- Many of you might count me as out dated, but to me, music is something that has to stand the test of time….and not something that just lingers around until the next album is released. * Also my preferences change according to my mood. A same song might not appeal to me as much as it did when I am sad as it did when I was feeling fine. To pick twenty songs as my all time favorites is an extremely difficult task. So what I am going to do is try and give you some songs that I listen under different moods. These songs are merely indicative of my tastes there are many many more that can be put up in this list…. So read along or should I say sing along….
Songs when I am sad
Aae Ajnabi Tu Bhi Kabhi( Dil Se): Ever underestimated the power of love and then on one fine day fell in love with a face in the crowd…not knowing even the name of person… craved to meet that person at least once before you die…? Well this is the theme behind this melodious song, brilliant music as one has come to expect from AR Rahman, wonderful lyrics by Gulzar and smooth voice of Udit Narayan and Mahalakshmi to make it an unforgettable one. Only regret as far as this song is concerned is the fact that it did not feature very prominently in the movie.
Mera Jeevan Kora Kaagaz(Kora Kagaz): Life at times takes you to a place where in you see no past, no present and no future. Life looks blank….as blank as a paper with nothing at all etched on it. A great song which is made immortal by the voice of Kishore, lyrics by M. G. Hashmath, set to tune by Kalyanji Anandji.
Chingari Koi Bhadke(Amar Prem): What do you do when wine makes you thirsty, rain ignites fire, when your garden starts shedding in spring….what do you do when the only hope you have has rendered you hopeless….you can almost feel the pain in Kishore Kumar’s voice, listening to this song by Anand Bhakshi music by RD Burman
Mere Naina Sawan badho(Mehabooba): If there is a haunting melody in pain then it’s this. The tastefully brought to life by the voice of both Lata and Kishore(2 versions), the music is composed by RD Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
Koii jab tumhaaraa hriday tod de(Purab Aur Paschim)Singer: Mukesh Music Director: Kalyanji, Anandji Lyricist: Indeevar A brilliant song that shows to what extent a person can love another. Who else but a true lover would proclaim *“darapan tumhen jab Daraane lage javaanii bhii daaman chhudaane lage tab tum mere paas aanaa priye, meraa sar jhukaa hai jhukaa hii rahega tumhaare liye”
Meri Bheegi bheegi si.(Anamika): This is one song probably any Indian male who understands Hindi and the pain of heart break would have crooned several times over. ** “Aag se natha, Naari se Rishta Kahe man Samajh Na paya…” what more do I say…my choice for the top of the list for songs that elicit sadness. Voice is vintage Kishore again, Music by RD Burman lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Songs when Iam Happy /Romantic
Akhiyon ki Jharokon se(Akhiyon ki Jharokon se): From the movie with the same title is sung by a lesser known singer Hemalata, the music and lyrics is by Ravindra Jain. It’s the lyrics that have made me rate this song this high.
Chura Liya(Yadon ki Barat) Will this song ever go out of fashion….mixed, remixed and then remixed again…a wonderful song that talks about how far lovers can go to prove their love for each other….” * Lahoo jigar ka doonga haseen labon ki lali ko”* Can any woman ask for more from her man…. A duet by Raafi Saab and Asha Bonsle, set to tune by RD Burman and the lyrics is that of Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Ek Ladki ko Dekha(1942 A love story) Well it had to be the magic of Javed Akthar and RD Burman sung by Kumar Sanu. This is one song that can be branded as Sheer Magic. I often wonder if pancham da was alive for some more time, probably we might have had more magic in our life…at least I could do with some more.
Chaudvin Ka Chand ho(Chaudvin Ka Chand) A song that describes feminine beauty or rather should I say worships it. Only a poet with a romantic heart can ever call his lover a “poetic dream”….lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni, music by Ravi, Immortalized by the golden voice of Mohd.Raafi Saab.
Main shaayar to nahiin, magar ai hasiin(Bobby) Singer: Shailendra Singh Music Directors: Laxmikant, Pyarelal Lyricist: Anand Bakshi .Don’t you think that Love knows no logic…. And that it can make a poet out of even a moron like me.?
Jeevan se Bhari(Safar): “* Tasveer banaye kya koi, Kya koi likhe tujpe kavita…rangon chandon me samayegi, Kis tarah se itni sundaratha…*” That’s just the emotion that I am going through. Where on earth will I find words to explain the beauty of this song…? Only one word – NEAT. Sung by Kishore, music by Kalyanji Anandji, Lyrics by Indeevar.
I also love listening to Ghazals and Semi classical songs. I would not spend much time explaining why I Love these, you just need to listen to them once and you will know why.
Tumko dekhaa to ye khayaal aayaa(Saath Saath)Singer: Jagjit Singh Music Director Kuldeep Singh Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Ye daulat bhii le lo, ye shoharat bhii le lo(Aaj) Singers: Jagjit Singh, Chitra Singh Music Director: Jagjit Singh Lyricist: Sudarshan Faakir
Jab deep jale aanaa, jab shaam Dhale aanaa(Chitchor) Singers: Yesudas, Hemlata Music Director(s): Ravindra Jain. This song is a semi classical one.
Honthon se chhuulo tum, meraa geet amar kar do(Prem Geet): Singer: Jagjit Singh Music Director: Jagjit Singh Lyricist(s): Indeevar
Jhukii jhukii si nazar beqaraar hai ki nahiin(Arth) Singer: Jagjit Singh Music Director: Jagjit Singh(thanx to madlalya for the correction)Lyricist: Kaifi Azmi
My all time favourite songs are the three mentioned below.
Main zindagii kaa saath nibhaataa chalaa gayaa(Ham Dono) Singer: Mohammad Raafi Music Director: Jaidev Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi. I won’t call this a sad song I would rather call it a philosophical one. Dev Saabs screen presence is magical and so is Raafi Saabs voice what more do I say.?
Kabhii kabhii mere dil mein, (Kabhi Kabhi) Singer: Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar Music Director: Khaiyyam Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi. Now if there was a song that has really made me addicted to it then this is it. I don’t need to be in any particular mood to enjoy it. A romantic song though, which can be extremely soothing. Mukesh who is known for his sad songs has done a brilliant job with a melody like this.
Ai mere vatan ke logon, zaraa aankh men bhar lo paanii(Non-Film) Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Music Director: C Ramchandra, Lyricist: Pradeep. If you take the Indian out of me I am almost nothing. A song that keeps reminding me that for all the good time I am having listening to some great music is actually a gift from those countless faceless armed men who are guarding my country’s frontiers…. I end this review with a tribute to them
- koii sikh koi jaat maraathaa
koii gurakhaa koi madaraasii
sarahad pe maranevaalaa
har viir thaa bhaaratavaasii