These are the top 20 songs from albums released between December 1, 2002 and November 30, 2003 in the United States. As I do every year, I factored in the following criteria when ranking the top songs: originality, composition/arrangement/production, lyrics, catchiness/memorability, energy, emotion.

1. Outkast (Andre 3000) “Hey Ya!” The Love Below
(Arista/La Face)
2. Jane’s Addiction “The Riches” Strays (Capitol)
3. Outkast (Big Boi) “Bowtie” Speakerboxxx (Arista/La Face)
4. R. Kelly “Ignition (Remix)” Chocolate Factory (Jive)
5. AFI “Bleed Black” Sing the Sorrow (Dreamworks)
6. AFI “This Celluiloid Dream” Sing the Sorrow (Dreamworks)
7. Rainer Maria “Ears Ring” Long Knives Drawn (Polyvinyl)
8. AFI “The Leaving Song Pt. II” Sing the Sorrow (Dreamworks)
9. The Coral “Dreaming of You” The Coral (Columbia)
10. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists “The High Party” Hearts of Oak (Lookout!)
11. Jane’s Addiction “Price I Pay” Strays (Capitol)
12. AFI “Paper Airplanes (Makeshift Wings)” Sing the Sorrow (Dreamworks)
13. Outkast (Big Boi) “The Rooster” Speakerboxxx
(Arista/La Face)
14. Nas “Heaven” God’s Son (Columbia)
15. Ms. Dynamite “Put Him Out” A Little Deeper (Interscope)
16. S.T.U.N. “Movement” Evolution of Energy (Geffen)
17. Electric Six “Danger! High Voltage” Fire (XL/Beggars)
18. Murs “The Night Before” The End of the Beginning (Definitive Jux)
19. Common “I am Music” Electric Circus (MCA)
20. Kenna “Red Man” New Sacred Cow (Columbia/Sony