michelle Branch, "Calling All Angels" by Train, and "Bigger Than My Body" by John Mayer, among others. I am sure there are a few songs I missed, but these were ranked within the top 100 songs of 2003. Be sure to check back next week when I may (or may not) review the top songs of 2004.