5. The Strokes — “12:51”

Clocking it at a mere two minutes, “12:51” did more with its… 5. The Strokes — “12:51”

Clocking it at a mere two minutes, “12:51” did more with its time than any other rock radio hit last year. Guitarists stroke their patented strokes and slip into a Cars-reminiscent synthetic bounce. Drums tick so mechanically that many falsely assume a drum machine is used. Julian Casablancas bails on a party and decides to “get forties” instead. Badass, Julian, badass.

4. Radiohead — “There There”

“There There” was more than just proof of Radiohead’s ability to continue to make good music. It was proof of Radiohead’s ability to continue to surprise people with the music they make. This song’s melodic beauty, relaxed attitude and emotional poignancy seemed so out of place on the radio last year. That’s why it was good to hear it there.

3. OutKast — “Ghettomusick”

Though Andre 3000’s “Hey Ya” may have stolen the spotlight from nearly every other hit song last year, Big Boi’s “Ghettomusick” was Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’s icebreaker. Entrancing synthesizers roll, soar and lift up the song’s funky chorus line, only to abruptly shift to the sounds of party mingling. And Big Boi announces that he’s “feeling great, feeling good, how are you?”

2. Belle ‘ Sebastian — “Step Into My Office, Baby”

Lyrical role-playing and folksong storytelling have always been Belle ‘ Sebastian’s strong suits. Here we see front man Stuart Murdoch embody a budding office worker whose climb up the corporate latter is a credit to his work ethic in the office as well as in the sack. Over saccharine horns and throwback guitar twangs, the voice of Murdoch’s boss arises: “I want to give you the job/A chance of overtime/Say my place at 9?”

1. R. Kelly — “Ignition (Remix)”

I’ll admit it. This song grew on me faster than suspicion on the Neverland Ranch, largely because of its infectious “bounce,” its “Murder, She Wrote” reference, its “toot toot” and its “beep beep.” No song in 2003 matched the party ardor or the syrupy groove of “Ignition.”