First the traditional Mouthshut line:
It’s really very difficult to choose 20 songs from such a HUGE bank of music. But nevertheless, here is an honest try!
Having said that, let’s get down to my list!
Please note: I have listed these songs according to the impact they had on the music scenario. They may not be great songs, but nevertheless, they made their mark in the industry.
THE gOLDEN ERA
1. Aayega aanewala
This immortal gem is a song that has been haunting me since my childhood. If I am not mistaken(Somebody correct me if I am!), this song was composed by Khemchand Prakash. As a music director, I have this irritating habit of contemplating how I would have treated any song I happen to hear.what I would have added, what I would have removed etc. But this song.it was purrrrfect!
2. Tere Ghar ke Saamne
Honestly, I loved every song in this film. S.D.Burman’s magic worked on my soul with each track of this album.
3. Ye jindagi usiki hain
I was seven when I had just begun to play the keyboard, and I asked my father to buy me a ruby cube(the in-thing in those days). He told me that he did buy me one if I could play the intro-music of this song flawlessly. That day, I earned something much much more than a ruby cube. I added an all-time favourite song to my collection. I particularly liked the antaraa of this song. C.Ramchandra really excelled himself in this evergreen melody.
4. Ae maalik tere bande hum
Apart from being emotionally close to my heart, I have always loved this gem from Vasant Desai as a song that has tremendous depth.
5. Tu pyaar ka saagar hain
One of my all time favourite scores by the duo Shankar Jaikishen, this song really takes my breath away.
6. Ae mere dil kahin aur chal
Another gem by Shankar Jaikishen. Though the version of Talat Mahmood(one of my fave singers) was appreciated more, I somehow felt that Lata’s version was a better one. She was simply superb.
7. Lag jaa gale
Madan Mohan.the maestro! And what a song this one was!
8. Waqt ne kiyaa
A song composed by S.D.Burman, picturised by the maestro Guru Dutt on himself and his find Waheeda Rehman.and sung by the enigmatic voice of Geeta Dutt! What else is ecstasy?
9. Deewana hua baadal
It is not possible that you talk about the best from Hindi music, and leave out the stylish O.P.Nayyar and the evergreen Mohammed Rafi. Just one of the many great songs from this composer-singer pair.
10. Raat akeli hain
Can Asha be away from such a list? The way she emotes through her voice is something no other singer can do! Try this S.D.Burman gem!
11. Hothon pe aisi baat
The intro of this song is just mindblowing. No other word! S.D.Burman really shows you why he ruled the music industry the way he did by this superb song!
THE MIDDLE rAGES
12. Roop tera mastaana
Kishore reached his peak! And the nation got ready to bask in the glory of this golden voice. Another gem from the S.D.Burman unit.
(Yes.KIshore had been singing from much much before! But I feel he was always eclipsed by Rafi and Mukesh, inspite of giving many fantastic songs. But Aradhana made everyone sit up and notice this Khandwa lad.)
13. Aap jaisa koi mere jindagi mein aaye
A song that asserted that disco had arrived. Composed by Biddu(though the film’s music was by Kalyanji Anandji), this song was a milestone in Hindi film music, and earned the first Filfare Award for a non-Indian singer(Nazia Hasan).
14. Chalte Chalte
One of the many songs that proved without doubt that this music director, often accused of blatant copying(which he did) did possess oodles of talent. One of the many gems by Bappi’Xerox’ Lahiri.
15. Mungla
I remember what a rage this song was! Truly a superhit by Rajesh Roshan!
16. My Heart is beating
I do not know if this song qualifies for this category, as it was not a Hindi song. But as it was an important milestone in Hindi Film Music, I am enlisting it here. Composed by Rajesh Roshan. In fact, all the songs from this movie were great(especially Dil kya kare and Bhool gaya sab kuch).
THE MODERN NOTES
17.Pahla Nasha Pahla Khumaar
The youth drooled when this song hit the theatres. Jatin Lalit were the new stars on the horizon.
18. Dil hain chotasa
A.R.Rehman arrived! And what a song to sing in his arrival!
18. Roja jaaneman
Another gem by Rehman in the same album Roja. I liked the Hariharan version better than Balu.
19. Sandese Aate hain
However much I hate Anu Malik, I have to give this one! Yes, it was a great composition.
20. Chappa Chappa Charkha chale
One of the best songs of the last decade. Of course, that’s a personal opinion! Composed by Vishal.
So friends, that is my list. I had to leave out many many songs. Still.that’s it!
PLEASE NOTE: I have purposely and painstakingly(PAIN underlined) avoided any R.D.Burman songs. As I have time and again confirmed, I am an R.D.Burman fanatic, and have learnt and continue to learn from this music giant. I somehow couldn’t bring myself to judge his music on an open forum, as I have always looked up to him as my guru. Suffice to say, that if Panchamda be included, my fave hundred Pancham songs will effortlessly overtake all the above songs in my list! Thanks for reading! And do leave a comment!