Personally, music whether old or new, cannot be best or better or bad. As long as there is melody, lyrics and most important a good lively voice, any song is great. Consider this - Tum bin jaun kahan has been sung by both Kishore n Rafi but does anyone remember hearing Rafi sing the song? Similarily, Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga is sung by Lata as well as Kumar shanu but does anyone remember Lata? Both Lata & Rafi are technically much better than Shanu or Kishore, but somehow . However, its so difficult to prioritize & put 20 best. U dont know what to choose & what to leave and I have finally left it now. Giving the best 20(+1) which came to my mind. Heres my list(not in order):
Zindagi ka safar hai ye kaisa safar(reportedly also Kishores favourite)
Jane kya dhundti rehti hai ye aankhen mujhme(Rafi)
Zindagi kaisi hai paheli hai(Manna dey)
Ye raat bhigi bhigi(Manna & Lata)
Kashti ka khamosh safar hai shaam bhi hai tanhai bhi(kishore Lata)
Dil aaj Shayar hai Gam aaj nagma hai(Kishore)
Yaad na aaye bitey dino ki(Rafi)
Ae mere pyare watan(Manna Dey)
Chupa lo yun dil me pyar mera ke jaise mandir me lau diye ki(Hemant & Lata)
Tum pukar lo(Hemant)
O mere dil ke chaine(Kishore)
Kaisi hai ye rut ke jisme(Dil Chahta hai)
Jis gali me tera ghar na ho baal ma(Mukesh)
Mera dil bhi kitna paagal hai(Kumar shanu in Saajan)
Na Tum jaano na hum(Lucky ALi)
Kuchh to log kahengey(Kishore)
Jinhe naaz hai hind per wo kahan hai(Rafi)
Ye haasi vadiya ye khula asmaa(Roja with a tremendous background music)
Ore Maajhi mere saajan hai us paar(SD Burman)
Ye mehlen ye takhte ye taajo ki duniya(Rafi for Guru Dutt)
Jaane wo kaise log the jinke(Hemant)