Best Of 2003: Singles

Ever since the mid-'90s, when Billboard did away with the requirement that a song must be commercially available as a stand-alone single in order to chart, the concept of the single has grown ever muddier. "Singles," as far as I'm concerned, is shorthand for "Songs." I like to keep this list designated as "Singles" as opposed to "Songs," however, because while any song is eligible, including "album tracks" or non-emphasis tracks, I tend to find that the actual singles from an album do stand the test of time best, and therefore it should be no surprise that the majority of the songs here indeed were, um, singles.

1. LIAM LYNCH - United States Of Whatever (S-Curve)
2. OUTKAST - Hey Ya! (Arista)
3. THE ROOTS FEATURING CODY CHESNUTT - The Seed (2.0) (MCA)
4. JUNIOR SENIOR - Move Your Feet (Crunchy Frog/Atlantic)
5. JET - Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Elektra)
6. THE BENS - Bruised (attackedbyplastic.com)
7. KENNA - Freetime (Columbia)
8. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE - Stacy's Mom (S-Curve/Virgin)
9. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Rock Your Body (Jive)
10. LIZ PHAIR - Why Can't I? (Capitol)

11. THE TROUBLE WITH SWEENEY - The Break Up (Burnt Toast Vinyl)
12. HAMELL ON TRIAL - Hail (Righteous Babe)
13. PERNICE BROTHERS - One Foot In The Grave (Ashmont)
14. THE SOUNDS - Mine For Life (New Line/Scratchie)
15. STELLASTARR* - My Coco (RCA)
16. IMA ROBOT - Black Jettas (Virgin)
17. KINGS OF LEON - California Waiting (EP version) (RCA)
18. OUTKAST FEATURING SLEEPY BROWN - The Way You Move (Arista)
19. YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Y Control (Interscope)
20. THE STAR SPANGLES - Which Of The Two Of Us Is Gonna Burn This House Down? (Capitol)

21. THE ALUMINUM GROUP - Motorcycles (Wishing Tree)
22. KEANE - This Is The Last Time (Fierce Panda - U.K. import)
23. RYAN ADAMS - This Is It (Lost Highway)
24. ANJALI - 7 x 8 (Wiiija)
25. PHARRELL FEATURING JAY-Z - Frontin' (Star Trak)
26. ROONEY - I'm A Terrible Person (Geffen)
27. THE RAVEONETTES - That Great Love Sound (Columbia)
28. THE STROKES - I Can't Win (RCA)
29. NO DOUBT - It's My Life (Interscope)
30. MY MORNING JACKET - One Big Holiday (ATO/RCA)

31. JOE JACKSON BAND - Chrome (Restless/Ryko)
32. ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND - Samantha Secret Agent (K)
33. PUFFY AMIYUMI - Tokyo Nights (Bar/None)
34. MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD - We Don't Stop (iMusic)
35. FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE - All Kinds Of Time (S-Curve/Virgin)
36. THE CAESARS - I'm Gonna Kick You Out (Astralwerks)
37. ELECTRIC SIX - Danger! High Voltage (XL/Beggars)
38. 50 CENT - In Da Club (Shady/Interscope)
39. THE CORAL - Dreaming Of You (Columbia)
40. GOLDFRAPP - Black Cherry (Mute)

41. COLDPLAY - Clocks (Royksopp Trembling Heart Mix) (coldplay.com)
42. MACY GRAY FEATURING PHAROAHE MONCH & BECK - It Ain't The Money (Epic)
43. THE STROKES - Meet Me In The Bathroom (RCA)
44. HOT HOT HEAT - Bandages (Sub Pop)
45. THE ATARIS - The Boys Of Summer (Columbia)
46. OVERSEER - Horndog (Columbia)
47. AMY RIGBY - Are We Ever Gonna Have Sex Again? (Signature Sounds)
48. CHUMBAWAMBA - Tubthumping (The Flaming Lips & Dave Fridmann Remix) (Koch)
49. WYCLEF JEAN - Industry (J)
50. BLUR - Crazy Beat (Virgin)

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20 Favorite Reissues/Compilations/Historical Releases Of 2003
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