Unlike last time around (Mohit in 2011), no male singer dominated the year. While in females, Sneha Khanwalkar got my attention thanks to those two awesome songs 'Kaala Rey' and 'What to do'. Apart from singing, she had quite a some year as composer too, with plenty of experiments in tunes or singers for Gangs of Wasseypur albums.
Talking of experimentation, Amit Trivedi also did pretty well with 4 albums in the year and each having atleast one song that had Amit trademark written all over it. Aafaton ke Parinde, What to do, Manhattan and Kikli Kalerdi were my picks from them.
Vishal Dadlani also did very well, both as composer and singer. Shanghai and Kahaani had great music, with Aamit Shotti Bolchi, Dua and Khudaaya best picks.
Kay Kay got 2 songs 'Jannatein Kahan' and 'Padd Gaye Ji', both awesomely sung kept the singer I love feeling alive though he has faded over the years.
Sonu Nigam gave me just one song to remember which ironically I saw very few people praise out, 'Jab se mere dil ko uff'.
Special Mention to 12 yr old Durga who sang one of year's famous song 'Chi cha ledar'. Shalmali Kholgade was another great find in female singers, with her song 'Pareshaan' in Ishaqzaade.
And then there was Rabbi who sang 'Challa' brilliantly..
2. Challa - jab tak hai jaan
Rabbi + Gulzar + Rahman. The song had more of Rabbi and Gulzar feel, and it was very strong enough to become no.2 song of year. Challa refers to a mad lover who is in search of love. I like the way its picturised in the movie too, all versions. I haven't liked any of Rabbi's song in past, quite a surprise for myself to be able to love the song to such extent. Rabbi brought that punjabi flavour and yet very romantic feeling in this song very well. 'Challe tu sabda, challe tera koi nahi' and 'Ishq de kaidi ki, na rihaayi hoyi', were best lines from the song.
3. Dua - shanghai
Nandini, Arijit and Shekhar's vocals in this song. Very emotional lyrics, and slow composition highlights it much more. 'yehi baar baar sochta hoon tanha main yahaan, mere saath saath chal raha hai yaadon ka dua', my fav lines. Only complaint from this song is why no 2nd antara. In a way, this song refers to broken faith and lost hope.
4. Paani da rang - vicky donor
Whenever I think of my liking towards this song, I will always think of that time when the song came on net and I commented on twitter that its a decent song. If you don't like the song, and haven't seen film then you should watch it, most likely the song will click.. thats how some songs work for some people. Ayushmann Khurana has sung it very well, another punjabi romantic song in Top5. Though its ayushmann song completely, the use of background female vocals at places is well done.. 'Tere utte marda, pyar tenu karda.. milega tujhe na koi aur.. tu bhi aa sabko chorh ke', my fav lines..
5. Aafaton ke parinde - ishaqzaade
Suraj Jagan voice so well suits this genre of song. The song is a take on the kind of lovers used to be earlier, and kind of lovers you get now. Great use of words like Fasaano mein, Halaalo mein, Haraamo mein. Good composition by Amit Trivedi, great song without going for something completely hatke. 'Sitaaron mein, taaranon mein, jo milte the fasaanon mein'.
6. O Womaniya - gangs of wasseypur
Sneha's great composition, and lovely rendition by Khushboo Bajaj. Special mention to the alaap 'ho ooh oh oh oh' and the innovative lyrics by Varun Grover. 'Badle rupaiya ke de na chavanniya, haaye, badle rupaiya ke de na chavanniya'..
7. Yeh jism - jism 2
Ali azmat's vocals, and Arko Mukherjee composition.. Comparing it with awarapan banjaarapan would always make it hard to love this song.. I wish the song got used in a better made film instead of this one, such is the luck for some great songs. One of those songs that I was hooked for many days right from the first time I heard it, vocals, composition and lyrics all worked together. 'Fanaa kiya mujhe yeh chahne ki aas ne, daraa, daraa, shikast hi hua'
8. Muskaane jhooti hai - talaash
Suman sridhar's voice has something that attracts me, right from the time I heard her first time singing 'Tonight' in Luv ka the end. I would sum up her voice as a soft and sexy combo. Muskaane has a retro feel, and Suman gives it that special feel. Special mention to the alaap 'aa haa, aa haa..', and the background tune that plays before it. Javed Akhtar's lyrics has the whole film in this single line 'Jo rooh pyaasi hai, jismein udaasi hai.. woh hai ghoomti'...
9. Taar bijli - gangs of wasseypur II
Varun Grover's lyrics take away the limelight easily, and Richa Chadda in the movie made it her own the way she portrayed happiness and sadness as the song went on. Good rendition by Sharda Sinha. 'Sookh ke ho gaye hai chhuaare piya, bechaarey piya, sab haarey piya.. kuch khaatey nahi hai humaare piya'...
10. Aami shotti bolchi - kahaani
I dont know if Kolkata people felt this, but for me I got another great song based on a city, after the likes of 'Bam bam bambayi, Bombay Bombay, da da dilli, yeh delhi hai mere yaar etc etc'. Usha Uthup and Vishal right choice for this high energy track, and special mention to Namrata Rao who made the song looked even better with her cuts in the movie. I love the part where Vishal joins Usha in the song through 'Aami Shotti Bolchi' lyrics. 'Aisa shaher hai jiska double-role hai, chalta rehta hai phir bhi jaata kahin nahi.. udi baba kuch toh serious gondogol hai'.
11. Chi cha ledar - gangs of wasseypur II
One of those songs which may not have any logic, but the lyrics have a certain madness that you can't stay away from. 12 yr old Durga has given voice to the song, and the choice of making her sing the song also contributed to the madness. I like the use of 'Raadhe bhaiyya' words, since Definite is a salman fan and its filmed on him. The song had a great chase sequence in the movie, very much similar to Black Friday. 'Woh humse poochey, whether I like the weather'...
12. What to do - aiyyaa
Amit Trivedi's experiment worked the best in this song for me. Sneha Khanwalkar again the singer, with Amitabh Bhattacharya male singer. Special mention to the various background voices Sneha does while Amitabh sings, specially that 'ae he he, oh ho ho' and that final harkat she does. Even Amitabh gets lots of moments in this song. The use of ;Ijjat Pappad; words was fantastic, and also 'ichak daana' in the end. The song is kinda of adult based, expectedly video was on same lines but I wish it was on any other actors. 'Aayi jawaani kis modh pe, hilti hai vibrate mode pe, dil pada hai mera road pe'..
13. Jannatein kahan - jannat 2
This would be the only song that I have rated very high just because I listen to it way too often. Kay Kay vocals, the english lyrics in between and the alaap of Zara sa from Jannat makes it a very good song. It does miss the madness Jannat Jahan had, still good enough to make me like it a lot. Its picturisation was a big dissappointment. Tere hi liye tujhse hoon juda, jannatein kahan bin huye fanaa...
14. Khudaaya - shanghai
Great composition + Lyrics + Singing. Its a short song but still too good to miss a top position. Shekhar's voice goes with the song very well, and special mention to this song's video, uniquely thought which one can understand only if seen the movie. Lamho ki iss bheed mein, mujhko pal de fursat ke ..
15. Jugni - cocktail
Great composition by Pritam, Arif's original song but the way he has mixed Arif and Harshdeep voices together specially the same lines they sing alternately. The fast part makes the song very dramatic, one of reasons it gets that extra emotional quotient. Plus, love the way its picturised in the movie. Jugni ishq de raste jaave, kidre dhokha hi na khaave, ohnu zara samajh na aave, laave ya na dil nu laave, naale pak mohabbat kare saayo ni...
16. Pareshaan - ishaqzaade
Great start for Shalmali Kholgade as playback singer, she has a good voice and might go long way if her choice of songs is good. I like the part 'main pareshaan, main pareshaan', with rock kinda beats used on it. Also, the harmonium part used as background, special mention to the place where there is small stop after shalmali vocals and this tune follows up. Good composition by Amit Trivedi. Zara zara fitrat badalne laga dil mera, zara zara kismat se ladhne laga dil mera...
17. Kyun - barfi
Another of those singer's who have different voice that appeals to me. After Jiyein Kyun, he impresses yet again.. this time not a emotional song, but kind of motivational one on life. Sunidhi has small part in the song, always love to hear her in soft songs. Sun khankhanati hai zindagi, le humein bulaati hai zindagi, jo karna hai aaj kar, na isko taal baawre...
18. Keh ke lunga - gangs of wasseypur
Love the use of words 'keh ke lunga', the way the song is written on these words.. just creates that feeling of revenge so brilliantly. The composition keeps that revenge feel alive, so does the rendition by Amit Trivedi and Sneha Khanwalkar. Jismein bachna ho bach le, jismein bachna ho bach le, bach meri jaan, teri keh ke lunga...
19. Saans - jab tak hai jaan
So much fight it was, to like this song. Eventually, I did liked it but still have problems with the line 'saans mein teri saans mili toh mujhe saans aayi', that doesn't appear Gulzar but unfortunately it is. If I ignore this part of song, I very much love the song. The starting tune that leads to vocals, and ending the song on same tune. Also, the same tune is used as background theme in some parts of the movie.. so that helped in liking the song too. Visually, Yashji filmed this song as romantic as it could had been. I specially love the 1st antara both audio and video wise. I prefer Mohit more in the song, Shreya is decent. Dil kab seedhi raah chala hai, raah mudhe toh mudh jaane do...
20. Teri yaadon - blood money
Quite a gap since Mustafa Zahid sang again (Toh phir aao fame). This was the song that appealed to me the most out of the three songs he sang in this movie. Very good lyrics too, and good drunk picturisation. Tere bina main tanha hoon, waqt se toota lamha hoon..
21. Padd gaye ji - akaashvani
Very romantic song by Hitesh Sonik, sung by Kay Kay and Sunidhi Chauhan. The rise in beats at the first mention of 'tere pyar mein', and once again softly sung by Sunidhi. My fav part though is the haya sharam, its super romantic and has that mad feeling attached to it. If you get to see film, you would know what I mean. The song portrays the fallen in love and gone mad, nothing else visible to me now' feeling very well. Interestingly, this song too I liked only after watching the film. Deewaron par bhi likh diya tera naam, hum toh ji takh rahe khule aam...
22. Bharat mata ki jai - shanghai
Vishal Dadlani and Kirti Sagathia in this track that gives reference to people who forcefully get their work done, mainly the ones working for politicians or well known people. And yet they believe they are doing something great for India. This one unlike 'Mera bharat mahaan' (Rann) song isn't sarcastic in tone but reflects a lot about a section of people prevailing in India. I like this song mainly for this reason, plus the lyrics. Dhandha yeh agar chanda nahi, donation sahi bolo kya doge ...
23. Velle - student of the year
Loved this song from the movie, was addicted to it for many days, I am sure at dance places/clubs this song would had got played a lot too. The song has flavour of typical lifestyle of a college guy that includes drinks, girls, non-studious, masti with friends etc. And all that was covered in its picturisation too. Its a shekhar song completely for me, Vishal has mainly done the english parts. Yaar hai apne favour mein, ghoome hai phir toh tevar mein..
24. Main sharabi - cocktail
A song on alcohol, probably among best ones but irony being I no longer drink though that doesn't stop me from humming this song every now and then. Yo Yo Honey's rendition along with Imran Aziz. Lovely beats, another song that makes you dance, and picturised on Deepika in the movie in a very sexy way. Sharaab peene ka yeh faayda niraala hai, aam sa chehra bhi jannat ki hoor hota hai..
25. Ishq shava - jab tak hai jaan
One of those typical Rahman songs that at 1st try would song decent, but there's something that you want to listen it again and again, and eventually the song grows and becomes one of your favourites. Raghav Mathur has given male vocals, but its Shilpa Rao whose voice I loved more. Aaj ki raatein kiski hai, kal ki raat teri na meri, chaand utha chal toss kare, chehra tera aur chaal meri ..
Talking of experimentation, Amit Trivedi also did pretty well with 4 albums in the year and each having atleast one song that had Amit trademark written all over it. Aafaton ke Parinde, What to do, Manhattan and Kikli Kalerdi were my picks from them.
Vishal Dadlani also did very well, both as composer and singer. Shanghai and Kahaani had great music, with Aamit Shotti Bolchi, Dua and Khudaaya best picks.
Kay Kay got 2 songs 'Jannatein Kahan' and 'Padd Gaye Ji', both awesomely sung kept the singer I love feeling alive though he has faded over the years.
Sonu Nigam gave me just one song to remember which ironically I saw very few people praise out, 'Jab se mere dil ko uff'.
Special Mention to 12 yr old Durga who sang one of year's famous song 'Chi cha ledar'. Shalmali Kholgade was another great find in female singers, with her song 'Pareshaan' in Ishaqzaade.
And then there was Rabbi who sang 'Challa' brilliantly..
TOP 25 SONGS :
1. Kaala rey - gangs of wasseypur II
Sneha Khanwalkar's composition and vocals, very darkish feel in the lyrics and also the tone of the entire song. It was this song that made me feel Sneha is female Rahman, specially if you notice the starting and ending of the song.. it is bound to give goosebumps. The lyrics has everything being termed black, just to add to the theme. Love how the vocals pitch change during 'Kaali garmi, suraj kaala, kaala, kaala, kaala'. The song has a haunting effect and it remains stuck into head for very long. No song came even closer to beat Kaala rey, easy winner for song of the year.
2. Challa - jab tak hai jaan
3. Dua - shanghai
4. Paani da rang - vicky donor
5. Aafaton ke parinde - ishaqzaade
6. O Womaniya - gangs of wasseypur
7. Yeh jism - jism 2
8. Muskaane jhooti hai - talaash
9. Taar bijli - gangs of wasseypur II
10. Aami shotti bolchi - kahaani
11. Chi cha ledar - gangs of wasseypur II
12. What to do - aiyyaa
13. Jannatein kahan - jannat 2
14. Khudaaya - shanghai
15. Jugni - cocktail
16. Pareshaan - ishaqzaade
17. Kyun - barfi
18. Keh ke lunga - gangs of wasseypur
19. Saans - jab tak hai jaan
20. Teri yaadon - blood money
21. Padd gaye ji - akaashvani
22. Bharat mata ki jai - shanghai
23. Velle - student of the year
24. Main sharabi - cocktail
25. Ishq shava - jab tak hai jaan
26 TO 100 SONGS ------
26. Dil mera muft ka - agent vinod
27. Aabroo - gangs of wasseypur 2
28. Kho jaane de - vicky donor
29. Jabse mere dil ko uff - teri meri kahaani
30. Aromale - ek deewana tha
31. Tumhi ho bandhu - cocktail
32. Main kya karun - barfi
33. Saiyaara - ek tha tiger
34. Second hand jawaani - cocktail
35. Imported kamariya - shanghai
36. Pungi - agent vinod
37. Moora - gangs of wasseypur 2
38. Bas main aur tu - akaashvani
39. Chaahat - blood money
40. Jiya re - jab tak hai jaan
41. Aashiyaan - barfi
42. Mar jayian - vicky donor
43. Rumani - akaashvani
44. Matru ki bijlee ka mandola - matru ki bijlee ka mandola
45. Jee le zara - talaash
46. Jo tere sang - blood money
47. Tujhe sochta hoon - jannat 2
48. Ik bagal - gangs of wasseypur
49. Gustakh dil - english vinglish
50. Darta hoon - jism2
51. Daaru desi - cocktail
52. Ekla cholo re - kahaani
53. Rab ka shukraana - jannat 2
54. Oye boy charlie - matru ki bijlee ka mandola
55. Dhadang dhang - rowdy rathore
56. Sunlo zara - ek deewana tha
57. Mumkin nahin - rush
58. Right now now - housefull 2
59. Dreamum wakeupum - aiyyaa
60. Aa re pritam pyaare - rowdy rathore
61. Fevicol se - dabangg2
62. Hunter - gangs of wasseypur
63. Crazy lover - akaashvani
64. Yeh kasoor - jism2
65. Kikli kalerdi - luv shuv tey chicken khurana
66. Mashallah - ek tha tiger
67. I will do the talking tonight - agent vinod
68. Dil garden garden ho gaya - kyaa super kool hai hum
69. Voh dekhne mein - london paris new york
70. Hosanna - ek deewana tha
71. Tera mera naam - akaashvani
72. Manhattan - english vinglish
73. Ala barfi - barfi
74. Zindagi se - raaz3
75. Saawali si raat - barfi
76. Heer - jab tak hai jaan
77. Sharminda hoon - ek deewana tha
78. Khamakha - matru ki bijlee ka mandola
79. Rafta rafta - raaz3
80. Electric piya - gangs of wasseypur 2
81. Radha - student of the year
82. Khawishein - heroine
83. Tu mohabbat hai - tere naal love ho gaya
84. Jhalla wallah - ishaqzaade
85. Raabta - agent vinod
86. Aaja - london paris new york
87. Luttna - cocktail
88. Gunaah - blood money
89. Dost hai - ek deewana tha
90. Manmauji - gangs of wasseypur
91. Dagabaaz re - dabangg 2
92. Hona hai kya - talaash
93. Fukraa - talaash
94. Kafirana - joker
95. Tu - ajab ghazab love
96. Banjaara - ek tha tiger
97. Darmiyaan - jodi breakers
98. Sun soniye - ajab ghazab love
99. Navrai maajhi - english vinglish
100. Go go govinda - oh my god
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