A Look Back at the 40 Best Songs of 2003 for Major Y2K Vibes

• Release Date: May 14th, 2003

From the minute 21-year-old Beyoncé Knowles strutted down that alley and asked us if we were ready, it was clear that she was a legend in the making. Twenty years after its release, "Crazy In Love" remains one of Bey's signature anthems and among the greatest songs released during the 2000s. The beginning of something special for sure.

• Release Date: January 7th, 2003

In the summer of 2003 it was hard to not find anybody in the club jamming to "In da Club," and " Go shorty, it's your birthday" became the "cool" thing to say whenever it was someone's birthday—at least in elementary school.

• Release Date: January 27th, 2003

An example of that mid-2000s reggae and dancehall crossover onto the US Billboard charts that we mentioned earlier. Sean Paul certainly had his fair share of hits in the 2000s, and "Get Busy" is among his most notable.

• Release Date: February 3rd, 2003

We weren't crazy—we were just a little impaired for "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty, which was released in February 2003 but became something of a summer smash.

• Release Date: September 23rd, 2002

While this song was officially released in the fall of 2002, its success carried over into 2003. Twenty years later one thing remains clear—we will always still love 3 Doors Down, even when they're gone.

• Release Date: April 14th, 2003

The original version of "Right Thurr" was a banger, but everybody knows the remix was where it was at thanks to Ms. Trina.

• Release Date: April 7th, 2003

Wake me Up! I Can't Wake Up! Save me!!!!

• Release Date: February 18th, 2003

If Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz "Get Low" didn't actually have you gettin low from the window to the wall, then we don't know what to tell you other than you missed out.

• Release Date: November 12th, 2002

Another fall 2002 hit that carried over into 2003, and frankly, one of Kid Rock's greatest hits.

• Release Date: August 3rd, 2003

The beat. The vocals. The video. The dance break. A classic that remains on repeat till this day.

• Release Date: October 28th, 2002

A poignant song considering how much we were (and still are) missing Aaliyah. "Miss You" was released towards the end of October 2002, and continued to have success on the charts into 2003.

• Release Date: December 14th, 2002

Released at the tail end of 2002, Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J's duet "All I Have" remains a memorable slow jam.

• Release Date: March 4th, 2003

50 Cent made the song, and Nate Dogg took the track to the next level per usual.

• Release Date: June 29th, 2003

That time when Nelly, Diddy, and Murphy Lee came together to create a fire track for the Bad Boys II soundtrack.

• Release Date: November 15th, 2002

Thank You to Christina Aguilera for creating one of the most beautiful (no pun intended) songs of all time.

• Release Date: June 16th, 2003

One of the defining songs of summer 2003 that puts you right back in that era every time you hear it.

• Release Date: October 23rd, 2002

Baby turn around and let me see that sexy body go Bump, Bump, Bump! The jam.

• Release Date: November 18th, 2002

There's a reason why this song received a Grammy nomination for "Song of the Year." Avril Lavigne had some massive hits in the 2000s.

• Release Date: April 8th, 2003

Definitely can't forget this summer jam, which was also nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group."

• Release Date: December 16th, 2002

Yet another catchy 2000s track from Ja Rule and Ashanti, which remains a favorite of many.

• Release Date: May 19th, 2003

A timeless single from Ashanti that can fit right in with the songs being released today.

• Release Date: May 12th, 2003

Where is the love was a question that needed to be asked in 2003, and still needs to be asked in 2023 because...where is the love yo? We need much more of it around these parts.

• Release Date: October 28th, 2002

Considered to be one of Eminem's greatest tracks, "Lose Yourself" dropped in the fall of 2002, and reached the peak of its success in 2003.

• Release Date: November 19th, 2002

How you gonna up and leave me now? How you gonna act like that (Shaq singing meme)? The 2003 breakup anthem.

• Release Date: June 3rd, 2003

Before Pharrell was, ya know, the head of Louis Vuitton, he was putting out songs like this. Seeing the clips of him and Jay-Z performing "Frontin'" at one of the Louis Vuitton events was definitely a major nostalgic moment.

• Release Date: March 17th, 2003

Yet another insanely catchy track released from Justin Timberlake's debut Justified.

• Release Date: April 8th, 2003

Missy on the beat. Monica with the vocals. Missy in the back with the background vocals. Perfection.

• Release Date: May 12th, 2003

Lumidee remains a legend for this forever summer anthem that will always be in rotation.

• Release Date: January 21st, 2003

See I just want you, to know that you are really special (Shaq singing meme again). One of Snoop's greatest in our opinion.

• Release Date: April 10th, 2003

Kelly Clarkson won American Idol and hit the ground running. Hit after hit we tell you.

• Release Date: June 9th, 2003

Mya did the damn thing with this song and its accompanying music video.

• Release Date: July 21st, 2003

You got me lifted, shifted, higher than the ceiling. Another jam from 2003.

• Release Date: February 17th, 2003

F*cking classic. Do you hear us? A f*cking classic.

• Release Date: October 19th, 2003

That time Beyoncé gave us the mother of all breakup anthems for the ladies.

• Release Date: August 25th, 2003

The song that was a staple of just about every wedding in 2003 and 2004.

• Release Date: August 19th, 2003

The instructions went like this—when Ludacris moved you moved. And when he told you to stand up, you had to stand up. Just like that.

• Release Date: July 28th, 2003

The good ole days when songs were created that made you tear up. A beautiful track by Nickelback.

• Release Date: August 25th, 2003

The song that still has us shaking it like a polaroid picture. Remember those?

• Release Date: May 7th, 2003

Levi's, Prada, Baby Phat. If you know you know.

• Release Date: November 10th, 2003

The waitress that worked at the coffee shop on 39th and Lennox delivered a pretty catchy song that's still a jam to this day.