In 2004 it was Usher’s world, and we just lived in it. The R&B love balladeer had been building a career since the mid ’90s, but this year’s Confessions sold a cool million units in its first week. Not be outdone, Britney Spears reinvented herself – from Tween Queen to grown-up dance-rocker – with “Toxic.” (The tune did well, but her greatest success was now as a tabloid star.) American Idol became a major force in music, and three of its stars, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, and Clay Aiken, saw chart success this year – and winner Carrie Underwood’s debut sold strongly the following year. Clarkson in particular, having rebuilt her image, from vanilla pop singer to edgey rock artist, enjoyed a high profile this year and next.
100. Hotel, Cassidy and R. Kelly
99. Over And Over, Nelly and Tim McGraw
98. Redneck Woman, Gretchen Wilson
97. Dude, Beenie Man
96. You’ll Think Of Me, Keith Urban
95. Leave (Get Out), JoJo
94. American Soldier, Toby Keith
93. Letters From Home, John Michael Montgomery
92. Sunshine, Lil’ Flip
91. Wanna Get To Know You It, G Unit
90. When The Sun Goes Down, Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker
89. Locked Up, Akon and Styles P.
88. U Should’ve Known, Monica
87. Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Jet
86. Remember When, Alan Jackson
85. Holidae Inn, Chingy, Ludacris, and Snoop Dogg
84. Gigolo, Nick Cannon and R. Kelly
83. F**K It (Don’t Want You Back), Eamon
82. Damn!, YoungBloodZ and Lil’ Jon
81. Southside, Lloyd and Ashanti
80. Stand Up, Ludacris
79. I Go Back, Kenny Chesney
78. Step In The Name Of Love, R. Kelly
77. On The Way Down, Ryan Cabera
76. Get Low, Lil’ Jon and the East Side Boyz