Turn back the clock a few years to the summer of 2003, turn on the radio, and it is the joyful noise of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love," sexy hip hop of Lil' Kim's "Magic Stick," and melodic post-grunge of Matchbox Twenty's "Unwell" that are most likely to come to mind.
This list of the top 10 pop songs of the summer 2003 is based on data from record industry charts from the months of June, July, and August 2003.
1. Beyonce featuring Jay-Z - Crazy in Love
Courtesy Columbia Records
Beyonce dominated the summer of 2003 with her first solo release. It's a joyful expression of the wonders of being in love.
2. Lil' Kim featuring 50 Cent - Magic Stick
Courtesy Atlantic Records
For her first album in 3 years, Lil' Kim played up the sex and gangster image with great success.
3. Matchbox Twenty - Unwell
Courtesy Atlantic Records
Matchbox Twenty continued their winning streak in the summer of 2003 with another slice of melodic grunge-influenced pop-rock.
4. Ashanti - Rock Wit You (Awww Baby)
Courtesy Murder Inc.
Ashanti blasted onto the scene as the primary diva in rap mogul Irv Gotti's Murder, Inc. operation.
5. Chingy - Right Thurr
Courtesy Capitol Records
Reminiscent of Nelly's "Hot in Herre" from the summer of 2002, "Right Thurr" made Chingy a star before his first album was released.
6. Sean Paul - Get Busy
Courtesy Atlantic Records
This powerfully catchy track made dancehall master Sean Paul a pop superstar.
7. Evanescence featuring Paul McCoy - Bring Me to Life
Courtesy Wind-Up
Evanescence blasted onto the pop scene seemingly out of nowhere with this massive hit single. It helped lead to the band's album Fallen selling 14 million copies.
8. Lumidee - Never Leave You - Uh Ooh, Uh Oooh!
Courtesy Universal
Lumidee appears to be on her way to one-hit wonder status. She was 19 when this hit single made her a star in the summer of 2003.
9. Busta Rhymes & Mariah Carey feat. Flipmode Squad - I Know What You Want
Courtesy J Records
This was the second single from Busta's album It Ain't Safe No More. It turned out to be the biggest hit in part due to contributions from Mariah Carey.
10. 50 Cent - P.I.M.P.
Courtesy Aftermath/Interscope
This was the 3rd massive hit from 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' the top debut album of 2003.
