Here are my top ten Evergreen/Classic albums
1) Barsaat(1949)
Shankar-Jaikishen scored with flying colours with this amazing soundtrack! To be honest, I believe this was the first Bollywood soundtrack to make it big in the music market. Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar hit the gold with this album, that put them in the top contender. Raj Kapoor always had a ears for good music!
Overall album rating: 10/10
2) Awaara(1951)
Raj Kapoor and Shankar-Jaikishan works again with Awaara. This was the film that put Indian cinema on its world map. Well, the music of film, upto this day is being loved by many fans. Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar are surely at their best in this classic album.
Overall album rating: 9.5/10
3) Madhumati(1958)
Salil Chowdhary best album till date with this Bimal Roy classic. This was bound to be in my top list. Every song from this album is great, no wondery why they say’Old is Gold’.
Overall album rating: 10/10
4) Mughal-E-Azam(1960)
Naushad is simply of one of India’s greatest music directors. He had so many great albums, and Mughal-E-Azam stands to be one of them. Naushad knew he had to make a classic album, in this classic film. And definitely, he succeed with flying colours.
Overall album rating: 10/10
5) Sangam(1964)
I believe the Raj Kapoor and Shankar Jaikishan combination is the best that India has ever seen. It always seems Shankar Jaikishan gives their best for a Raj Kapoor film. Every song from Sangam is classic, and endured by fans all ages.
Overall album rating: 10/10
6) Saraswatichandra(1967)
Kalyanji-Anandji best album till date. No wonder why they won a National Award for this excellent album. Enough said!
Overall album rating: 9.5/10
7) Teesri Manzil(1967)
RD Burman deifintely hit all the right notes with this western-type classic inidan album. With this album, it started the RD Burman - Nasir Hussain combination. But this album remains the best till date. Bravo RD Burman.
Overall album rating: 10/10
8) Aradhana(1969)
SD Burman has given us so many fantastic album. But Aradhana remains an evergreen album to many. Ask people to list their favorite 25 songs from Bollywood, I can probably guarantee you, two songs will be from Aradhana. This is how great this album is.
Overall album rating: 9.5/10
9) Mera Naam Joker(1971)
Again, the RajKapoor - Shankar Jaikishan combination has worked once again, however it wsa their last album together. But this album remains a classic, and their tunes are truly outstanding.
Overall album rating: 9/10
10) Pakeezah(1972)
Meena Kumari last film, and it remains her most immortal film till date. Ghulam Mohammed best album is from this classic film. So many great songs from this film, its hard to decide which is the best song.
Overall album rating: 10/10
11) Bobby(1973)
Laximant-Pyarelal - Raj Kapoor combination worked magic in their first album. And it was a huge among the crowds of all ages. As a matter of fact, I believe Bobby is the best-selling album of the 1970s. Truly an evergreen album.
Overall album rating: 9.5/10
12) Laila Majnu(1976)
Madan Mohan is one of India’s gifted music director. Every album he has done has his special touch into it. Laila Majnu, to me, is one of Bollywood most underrated album. This album has so many evergreen songs, that it was a shame it wasn’t nominated for Best Music.
Overall album rating: 9/10
13) Kabhi Kabhie(1976)
After Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra is a director who always has good music. Kabhi Kabhie remains Yash Chopra best musical album till date, plus still the number one favourite Indian song is from this movie.
Overall album rating: 9.5 / 10
14) Muqaddar Ka Sikandar(1978)
Kalyanji-Anandji scored once again in this Bollywood classic. So many great songs from this album, and hardly album like this doesn’t come now in Bollywood!
Overall album rating: 9/10
15) Ek Duje Ke Liye(1981)
Laxmikant-Pyarelel definitely strike back on this album that enabled them to the top spot. So many memorable, that had tamil actor Kamal Hassan dancing to the tunes. Simply a high class album for all music lovers.
Overall album rating: 10/10
16) Silsila(1981)
Shiv-Hari and Yash Chopra was a unique combination and their first album stroke gold in the music sales. Once again, this album proves that Yash Chopra is one director who always have top notch music in his film.
Overall album rating: 9.5/10
17) Maine Pyar Kiya(1989)
Raam-Laxman first Indian album(I believe) was the top selling in the 1980s, and that’s achievement. So many great tunes, so many classic songs, that’s all we ask for as an audience.
Overall album rating: 10/10
18) Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge(1995)
Jatin-Lalit had so many great albums, but they’ll always be remembered for this album. 7 great songs, and 7 unbelievable evergreen album. Yash Chopra knows the true worth of melody and lyrics, and with this album, it truly proves it!
Overall album rating: 10/10
19) Refugee(2000)
I’m never a true fan of Anu Malik in the past, but when Refugee came out, he changed my view on him. Simply superb album with unforgettable tunes. Anu Malik shows he’s a creative music director. Those who have written off in the past, had shut up after this album.
Overall album rating: 9/10
20) Tere Naam(2003) I simply love this album. Himesh Reshammiya truly knows the true worth of music. Each song is special in its own aspect! He simply robbed from this album. The thing that wsa so amazing in this soundtrack was variety, each song was different and plays a purpose in the movie!
Overall album rating: 9.5/10