Life seems like a dreary journey sometimes, indeed, the latest terror attacks in Mumbai have only served to heighten anxieties and depression levels among us. Then of course, there is the job which burns you out, responsibilities and living upto certain expectations which you set for yourself, and caring about certain people and making time for them. In addition, you are trying to keep your weight under check, eat healthy, look good, and somehow find time to write on mouthshut and read all the reviews and diary posts. I never thought the phrase, "I wish I had more than 24 hours in a day" made sense, but I now realize it makes complete sense.

No, this is not a column about time or stress management, about exercise and weight loss, or about spiritual recourse. This is about music, especially the music you listen to during a break in the office, during commuting, or indeed, when you come back after a hard day's (or night's) work. As some of us may have seen in Jerry Maguire, sometimes, we just feeling like screaming our lungs out, caring not for anything in the world and just being ourselves, being free.

I had in an earlier column mentioned 3 songs which uplift my day, and I would like to recall them and indeed, add a few more... whether you choose to listen to them on your iPod, car audio or indeed, even the local FM radio, these songs are what transport me each time I listen to them, and for a few minutes, make me free from the responsibilities and tensions in the world.

Here is my current list:

1. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi... this song really helped me get over my breakup, and indeed, is the song I have set as my mobile alarm (its a mood booster when you have to wake up at half past 5 in the morning). Soothing and realxing, I have the video of this song on my iPod Nano, and it is just about bubbly enough without being loud or fast... a nice morning number.

2. Aye Bachchu... from Ghajini, sung with a lot of spunk, this is a great driving song, one that makes you want to put your foot down when it comes on the radio... except you can't, not with Bangalore's traffic jams. Still, this song makes me foreget the days worries in my evening commute home... along with another song

3. Socha Hai from Rock On!!... with its somewhat childish, irreverent lyrics and hard tempo, makes me sing along whenever I listen to it. This song, along with Aye Bachchu, have an uplifting tempo, which really lift up my frayed nerves at half past 5 in the evening.

4. Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke... from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi... with its lyrics and tunes mixed from many golden oldies, this is a song which is fun and a bit danceable, but more importantly, like the previous two, does not take itself too seriously. A fun tune.

5. Tum Ho Toh... from Rock On!!, on this list for no apparent reason apart from being one of the most haunting and melodic romantic tunes ever created. And its lyrics are easy to follow, even if I can't quite sing it aloud and match Farhan Akhtar'a amazing highs in the tempo.

6. Jaane Kyun... from Dostana... cool beat, cool song, perfect to listen to on the morning or evening commute, or indeed, at any time! This song is all about feeling good, and the repetition of the lyrics, "I'll be all right" works better than many self help books.

This is not the complete list, but these songs are the ones which come straight to mind and are the most repeated in my playlist these days. I have to add, Bollywood seems to be on a roll with good albums these days, with Dostana, RNBDJ, Yuvraaj and Ghajini... that said, I can't wait for RNBDJ on Dec 12 and Ghajini on Dec 25... I am booking my tickets in advance :)