In the past few days, we all had a blast reading some excellent reviews on 20 worst Hindi songs, 5 worst albums etc etc…but amidst all this trash, every year we do have some decent melodies, melodies that are soulful, infectious, heart-thumping and simply invigorating… and though the number is decreasing year after year, the previous year did have some good melodies for an avid music listener(even though the films sucked big time).
So, ladies and gentlemen, here I present you the top 20 songs, or do I say top 20 melodies of 2002(with many extras) in random order:
*#20: Jaage Jaage Armaan Hain: Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai
#19: Haye Raam and Jaa Sanam Mujhko Hai: Na Tum Jaano Na Hum
#18: Maahi Ve: Kaante
#17: Chupke Se: Saathiya
#16: Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein: Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar
#15: Kabhi Shaam Dhale: Sur
#14: Hum Tum Mile: Shakti
#13: Bardaasht: Humraaz and Sharara Sharara: Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai*
#12:Tune Zindagi Mein Aake: Humraaz
In the pile of all the over-publicized songs of Humraaz lies this immensely beautiful melody which has such thoughtful lyrics that you’ll find yourself pressing the rewind button again and again for those lines…who says good songs aren’t made nowadays. Hear to this one and all your notions will be proven wrong. Alka and Sanu are in full form here and so is Reshammiya’s wonderful music(can’t forget those sweet saxophone and piano sounds in this melody). 5 star once again!
#11:Tumse Kitna Pyaar Hai: Company
This song is not everyone’s fave but there’s this raw feeling about the melody(as in other tunes of Company—Khallas and Ganda Hai) that makes it unique and likeable. Personally I hate Altaf Raja’s voice but in this song, Sandeep Chowtha has used it so wonderfully by combining the techno beats that there’s a lingering feel to the melody! Fabulous yet again!
#10: Sab Kuchch Bhula Diya: Hum Tumhaare Hain Sanam
If I had to give an award for one of the saddest melodies of the year, it would surely be this one. This one’s extremely sad and morbid in parts thanks to the wonderfully crafted instrumentation, fresh and meaningful lyrics(by newcomer Kartik Awasthi) and heart-felt renderations by Sonu Nigam and Sapna Awasthi. If you believe that Bali Brahmabhatt is a bad music director, hear to this one and all your notions will be perceived wrong.
#9: Khoye Khoye Din Hain: Hum Tumhaare Hain Sanam
This fluff melody is all creamy and delicious.Very 80s, extremely infectious and instantly hummable thanks to the cho-chweet lyrics—you can literally feel them! And there’s so much of yearning in the way its been sung by Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Paudwal has sung it.that it just takes your breath away. To add the icing to the cake there’s this wonderful piano solitude ending and of course a brilliantly picturised video on Madhuri and Shahrukh. Simply unforgettable!
#8: Aapke Pyaar Mein: Raaz
Seldom do you come across Nadeem-Shravan’s melodies where Alka is not in her screeching mode.this is one of them. Though the tune reminds one of Kitni Bechain Hoke(Kasoor) at points(thanks to Sameer’s repetitive lyrics), it retains its originality by the low-pitched singing and a steamy video picturised on Malini and Dino. Surely one of the better romantic tunes this year!
Another number worth mentioning here is ‘Shanti Shanti’ from Raaz.I liked this song so much, that in all my letters, comments, emails I finish with the word Shanti!
#7: Sanam Mere Humraaz: Humraaz
One of the biggest hits this year, this number simply sweeps you by its techno beats and some amazingly fresh https://lyrics. The tune goes on to prove that title songs in Abbas Mustan’s films are great hits(remember Baazigar, Ajnabee, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Soldier). Right from the start, the beats, the excellent violin, the near perfect synthesization, some great lyrics(courtesy newcomer Sudhakar Sharma) and irrestible vocals(Kumar Sanu never sounded so energetic, Alka is just the icing on the cake and I can’t forget those sinfully haunting whispers-H-u-m-r-a-a-z in between) make this number an excellent one!
#6: Aa Bhi Jaa: Sur
I am still to hear a bad Lucky Ali song. A gem of a melody this one is. Never before have I come across a more painful ditty on longing. The melody remains with you days after you have heard it, thanks to the haunting violins, excellent vocals(Lucky Ali is like never before and Sunidhi Chauhan never sounded so calm!) and a wonderful tune crafted by M.M. Kreem(I still can’t forget this music director’s Tum Mile from Criminal in 1994)!
Other songs that missed this place from Sur are Jaane Kya Dhoondhta Hai and Tu Dil Ki Khushi…both of them are my favourites as well, but Aa Bhi Jaa is a touch more touching!
#5: Saathiya: Saathiya
Whoever can forget this title song from Saathiya! The best thing about this song is undoubtedly Sonu’s pearl-like vocals.they dominate the whole song! Although the tune is hummable at first, the melody swingers to difficult paths later on thanks to long-winded lines penned by Gulzarsaab. Rehman’s music is best-ever, and he deserves every award he got for the film. Very original!
Two songs struggled to get this position from Saathiya: Humdum and Mera Yaar Milade…I love them both, but I luv the way the title song is sung, hence the choice!
#4: Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka: Devdas
Who says Indian classical music is not hypnotic! I simply can’t stop loving this number for the immense hypnotism it comes with.be it the chanting of chorus, layered orchesterisation or the bewitching vocals of newcomer Shreya Ghosal, this one touches such high scales when it comes to charming, that its almost divine. Nothing more to say, this one’s simply ENCHANTING!
#3: Jaane Dil Mein Kabse Hai Tu: Mujhse Dosti Karoge
A great Valentine number this one is. I love this one for its lyrics which are so unique for a romantic number, the tune is lingering and complements the lyrics completely while Lataji and Udit’s vocals prove to be an icing on the cake.
#2: Yeh Lamha Filhaal Jee Lene De: Filhaal
A musical list is incomplete without Gulzarsaab. And you can only expect the best from him in his daughter’s debut vehicle. Filhaal is one of those albums, where every song impresses with its tune(Anu Malik at its best!), thoughtful lyrics and wonderful vocals. This one holds a special place in my heart because I believe in ‘living for the moment’. How wonderfully this phrase is explained for a full five minutes is there for everyone to hear and feel!
#1: Maar Daala: Devdas
I don’t know why I am still mad over this song. Is it because of the magical Madhuri or because of the music or because of that old-world charm it has.This one simply swept me off my feet when I first heard it. The magical ringing sounds of anklets, the words(‘Maar Daala’ is simply infectious) and powerful yet soulful rendition by Kavita K. Subramaniam were simply the best. This song has it all, and even more.every time I hear it, I find it different from the last time…Ismail’s music is best-ever and Nusrat Badr’s lyrics are lyrical gems(so much meaning…wow!). In all, this one’s the most complete melody churned out in 2002.
*So there I come to an end of another exhaustive review.
I hope after reading this review, you also believe in the fact that good songs are made even today…its just a matter of listening them.
Comments are eagerly awaited…*
