Mukesh was a very good singer. But I was surprised to know that the prominent music directors like S.D. Burman, O.P Nayyar, C. Ramchandra, Madan Mohan even to some extent Naushad, have not utilized Mukesh so often and regularly. If you add the number of songs composed by the above music directors, the total number will not even cross 60. It is only Shankar-Jaikshan, Roshan, Chitragut, Kalyanji-Anajdaji and Laxmikant-Pyaraelal have nicely used Mukesh. I feel 1967 was a very good year for Mukesh. In this particular year we have so many sweet and melodious songs from Mukesh.
It is a difficult task to select only 20 songs but sorry I have crossed the limit a bit. The songs are as per the year of release.
DIL JALATA HAI TO JALNE DE * “Pehali Nazar”(1945)
Music Director:- Anil Biswas.
When Mukesh came new, he adopted the style of late K.L.Saigal. When you listen to this particular song very first impression you carry that this is the voice of K.L.Saigal. It is obvious because KLSaigal was the idol of Mukesh. I consider this is the one of the best song of Mukesh. I thank Music Director Anil Biswas for introducing Mukesh to the Hindi Film Music.
TU KAHE AGAR, TU KAHE AGAR * “Andaz” (1949)
Music Director:- Naushad.
This is very sweet love song, excellently composed by Naushad. Good song to please your spouse by singing this song. One really has to think after that Naushad/Mukesh combination has given such a wonderful songs in “Mela” and “Andaz”, why Naushad has not used Mukesh after 1949 till “Saathi”(1968).
HUM TUZASE MOHABBAT KARE KE * “Awara”(1951)
Music Director:- Shankar-Jaikishan.
Very nicely written by Hasarat Jaipuri equally well composed by Shankar-Jaikishan. One of the best sad songs of Mukesh.
JINDAGI KHWAB HAI * “Jagate Raho” (1956)
Music Director:- Salil Choudhari.
Superbly written by Shailendra and very well sung by Mukesh. Salil Choudhari’s orchestra is excellent.
SUHANA SAFAR AUR YE MOSAM * “Madhumati”(1958)
Music Director:- Salil Choudhari
Best of Shailendra-Salil Choudhari. Singing in a blue mood Mukesh has justified the song.
SAB KUCHH SIKHA HAMANE * “Anari”(1959)
Music Director:- Shankar-Jaikishan.
What an orchestra. Good lyrics by Shailendra. The perfect song which has good words, outstanding music and off course Mukeshji’s voice. This song has also won the best male singer’s Filmfare Award.
SARANGA TERI YAAD MEIN * “ Saranga” (1960)
Muisc Director:- Sardar Malik.(Father of Anu Malik).
Melodious song. Sarod has been used beautifully. Mukesh at his best. In fact the other song of “Saranga” is also good(Haan Deewana Hoon Mein). This one is my alltime favourite song.
BHOOLI HUYI YAADON * “Sanjog*(1961)
Music Director:- Madan Mohan.
Mukesh has sung hardly 9 to 10 songs with Madan Mohan. Madan Mohan’s best song with Mukesh.
BAHUT DIYA DENE WALE NE TUJHKO * “Surat Aur Seerat” (1961)
Music Director:- Roshan.
Sweet melody from Roshan who has used flute excellently. Mukesh is excellent as usual.
O JANE WALE HO SAKE TO LAUT KE * “Bandini” (1963)
Music Director:- S.D. Burman.
Mukesh/SDB, combination has not given many songs. This particular song, Mukesh has sung on very high pitch. Extremely melodious song.
DOST DOST NA RAHA * “Sangam” (1964)
Music Director:- Shankar-Jaikishan.
Eeverfresh song of Mukesh. Shankar-jaikishan’s orchestra conduction is excellent specially the use of piano.
MAIN TO EK KHWAB HOUN * “Himalay Ki God Main”(1965)
Music Director:- Kalyanji-Anandji.
Excellent melody. Perhaps best of KA with Mukesh.
AAYA HAI MUZE PHIR YAAD WOH JHALIM * “Devar”(1966)
Music Director:- Roshan.
Go on listening to this song you will never be bored. Once again a very sweet melodious song composed by Roshan.
SAJANWA BAIRI HO GAYE HAMAR * “Teesari Kasam”(1966)
Music Director:- Shankar-Jaikshan.
Lyrics Shailendra had produced this picture. Mukesh has sung as many as three songs and all of them are good but this one is my choice. It has good wording, Shankr-Jaikishan’s very good music and Mukesh is excellent as usual.
CHAND KO KYA MALOOM CHAHATA * “Lal Bangala”(1966)
Music Director:- Usha Khanna.
In sixties, during the stiff competition of the hindi film music, Usha Khanna used to composed some excellent songs this is one of them.
TUM BIN JEEVAN KAISE BITA * “Anita”(1967)
Music Director:- Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
This classical based love song is very sweet song; one can just please his spouse by singing the song.
WAQT KARATA JO WAFA * “Dil Ne Pukara”(1967)
Music Director:- Kalyanji-Anandji.
Yet another song in a sad mood from Mukesh. Excellent use of Piano by KA.
CHANDN SA BADAN * “Saraswatichandra”(1967)
Music Director:- Kalyanji-Anandji.
Yet another classical based, very sweet melodious song from Mukesh. KA has used Sitar remarkably well. Lata has also sung this song but I like this version.
OH RE TAAL MILE NADI KE JAL MAIN * “Anokhi Raat”(1967)
Music Director:- Roshan.
Excellent words by Indivar and very well composed by Roshan and overall superbly sung by Mukesh. It was Roshan’s last film and it has all the song very good. This one was the only song of Mukesh.
RAM KARE AISA HO JAYE * “Milan”(1967)
Music Director:- Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Mukesh has sung as many as six songs in this film all of them are excellently composed by Laxmi-Pyare. But this one being LORY I like it most.
HARI HARI VASUNDHARA PE NEELA * “Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti”(1967)
Music Director:- Satish Bhatiya.
If I am asked which is the best song of Mukesh I will vote for this one. Extremely breezing melodious song. This V. Shantaram classic film, Pandit Bharat Vyas has written the lyrics are nicely composed by Satish Bhatiya.
CHAL AKELA CHAL AKELA * “Sambabdh”(1969)
Music Director:- O. P. Nayyar.
As per my knowledge Mukesh has not sung more than 5 songs with O. P. Nayyar. This is a very nicely composed song. Once again breezing melody from Mukesh.
JANE CHALE JATE HAI KAHHAN * “Pushpanjali”(1970)
Music Director:- Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Very sweet song, typical LP style music, with Dholak, excellently sung by Mukesh.
WOH TERE PYAR KA GHAM * “My Love”(1970)
Music Director:- Daan Singh.
Recently Phalguni Pathak has made the re-mix from this song and totally spoiled the song. But the original song, in form of Gazal is nice one.
TARON NE SAJAKE * “Jal Bin Machhli Nrutya Bin Bijli”(1971)
Music Director:- Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
This V.Shantaram classic film has an outstanding music about 6 songs by Lata Mangeshkar. Mukesh has only one solo song that too in western style. Once again good song from Mukehs.
JANE KAHAN GAYE WHO DIN* “Mera Naam Joker”(1971)
Music Director:- Shankar-Jaikshan.
According to me this song is one of the best sad and serious songs of Mukesh. This song is specially composed in ‘Raag Bhairavi’ by Shankar-Jaikishan for Raj Kapoor. It seems Mukesh has used some special voice for this song.