On December 20, 20 2003, Madonna had three titles on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the USA: Me Against The Music, Nobody Knows Me and Nothing Fails.
Madonna was the second artist in 18 years to achieve 3 simultaneous entries on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart (previously achieved by Bronski Beat in 1985).
On November 29 2003, Britney Spears’ Me Against The Music (featuring Madonna) peaked at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA.
Me Against The Music was recorded by Britney Spears and Madonna for Spears’ fourth studio album, In The Zone. It was written by Spears, Madonna, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Thabiso Nikhereanye, Penelope Magnet, Terius Nash and Gary O’Brien.
I always forget this song. Even when it came out I listened to it a few times and then the CD single started to collect dust. When was the last time you listened to Me Against The Music? Do you consider it to be a “hit” for Madonna – or do you pretend it never happened like me? – Jay
On November 26 2003, Madonna appeared on The Tonight Show (with host Jay Leno) at NBC Studios, in Burbank, California.
Madonna handed out gifts to new dad David Letterman when she appeared on the Late Show earlier in the month, and she didn’t want to leave his TV rival Leno out.
“I brought you some Thanksgiving presents.”
Madonna handed the TV host a baseball jersey and a framed illustration from her new children’s book Mr. Peabody’s Apples.
Most odd about this appearance is that Remixed and Revisited was released on November 24 and Madonna never mentioned it. The Nothing Fails single was also released on November 21, and an upcoming single for Love Profusion (December 8) was also never mentioned. Very few artists would skip mentioning new releases in such a high profile interview. It makes me wonder how involved Madonna was with these releases – or if Warner Bros. was forcing the singles and the remix collection to be put out. All Madonna chose to talk about was her marriage to Guy, her father’s winery, her children’s books and Kabbalah.
For the record, I think this is an adorable interaction between Madonna and Jay. She’s funny, sweet and articulate.
On August 23 2003, the Hollywood remixes hit number-one on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the US. It was her 30th single to reach the top of the dance charts.
On May 30 2003, Callaway Editions announced that Madonna would make publishing history as her children’s book, The English Roses, would be released simultaneously worldwide in 30 languages in 100 countries.
The English Roses is a children’s picture book written by Madonna and illustrated by Jeffrey Fulvimari, which later became a series of children’s books by both artists. The books are about the life of five schoolgirls in London and their problems growing up.