Best Hindi Songs of Each Decade – Volume 2

So, the last time I sat down to do a roundup of the best songs of each decade, there was uproar among my readers on how I ‘blatantly’ ignored their favorite songs:

Best Hindi Songs of Each Decade

While the second roundup is aimed at another sincere attempt to include songs that feature prominently in my readers’ favorite lists, I am pretty sure I am gonna put off some soul or the other.

Nevertheless, here is the Volume 2 (I don’t why I call it that!) of the best songs of each decade – from 40s to the current era. I am not going into the details like who wrote the lyrics and who composed the music, but that doesn’t mean their effort is any lesser than those mentioned. Legends like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Sahir Ludhianvi, Gulzar, Mukesh, Rafi, Mannade, and others hardly need a mention in an introduction!

1945 – 1960

Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DZxkiMjRo

It’s not often when Mukesh didn’t sing for Raj Kapoor, but the odd occasions when it happened, Mannadey obligingly filled his shoes, and he did so with a melodious élan. Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi is one of the priceless collaborations of the legends.

Ye Raat Ye Chandni

There is something about ‘Raat’ and the Bollywood of good old days. ‘Raat’ again leaped into the sky and gave way to a melody that’s not as heart-wrenching as it is haunting. Song is …Hemant Kumar-ian and he is in full bloom.

– 1961- 1976

Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se

How could Rafi not be in this list, How could he not be in any list! Music, lyrics, vocals – everything leaps in the song that refuses to age with time.

Kabhie Kabhie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kghlEWwvFlw

Mukesh, O Mukesh! There are some who don’t have to try and they will still sway you off your feet. Mukesh was one such artist. While his best ones came with Raj Kapoor, those with the likes of Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and the rest are also right up there.

– 1977 – 1995

Zihale – E- Miskin Maqam Branjis Bahare Hijra Bichara Dil Hai

Not everyone understands these lyrics, but quite everyone loves it – wlecome to the Gulzar world! For the record, this is what it means: “Yeh bechara abhi bhi (mehboob ki) judaai se behaal hai”

Tu Hi Re

You can’t get enough when AR Rahman, Mani Ratnam and Hariharan join hands and get along like a house on fire. Tu hi re sends you deep into the everlasting.

Yeh Safar Bahut Hai Kathin Magar – 1942: A Love Story

In an album adorned with one melody after another, this one manages to stand out by pure magic!

– 1996 – 2010

Jaadu Bhari Aankhon Wali Suno

The most smiling voice you will ever hear, Udit Naryan singing easily the most underrated song of the year (because of the non-status of the movie it belongs to), Jaadu Bhari Aankhon wali Suno does more than just weaving a magic around.

2011 – Present

Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin

Sonu Nigam might have kept dormant from last 5-7 years, but when he did turn up again for a hit song of a big budget movie, he showed what we were missing. Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin will most likely remain the best song of the decade.

Sanwar Loon (Lootera)

The movie was set in the 50s, and that’s where the song took you

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Rohit Raina

A writer by chance and leisurely on his way to become a writer by choice, Rohit is either ranting his ire out or talking about the most irrelevant stuff around.