As we come close to the end of 2014, there has been plenty of things going on this year that have left us all with excitement, loss and entertainment. One of the things we enjoy doing is looking back at some of the things that have happened in the past. When we remember a song we used to listen to or even still listen to, it’s weird when we realize how long ago that song came out.

Many of the songs I remember from 10 years ago came out during my high school years. While a lot of the songs grew tiresome to hear after the millionth time, they never fail to bring back a sense of nostalgia when they come on the radio and we hear those same, energetic rhythms we listened to growing up.

Before we give 2014 a send off, and we have plenty of time before that happens, let’s take a look back at the top ten songs that hit the airwaves ten years ago, back in 2004. What are your favorite songs from back then?

Image courtesy of Scott Kirkland/INFevents.com

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10. Yeah!

This song by Usher was released in January of 2004 and was played virtually all day. I remember hearing this song all the time when one of our classmates used to DJ during our lunch breaks. After hearing the song for about a year almost every single day, I began to grow tired of it. However, now when the song comes on, it brings me back to that time in our teenage years when we were growing up. It’s an energetic song that is fun to dance to, regardless of how many times you hear it.

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9. The First Cut Is The Deepest

While Sheryl Crow’s version of this Cat Stevens song came near the end of 2003, it was a hit on the Billboard charts the next year. This song was always on the airwaves and even today, it is a song that you always remember.

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8. Heaven

This Los Lonely Boys song was a hit in 2004, with an energetic beat and a fantastic guitar sound. In the song, it asks the question about heaven and living through the things that go on in the world. Lead singer Henry Garza, whose infant son had passed away from SIDS, wrote the song with his two band mates and brothers.

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7. Naughty Girl

This single by Beyonce was a hit in 2004, proving that she had the star power to stay on top of the charts. From her debut album Dangerously In Love, the song showed Beyonce’s star power as a solo artist after her time with Destiny’s Child. She continues to be a hit today, of course, but this song brings back memories of dancing and singing along with this amazing track.

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6. Toxic

From singer Britney Spears, this was one of the songs that showed Spears stepping into a more sensual role as a performer, when she had previously been seen as a pop princess. This song is one of her biggest hits off of In The Zone and even made an appearance in a season two episode of the show Glee.

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5. White Flag

In 2004, Dido was a hit with her smooth, romantic ballads, including “White Flag,” which spoke of how it felt to be in love and not wanting to stop the feeling. While released in 2003, the song was popular throughout 2004 as well, reaching the Billboard charts for the year.

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4. My Immortal

This song from Evanescence was one of their hit singles in 2004 and it was on the radio all the time. It is a haunting, beautiful song and one you always remember when looking back on some of the music you heard during a particular time.

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3. Numb

This song by Linkin Park was one of the most popular songs in 2004 and it was one of my very favorites. With a great instrumental beginning and harmonizing in the background, the song is energetic and fun to sing along with. “Numb” was at the top of the Billboard charts in February of 2004.

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2. Breakaway

This song was performed at my high school graduation, sending us off on our way into adulthood and freedom reaching our dreams. Kelly Clarkson’s song off her album Breakaway was also featured in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. It was a surprise hit for Clarkson and can still be heard on the radio.

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1. The Reason

Hoobastank’s song “The Reason” was one of their most popular hits and found a peak position on the Billboard Top 100 charts at number 2. As one of the most popular songs of the year, it’s one you always remember when you look back at the music that came from this decade.