Honestly, it was much more difficult to choose 20 songs sung by Sonu Nigam than composing a song for Sonu Nigam, myself. I have chosen the first 16 as the hardest songs, technically. The remaining songs are simple but sung extra ordinarily by him. The songs listed under are the blend of mind blowing singing, and enthralling expression. I have tried to give my brief perspective in the first 12 songs only, possibly because of shortage of space and I was also short of words for him:
AYE CHAND TERI CHANDNI KI QASAM(TERA JADDO CHAL GAYA) – This song is a Ismail Darbaar special with the great combination of so many ragas, that beautifully changes from one to another. This particular song showed the voice quality, control, versatility, and the great softness in the voice of Sonu Nigam. This song could only be sung by Sonu Nigam in the time it got composed, I can see nobody doing that clearly and purely, not even Shankar Mahadevan, surely. Sonu is a kind of a package that serves every minute desire of music.
MERA RANG DE BASANTI(THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH) – This uses the same lyrics used in the mukhda in Manoj Kumar’s film – Shaheed, sung by Mohd. Rafi. But the song has deliberately(I suppose) been made tough by A.R. Rehman adding classical notes to it and that becomes the punching and striking point of the song. Sonu has given every mudki(curls and curves) so minutely and legibly that any body who knows little bit of music would appreciate.
SAATHHIYA SAATHHIYA(SAATHHIYA)– The lyrics used in this song is so tough that poets of the Sameer and company’s caliber, would faint down just by pronouncing them. Gulzar is using his pen in such a manner that keeps too much away from not only the yesteryears, but also from the recent poets. I must rather say that if we keep Javed Akhtar aside, Gulzar is very much capable of keeping all others unemployed, only by his work. As far as the tune is concerned, A. R. Rehman proved again that for him to compose a classical and commercial song is a child’s play. Sonu Nigam is as particular about each note as an honest child is to his loving mother.
SANDESE AANTEIN HAI(BORDER)– Along with Roop Kumar Rathod, the song is so beautifully composed by Anu Malik that it bring tears to one’s eyes just by listening to it. Especially, when the part of the song where the rhythm slows down. The song has got the quality for being remembered for ages.
SARFAROSHI KI TAMANNA(THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH)– A slow started and when it gets fast it makes your heart beat faster with excitement. It is yet another combination of A.R. Rehman and Sonu, along with A. Hariharan. I am sure there are very few Indians have not heard this song as it has been such a great hit.
TANHA RAHI(BOSE)– This song didn’t get its due popularity possibly because of its improper publicity. It is based on a popular Bengali song written and composed by the Nobel Prize winner Rabindronathh Thakur(that is the actual way pronouncing the name), called Jodi tor daak shuney keu na ashay taube aikla chaulo re . This portion of the song means that if after having heard your voice nobody does come forward, then move along alone. This portion has been included in the song and is sung by the current popular singer of Bengal, Nochiketa Chaukroborty. Sonu Nigam’s voice gives a soft punch to the sung. That is an amazing combo pack. If you haven’t heard the song, I must tell you that this one of the Sonu’s memorable song, and greatest liked experiment done by Rahman.
TANHAYEE(DIL CHAHTA HAI)– Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy the trio for the 5-6 years has blown the Bollywood with high voltage songs like Rind Posh Maal, Bhumbro Bhumbro in Mission Kashmir, Kuchh Na Kaho, Baat Meri Suniye to Zara in Kuchh na Kaho, and many more. Besides all, who can forget the Breathless album. That is something which has never been tried, neither be copied for long. That needs sheer practice, capacity, talent and above all purity. High voltage in real terms. Tanhayee is a very quiet, tranquil and melodious song. With combinations of high and low pitch notes, Sonu proved yet again that making copies of such songs all needs indisputable talent.
ZINDAGI MAUT NA BAN JAAYE(SARFAROSH)– It seems that music composers do their work according to the capacities of Sonu before assigning it to him, that further stretches his potential in tons. Sonu was accompanied with Roop Kumar Rathod again, but this time it was Jatin Lalit who took it through. A striking similarity between a song from Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin, Hai Agar Dushman Dushman Zamanaa Gum Nahin, Koi Aaye Koi, Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin can easily be found.
EK DIN KAHIN(AUR PYAR HO GAYA)– This is a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan special, and the speed of the song says it all. Sonu Nigam was just a lass in Bollywood but remember the saying – talent does what it can do, but genius does what it must do. He did the job excellently. Before the song, everybody considered him to be merely a classical and bhajan singer. But he bombarded himself to the Hindi cinema audience and said it all about capabilities.
O MERI JAAN(DUNIYA DILWALON KI)– A must-be-a-less-heard song from a must-be-a-less-known movie. Excellent composition by Rahman, handled pretty well by Sonu. His voice sounded like a sharp knife over hot and soft butter. A South Indian movie dubbed in Hindi with pathetic lyrics in each song but does good quality music really needs lyrics to make its impact. Just consider the following lyrics of the song in discussion:
BARKHA SE BHEEGEY NAHIN AASMAAN, AANDHI SE UDTAA NAHIN CHANDRAMAAN
KEHNEIN SE CHAAHAT HOTI NAHIN, HO JAAYE TO PHIR MARTI NAHIN
JALTI HAI AGNI UTHTA DHUAAN, BUJHTI NAHIN HAI DIL KI SHAMAAN
The strangest part is you won’t even think about such a pitiable lyrics, once you hear the song, at least I didn’t.
TERA JADOO CHAL GAYA(TERA JADOO CHAL GAYA)– It seems that Ismail Darbar has developed the habit of assigning the most difficult compositions for Sonu Nigam, and Sonu stands and delivers anything he is asked to. He has become so technically correct that nothing is out of his reach now, given any song belonging to any type. This song cannot be hummed even by anyone who does not have a tough classical background, forget about singing. The alaap in this song did make me faint the first time I heard it, it is so very difficult. I give my sincere salutations to such a great and grand singer.
SATRANGI RE(DIL SE)– Rahman and Sonu must have possibly become a hit formula – otherwise not the songs of this combo wouldn’t be all chart busters. And with Gulzar saab and his Urduest lyrics, I mean, putting toughest Urdu word all around, makes the song so difficult in each possible way. I heard the same song sung by Sonu in a stage performance. I was enthralled by the great improvisations done by him. An astounding performance that made the song sound even harder than ever before.
*IS PYAAR KO MAIN KYA NAAM DOON(MUJHE KUCHH KEHNA HAI)
*MERI DUNIYA MEIN AAKE(TUM BIN)
TUM SE MILKE DIL KA HAI JO HAAL(MAIN HOON NA)
FIZA(FIZA)
DO PAL(VEER ZARA)
KAL HO NA HO(KAL HO NA HO)
KYON HAWA AAJ YOON(VEER ZARA)
MAIN HOON NA(MAIN HOON NA)
