Isn’t that easy to choose the 10 Best among the so many bad songs?
My choice: the list is not in order of preference
Fanaa– Yuva
Additional details: Lyrics were written first
The man behind the music is A.R Rahman. ‘Fanaa’ is electrifying and it has fast tempo rocking beats. The song has no format. There is heavy techno German influence but it’s Rahman. The electronically filtered female vocals with ‘Aao Na’ capture the imagination of the listeners. Rahman shows his breathy vocal range and screams in a melodious way. The echoing resonance adds more to the high energy techno atmosphere. Lyrics are youthful.With a lively chorus supporting the male vocal, the song ends with the maestro showing a techno chanting reprise of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’.
Yeh Dhuan Dhuan- Tumsa Nahin Dekha
Additional Details: Renowned French Pianist Richard Clayderman plays the piano
Richard Clayderman teams up with Nadeem-Shravan for this astonishing melodious piece. Roop Kumar Rathod lends his husky voice. The melancholic piano notes start this one before the musical notes rises to a higher octave. The start is mesmerizing and takes us to a relaxed atmosphere. Violins continue the magical journey and the first interlude is gifted with another sweet ‘piano-violin piece’. Shreya Ghoshal comes to add more warmth to this already uplifting tune. Both singers deliver their romantic best while the saxophone in the second interlude contributes its part. Clayderman plays the piano with a spectacular amount of soul and romance. Imagine the sunsets and some birds flying in the sky, the sea breeze…
Yuh Hi Chala- Swades
Additional Details: Was composed for ‘Lagaan’ but was not used
This one invites you on an acoustic trip in the distinct Rahman way of delivering fresh soulful music. Adding the hip-pop beats with the traditional pop instruments create more energy in the song. The emotive classical vocals coupled with more new age sounds bring it to another level. The guitar chords cautiously advance from higher to lower notes without messing with the basic melody. At least the gritty guitars sound nicer with the electronic orchestrations. Let’s now hope that a remix will not kill these wonderful guitar works and true Rahman beats!
Tum Se Kahen Ya, Hum Na Kahen- Bride and Prejudice
Additional Details: Western Orchestration
It’s not a slow; it’s another peaceful romantic melody. The guitar notes are played crisply. They make the perfect accompaniment to the voices of Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. The beauty lies in its sheer simplicity of Anu Malik’s melody. The singers sing without forcing on their sweet gifted voices. The song progresses with the best orchestrated antras which have touchy arrangements. The deeper meanings of Javed Akhtar’s lines add more. The song is musically crafted from start to finish.
Tere Liye- Veer Zaara
Additional Details: Composed in the 1960’s by Late Madan Mohan
Magical! The opening notes of the piano create the mysterious mood before the voices come to settle the romantic atmosphere. The melody is ever-green. It is heart-wrenchingly lovely. Lataji’s voice takes the forefront. The male vocals express the soul breathings. The music is purely uplifting. Imagine having a walk in the path of red roses which never ends and this peaceful music is playing in the air…
Pyaar Mein Sau Uljhane Hai - Kyun! Ho Gaya Na.
Additional details: One of the most innovative tracks in film music
Isn’t that funny, funky and fabulous? A song which has no pace: these guys are crazy about their singing and do so without any rules. How can a situational song has so much life to it? The different antras are mixed well. No instruments were used but everything was composed by using softwares. Not so easy with such a situational song. Shankar Mahadevan once again amazed us with this composition and singing. The sound design is neat. The lively voices keep you interested till the end and not to mention the ever-changing swinging music. With this song, I declare that S-E-L has arrived. Want to wake up someone in deep sleep? Why not try this song loud?
Chilman Uthegi Nahin- Kisna
Additional Details: Sufi Qawwali
A traditional qawwali so well orchestrated with the western beats. The music is experimental but the voices are not. The background score is massively coordinated to be perfect. The strong harmonium accompaniment and the payal sounds deliver the perfect style for the qawaaali. The traditional Indian instruments used with the classical singing of the singers make this one an unbeatable qawwali. The rhythm and the beautiful tablas playing add more to the authentic Indian sound. Ismail Darbar here amazed me with the musical structure he used for this one.
Nazar Nazar- Fida
Additional details: Stock Tunes
Who has the time to hear songs with complex ragas? How many people are going to get excited and buy these songs? This is why simple formula song always wins. The truly matured voice of Udit Narayan keeps the fast tempo of this Anu Malik’s tune alive and kicking. See how simple tunes can be so humming and pleasing. The whistling is catchy and grows on you after repeated listening. Udit sings in a sense of excitement and gaiety. The musical arrangements help to make it peppy and trendy. See how simple melody clicks. May be you are thinking it is a cheap song. Ask Bhupen Hazarika to compose such simple melodies, we will wait for another 99 years. It is not easy to compose tunes which are simple but yet melodious. Kudos to Anu Malik!
Mathura Nagarpati- Raincoat
Additional Details: Rare composition
Not many of you may have heard this song but I recommend you to have a listen. The piece is in the middle of depressing and meditative. It’s a sweetly melancholy track with an almost unheard chorus which really complements the voice of Shubha Mudgal. There is lot of artistic playing with the beats and background score. The depth of her voice makes the song more touchy and memorable. Dreamy sounds, the rich vocals, the electronic vibes… how such an inspiration behind a melody?
Dil Ko Hazaar Bar– Murder
Additional Details: Unfortunately one of the two only original songs from the movie
The sexy teasy voice of Alisha Chinoi seduces our minds with this stylish song. Anu Malik tries the SD Burman’s type of music with a mystic touch of the 50’s. The tune is simple, original and catchy. The song contains small thriller music pauses. The accordion pieces deliver the old day’s effect. Orchestration is Anu Malik’s best for 2004. The whistling in the second interlude makes this one even better. All the other songs from ‘Murder’ are inspired. Check out my music review for more details and you will be shocked.
Worth mentioning: Yeh Rishta(Meenaxi), Aao Na(Kyun! Ho Gaya Na.), Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na(Musafir), Tere Is(Rog), Yeh Hum Aa Gaye Hai Kaha(Veer-Zaara), Jeene Ke Ishare(Phir Milenge), Suna Suna(Krishna Cottage), Khudahafiz(Yuva), Nazar Aa Raha Hai(Aitraaz), Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli(Masti), Ladki Kyon(Hum Tum), Dilbara(Dhoom) and Tumse Milke Dil Ka Hai(Main Hoon Na).
‘Brief Analysis of the music scene in 2004’ in Comments Section.