*Aah, Sonu Nigam. The man with integrity, confidence, and the one and only! His curly hair, his charming smile, and his dashing eyes! Well, apart from his looks, he has an amazing voice!
You want proof of that? Do you? Well, why don't we take a look here, on what is so'amazing' about his voice, and what makes his voice so similar compared to the greatest singer ever, Mohammed Rafi(R.I.P. - almost his 24th death anniversary this year)
I first known Sonu Nigam, after he was'remaking' songs of Mohd. Rafi. I thought he was an interesting person, while others referred to him as a'wannabe'. But seriously, I have never heard of this unique voice from India before.
My sister, oh god. fell in love with him the first time she saw him on television. 'Oh my god, he is so cute!' she says. She even says that he was the next best cute guy after Aamir Khan. Haha. that's my sister alright.
Anyways, he have become versatile by experimenting with many today's top music directors, and taking risks to do anything. And I mean anything. (Take acting in films for example. - Bad choice Sonu Baba!)
So, I still have not become a huge fan of his. Until on March 25th, 2000, my family and I went to see'Sonu Nigam Live in Concert' in Toronto. And boy, was it mesmerizing! He has entertained us, made us laugh, controlled the audience well, and most importantly, respected every single person of India's music industry he has worked with.
Now I present you, the Twenty Best Songs of Sonu Nigam, in which my opinion, and they are not in order.
{By the way, I have added links to each of the song from the Raaga website, if you are curious to hear them}
*1. Tu Hi Tu(Satrangi Re) - Dil Se.(1998)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000022.html*
Since it was a one man show in his concert, he provided the female part in this song!{You know where Kavita raises her voice in the beginning}. Wow, you should have heard it, it sounded so real! I personally love this song of Sonu, because his voice in this song shows more of a feeling other than singing a tune. The feelings were, obsessively being with your lover, touching them, loving them, holding them and never letting them go. That's how Sonu's voice explained it. My favourite line from this song is:
'Mujhe maut ki gohd mein sonai de' - Let me sleep in death's lap I don't know why, but it's haunting, creepy, but lovely.
*2. Title Song - Saathiya(2002)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000433.html*
Must I introduce you to this song? It is the most romantic song of our times. Sonu's voice provides you to believe in love after listening to this soulful, soft music. Flute and soft drums were the perfect combination along with Sonu, and it makes you want to hear this song over and over! My favourite line:
'Taaza gire patte ki tarah sabz-e-laan par lete hue
Saat rang hai bahaaron ke, ek ada mein lapete hue
Saawan bhaadon saare tumse
Mausam mausam hanste rehna
Maddham maddham hanste rehna'
I loved that part since Sonu's'awaaz' was full of sweet melody!
*3. Kismat Se Tum. - Pukar(1999)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000062.html*
I know. I know. So far, this list has songs of A.R. Rahman has composed. But don't worry, there are other music directors in this list too! I just want to clarify that, when the A.R. Rahman team and Sonu join together, it is just. wow. To me, this sounds more of a classical item, and Sonu sings it so relaxing and like it was not hard to sing it all!{BTW, the song is so hard to sing!} My favourite line:
'Kya kahoon kaise lagte hai dil pe zulfon ke saaye
Koi bhoola raahi jaise manzil paa jaaye
Ya koi dil toofaan ka maara
Dard ki laheron mein aawaara'
Here, it sounds like Mohd. Rafi has been reborn to sing this song. Amazing.
*4. Ek Din Kahin - Aur. Pyar Ho Gaya(1997)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000548.html*
Sonu sang this song in his concert, and before he began, he talked about the Late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and how it was great working with such a talented person. I thought this song was too preppy at first, but then it grew onto me after hearing it over and over. I loved it after hearing it live. A very catchy song, with great beats and use of flute. My favourite line:
'Kabhi main kahoon zara sun to lo
Kabhi tum kaho ab keh bhi do
Kabhi main kahoon tum hein naazmi
Kabhi tum kaho mujhe humnashi
Jabhi main kahoon sun mehjabi
Nahin tum bin mujhko chain kahin
Phir tum kaho ki tumhain hai yakeen
Phir main kahoon ki mujhe pyaar hai tumse!'
*5. Title Song - Kal Ho Na Ho(2003)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000584.html*
Yes, we may have heard this song over the radio like thousands of times. But I never got sick of this song. I think this is like the song of the year 2003. Thanks to Sonu. Am I right?
My favourite line:
'Ho, palkon ke leke saaye paas koi jo aaye
Laakh sambhaalo paagal dil ko
Dil dhadke hi jaaye'
*6. Bardaasht(Remix) - Humraaz(2002)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000406.html*
I think this is much, much better than the original K.K. one. Don't you think? Of course, 'cause Sonu sang it! One of the coolest dance songs of Sonu. Listen for it striking voice in this one.
My favourite line:
'Yeh, ishq wishq to yaar, bada hai kamaal
Yeh, paida karta hai laakho sawal!'
*7. Do Kadam. - Meenaxi - A Tale of 3 Cities(2004)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000646.html*
This song is perfect to listen to while going on a long drive, or watching the rain flow into the trees. So romantic, so lovely, so. aahh. This should be the song of the year.
My favourite line:
'Raah Weeran Sahi
Raat Sumsaan Sahi
Har Ghadi Saath Rahe
Kitne Gham Saath Sahi
Thode Gham Aur Sahi
Do Qadam Aur Sahi.'
*8. Aisa Lagta Hai - Refugee(2000)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000135.html*
A simple, sweet romance song that Sonu has put up to. I love every bit of this song. It was more of cute number.
My favourite line:
'O, aisa lagta hai,
koi mera hone ko hai
Aisa lagta hai,
har faslaa khone ko hai
Varna dil kyoon dhadakta,
saansein kyoon rukti
Neendein meri kyoon ud jaati'
*9. Title Song - Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge(2001)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000366.html*
Pre-Saathiya and Pre-KHNH. This song has begun Sonu's chain of slow rock ballads and he is great in them too!
My favourite line:
'Chaahon main tumko yeh aashqui hai
Is aashiqui main ek bekhudi hai.'
*10. Ahista Ahista - Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar(2001)
https://raaga.com/channels/hindi/movie/H000349.html*
I am sure not many people have heard of this song. It is another slow, romantic song but it is not mediocre at all. Sonu's voice puts everyone in a lovey-dovey mood. Whew!
My favourite line:
'Raaste yeh naye, in main hum kho gaye
Manilen ka pata, milke dhoondhenge hum. Oh.'
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