The Top Fifty Favorite Songs Of 2003 - Pt.5

Naturally, it is impossible to make a list that is entirely objective. A year or two ago, I discussed the futility of this exercise (creating a “best of” list) via e-mail with a friend. When he sent out his Top Ten Records of that year, he wrote: “No matter how hard you try, how scientific you get, there is no way to make them definitive. Even if you listen to 5,000 in any given year, there’s always a couple hundred that you haven’t heard, and no amount of last-minute scurrying is going to somehow compensate for months of missed listening.” I will admit that my list is nowhere near comprehensive. There are songs that should be on the list that were not included. There are songs that are ranked too high, others ranked too low. Still, I feel comfortable with saying these are my fifty favorite songs of 2003. I shall end this rambling and present the Top Ten. This is my list. Not yours. And if you don’t like it, then go screw yourself. Better yet, challenge yourself, and compile your own list. And share with others the life-giving songs that moved you.

10. “Miss Teen Wordpower” by The New Pornogrphers
Great pop songs have two things: a great melody and a great hook. “Miss Teen Wordpower” is such an utterly complete and fantastic pop song in that the melody couldn’t be more infectious and the hook couldn’t be huger (delivered by Neko Case with attitude and confidence that drips through your stereo speakers). The New Pornos raison d’etre is sheer unbridled energy channeled through the pop song idiom. This track begins innocently enough with rollicking drums, sweet vintage keys, and the gentle melody. It’s that hook that just propels the song into the stratosphere. The relentless pop attack shreds yer eardrums and moves yer feet.

09. “The Shy Retirer” by Arab Strap
The first second I heard this track; I fell in love with it. Aidan Moffat is known for his psychologically pitiful and sexually filthy lyrics, horribly beautiful vocals, and songs that move at snail’s pace. “The Shy Retirer” finds him stretching out and crafting an infectious, yet brooding, pop masterpiece. Wonderful strings, classic 60s horns, that cheap ass drum machine, and Moffat’s trademark vocals. The lyrics are no less pathetic than to be expected, but more quotable than ever. “You know I’m always moanin’, you jump start my serotonin” is the greatest couplet this side of Stephen Merritt.

08. “Go Ask Yer Dad” by The Tyde
The last minute thirty of this song is so remarkable, that shivers immediately run up and down my spine. The Tyde has melded the melodic tricks of their heroes into their own voice, and this reaches its pinnacle on “Go Ask Yer Dad”. Ric Menck’s (Velvet Crush) drumming serves as the perfect bottom; the proverbial glue holding the song together. The way he moves from hi-hat to crash cymbal on the changes, shoot. Darren Rademaker’s melody is smooth, quietly persistent. Excellent changes, each fitting into the whole of the song like a glove. The thirty-two second instrumental breakdown reflects what happens when a band is on. And I mean on.

07. “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce
From the colossal Jay-Z muggin’ intro to the hook-laden fadeout, Beyonce flaunts her undeniable talent. The song rips a funk, urban R&B, and hip-hop amalgamation with its thick deep beats, 70s horn riffs, and super-catchy melody. This is executed with a hell of a lot more style than Kelis or Ashanti could ever possess.

06. “House Of Jealous Lovers” by The Rapture
Jagged guitars, handclaps, rhythmic cowbell, and funky dance beat open this indie-post-punk-dance-rock track in full effect. The verse gives way to Gang of Four-ish angular guitar riffs, funky bass lines, and Luke Jenner’s Bob Smith cries of “House of jealous lovers!” It’s really nothing new, but when it’s executed this well and this precise, the song transcends derivative. There is nothing stale about the track – it has soul.

05. “Weakest Shade Of Blue” by Pernice Brothers
The track opens with a click of the sticks, then an acoustic and bass guitar pounding away on a single note, setting the stage for Pernice to launch into one of his best melodies. The way “Could it be so wrong, so wrong” falls out his mouth (with Laura Stein’s excellent background vocals serving as the perfect compliment), it’s sublime. The changes are subtle; yet, tug you hard with each occurrence. Pernice’s vocal performance is literally flawless, especially when he takes it up an octave or two and mournfully croons, “Weakest shade of bluuuue.” Unbelievable.

04. “Hey Ya” by Outkast
Talk about setting hip-hop on its ear! Andre3000 crafts the most addictive single of the year. An already respected and innovative rap superstar, he reaches back to the mid-60s and (unconsciously) makes an indie pop song, a daring excursion (this could have really flopped). Everything about this song is right, or is that “ice cold”? The bridge (“Shake it like a Polaroid picture”) is quirky and sexy all at once.

03. “Did I Say” by Teenage Fanclub
This Norman Blake composition is the best song he has ever written. The opening with just piano and Blake’s voice is lovely without being fey or precious. The melody is so simple, that you think it had to be written before … but it hasn’t. The super-quick drum fills that indicate the changes are a brilliant touch. Blake knows not to needlessly extend the song, as it clocks 2:24. Lyrically, it can be a tearjerker given the right circumstances. It’s difficult to put the greatness of this track into words as it succeeds musically, lyrically, and emotionally.

02. “Fish” by Daniel Johnston
While credit has to be given to Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous for creating the sound of “Fish”, it’s still Johnston’s melody and words that form the meat of the tune. The song is unique with no real verse-chorus-verse structure, it alternates between a fuzz bass/keyboard passage then a full-on rock band passage and repeats. As wonderful and as cute as it is heartbreaking, the lyrics are great making this one of the best songs about unrequited love. “Shed a tear like blood on the floor, its only love & nothing more,” sings the courageously sad Johnston.

01. “That Great Love Sound” by The Raveonettes
One word explains this song: huge. Huge guitars, huge hooks, huge drums, huge bass line. Recorded in booming b-flat major, Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner dominate all other songs released this year. This song isn’t great just because of the melody/hooks, but the sound is magnificent: just dirty and raw enough to give it an edge; the lead guitar riff is awesome; the thick fuzz bass rattle is most excellent; the key change is over-the-top exuberant. So entirely simple, so absolutely minimal, it’s mind-boggling that this song could be this good. “That Great Love Sound” is the sickest of the sick; the rockingest of the rock; the best of the rest.