Songs turning 20 in 2023 - from 'Crazy in Love' to 'In Da Club'


Saeed Saeed
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The year 2003 will go down as a significant one in pop music.

It was when Beyonce made the leap from Destiny's Child to solo superstar and Coldplay made their claim to be the next U2.

50 Cent entered the scene with his monster debut single In Da Club while Evanescence added some much-needed class to the nu metal scene.

The garage rock revival was well and truly under way with big songs by The White Stripes and Jet, while Sean Paul brought the feverish sounds of dancehall to the masses.

That year also featured a mixed bag of one-hit wonders, while also proving why Outkast were in a league of their own.

Without further ado, here are 23 songs, arranged in alphabetical order, that turn 20 in 2023.

1. ‘Are You Gonna be My Girl’ by Jet

Such was the hype surrounding the Aussie quartet they were lauded by sections of the rock press as being the new Rolling Stones.

Not a chance, and the group flamed out unspectacularly over the next decade

That said, carried by a propulsive bass line and singer Nic Cester’s banshee wailing, Are You Gonna be My Girl is one of the decade’s best rock tracks.

2. ‘Beautiful’ by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson

After spending a few years in the hip-hop wilderness, rapper Snoop Dogg re-emerged with one of his biggest singles.

Moving away from his taut gangster raps, in Beautiful the veteran artist looks at the bright side of life as he celebrates everything from love and family to survival.

Backed by The Neptunes' percolating summery production, and featuring Pharrell Williams and Charlie Wilson on guest vocals, it went on to be one of the biggest hits of the summer and re-established Snoop Dogg’s credentials as one of the leaders of the pack.

3. 'Bring Me Back to Life' by Evanescence

Looking back at this unexpected hit, the rock world really needed Evanescence.

By the time they released their debut single, the genre was plagued by toxic machismo and nihilistic sounds of the nu metal scene.

While adopting some of the tropes of the genre, such as the inane rapping and choppy guitar riffs, Evanescence still managed to masterfully inject Bring Me Back to Life with some cinematic strings and singer Amy Lee's soprano vocals.

At once fresh and yet familiar, it is a stand-out song from a rock movement best left in the past.

4. ‘Calling All Angels’ by Train

Train never hid from their influences and this hit track is a homage to You Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones.

If you didn't pick that up from the swelling strings and choral vocals in the crescendo, you would have heard it live as Train often fuse both songs together in concerts.

Despite the salute to their heroes, Calling All Angels is a great song with a hymn-like quality as it beckons us to bravely shoulder life's burdens while appreciating the present.

5. 'Can't Stop' by The Red Hot Chili Peppers

In 2003, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were going through their successful yet mellow period, with big albums such as 1999's Californication and 2002's By the Way displaying a welcome deftness and melodic ingenuity.

That said, old-school fans were crying out for the kind of slapping bass and funk sounds of their early years and Can't Stop delivers the goods.

Not only was it a welcome blast from the past, it spent three weeks on top of the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.

6. ‘Clocks’ by Coldplay

One of Coldplay's career-best singles was geared towards their burgeoning US fan base and was only released in the UK in March 2003, four months after it dropped in North America and became a subsequent hit.

That careful marketing approach was not necessary because Clocks is universally brilliant.

It is a supremely polished anthem, while retaining some of the group’s early indie-rock sensibilities.

Clocks marked the beginning of Coldplay’s unstoppable ascent to the pop music summit.

7. ‘Come Undone’ by Robbie Williams

More than his inescapable charm, the secret to Robbie Williams's success is the unabashed honesty coursing through his work.

Come Undone is not only the kind of epic pop-rock anthem Oasis would have killed for, but the acerbic lyrics are also a diary of an artist disillusioned by fame and whose life is spiralling out of control.

This is best reflected in the song’s bridge in which William’s dryly states: “Do another interview/Sing a bunch of lies/Tell about celebrities that I despise/And sing love songs/We sing love songs/So sincere”.

8. ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyonce, featuring Jay Z

Talk about a new beginning.

For her debut solo single, Beyonce needed an impactful song to signal her new career step was indeed a fresh start.

Carried by swaggering horns, barrelling percussion and some swift wordplay from rapper and soon-to-be husband Jay Z, Crazy in Love was a monster single and dwarfs the tightly coiled RnB sounds of Beyonce’s former group, Destiny's Child.

Twenty years on and it’s still a stone-cold classic.

9. ‘Fast Food Song’ by the Fast Food Rockers

Why this song ever became a UK hit remains a mystery.

Formed after meeting at a fast-food convention, the band The Fast Food Rockers went on to release one album called It's Never Easy Being Cheesy.

Lead single Fast Food Song is basically a list of popular fast food chains sung over cheap dance production.

It may have been cheeky at the time, but today it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

10. ‘Here without You’ by 3 Doors Down

The kind of power ballad we thought was left behind in the 1980s.

Then again, middle-of-the-road US rockers 3 Doors Down were seemingly never ones to be aware of modern trends.

Here Without You works because the group gives it the full treatment. It has the impassioned vocals, a string section and an epic chorus that’s memorable despite your better judgement.

Fair play, boys.

11. ‘Hey Ya’ by Outkast

Two decades on and this track still feels as fresh and vibrant as ever.

It also remains one of the most experimental pop hits of modern times because of its obtuse arrangements, spasmodic vocals and a thrilling dance breakdown featuring the classic refrain "shake it like a Polaroid picture".

Brazen and brilliant, Hey Ya is that rare hit that is both a dance floor filler yet difficult to sing along to.

12. 'I'm With You' by Avril Lavigne

Coming on the back of her pop-punk anthem Sk8er Boy, Lavigne wanted to show she was more than just a snarling teen.

I'm With You is an understated power ballad with Lavigne delivering a poised vocal performance.

A US chart topper and international hit, the song established that Lavigne has as much appeal with the young as with the old.

13. ‘Faint’ by Linkin’ Park

With Faint, Linkin Park all but mastered their formula.

The track features the standard intro of DJ scratches, soft verse and a roaring chorus underscored by crunchy guitars.

This should have sounded tedious by now, but Linkin’ Park delivers it with such conviction that we can’t help but want more.

14. ‘Fighter’ by Christina Aguilera

With fourth album Stripped, the US pop star Christina Aguilera penned some of her most emotionally vulnerable lyrics to date.

The centrepiece were the two big singles, Beautiful and Fighter.

The rock approach of the latter is the yang to the tender balladry of Beautiful.

With Aguilera's vocals sounding as fierce as ever, Fighter joins Destiny's Child Survivor (2001) as being one of the defining female empowerment anthems of the decade.

15. ‘Get Busy’ by Sean Paul

A key track playing a huge part in ushering dance hall to the mainstream.

Built upon one of the genre's most popular rhythm arrangements, known as the the Diwali Riddim, Jamaican star Sean Paul laces Get Busy with swaggering raps and a honey-eyed croon that propelled the track and his career to global fame.

16. ‘In Da Club’ by 50 Cent

The buzz surrounding Dr Dre and Eminem's new protege reached fever pitch by the time 50 Cent released his debut single.

Receiving a record deal for a reported $1 million — whopping in those days — the New York rapper fulfilled his promise with a track igniting a new renaissance for gangsta rap.

50 Cent exudes charm and menace in an ode to the kind of partying leaving you worse for wear.

Reflecting on the heady period surrounding the song’s release, the rapper described to The National what an ubiquitous presence he was at the time.

“My core audience were in college in their heyday in 2003, when they used to party at every possible moment,” he said.

“So they couldn't party without me. There was no way you could escape me."

17. ‘Milkshake’ by Kelis

It would be unfair to describe US singer Kelis as a one-hit wonder (she scored a minor hit in 2009 with blazing track Caught Out There), but such was the popularity and pop culture effect of Milkshake that it drowned her other work.

Once again, the Pharrell Williams-led production crew The Neptunes — who were seemingly everywhere at the time — provide adventurous electro-tinged production for Kelis to wax metaphorical lyrical gems on the uses of the popular dairy drink.

18. 'Rock Your Body' by Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake never hid his love of vintage RnB and funk.

Rock Your Body is the clearest channelling of twin musical heroes Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

The rhythmical vocals and crystalline falsetto pay tribute to the former while the Wonder effect is found in the clavichord-sounding synthesisers provided by The Neptunes.

The third straight hit single from debut album Justified, Rock Your Body had Timberlake on his way to becoming crowned as the new prince of pop.

19. ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes

Released during the peak of the garage rock revival, Seven Nation Army propelled the White Stripes to arena status.

It also shows the power of a great guitar riff, such as the one opening the song. Such is its potency that the melody is now a popular crowd chant at sporting events.

20. ‘Slow’ by Kylie Minogue

Elegant, minimal and sensual, this Kylie Minogue tune is a masterclass of studied tension.

Minogue's breathy vocals and atmospheric synths capture the excitement and danger of a night spent clubbing.

21. ‘Stacy's Mom’ by Fountains of Wayne

A bittersweet achievement for the power-pop maestros.

By this time, New York group Fountains of Wayne had been releasing excellent albums for the best part of a decade to a small and dedicated audience.

The success of Stacey's Mom was supposed to inspire a new fan base to hear their great catalogue.

Sadly, they stuck to this fun and zippy track and moved on, thus rendering the group to one-hit wonder status.

Then again, if you are going to be largely known for one song then Stacey's Mom, with its funny video starring Rachel Hunter, is not bad deal at all.

22. 'Times Like These' by Foo Fighters

A much-needed ray of sunshine from the Foo Fighters' dark fourth album One by One.

From the jangly guitars to the towering chorus imploring us to fight another day, Times Like These joins Learn to Fly and My Hero as one of the band's most life-affirming tracks.

23. ‘Where is the Love?’ by Black Eyed Peas

Talk about making an impression.

In what was the first Black Eyed Peas single featuring former member Fergie, you can see the impact of the singer's inclusion into the hip-hop crew.

Her powerful vocals allowed the Black Eyed Peas to expand to take on more pop and dance sounds.

The anthemic Where is the Love was the beginning of a wildly successful chapter for the popular group.

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Read more

20 songs that turn 20 in 2020: from Coldplay to Creed and Britney to Baha Men

21 songs that turn 20 in 2021: from Destiny's Child and Jennifer Lopez to Shakira and Kylie Minogue

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Results:

Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Florida: The critical Sunshine State

Though mostly conservative, Florida is usually always “close” in presidential elections. In most elections, the candidate that wins the Sunshine State almost always wins the election, as evidenced in 2016 when Trump took Florida, a state which has not had a democratic governor since 1991. 

Joe Biden’s campaign has spent $100 million there to turn things around, understandable given the state’s crucial 29 electoral votes.

In 2016, Mr Trump’s democratic rival Hillary Clinton paid frequent visits to Florida though analysts concluded that she failed to appeal towards middle-class voters, whom Barack Obama won over in the previous election.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

About Seez

Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017  

Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer

Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon 

Sector:  Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing

Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed

Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A 

Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds 

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Fixtures

Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA

Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland

Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland

Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA

Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland

Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland

Note: All matches start at 10am, admission is free

It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times

If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.

A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.

The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.

In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.

The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.

Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.

Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.

“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.

The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.

“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.

“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”

Results

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m

Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.

6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m

Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m

Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m

Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Recent winners

2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)

2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)

2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)

2007 Grace Bijjani  (Mexico)

2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)

2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)

2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)

2011 Maria Farah (Canada)

2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)

2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)              

2014 Lia Saad  (UAE)

2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)

2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)

2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)

2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

Updated: January 07, 2023, 11:26 AM`