I have always maintained that Outlook does a better job at non-political cover stories than it does at the political ones. Its latest issue is about the 20 best Bollywood songs ever. May be the recent demise of Naushad prompted such an exercise. It is not a public survey rather the choice of an expert panel of 30 lyricists, composers and playback singers. Each panel member was asked to nominate 10 favourite numbers in no order of preference.
The best song ever, according to the panel is actually a bhajan written by Sahir Ludhianvi and sung by Mohd. Rafi from the movie Chitralekha (1964). Mohd Rafi tops the charts with 7 nominations, 5 solos and 2 duets (one each with Lata and Asha) including the top three songs. Lata has 6 songs, 5 solos and 1 duet. Asha has 2 songs, 1 solo and 1 duet. Kishore Kumar has 2 songs, both solos. K.L. Saigal, that sonorous voice of the era bygone has just one nomination. Hemant Kumar has 3 and of the present day singers, there is just Sonu Nigam with a song from Kal Ho Na Ho.
In the lyrics department, Shailendra has 5 songs in the list, Kaifi Azmi has 4, Sahir has 2, Anand Bakshi has 2 and, Javed Akhtar and Gulzar have 1 each. Guide is the most popular movie with 3 of its songs nominated by the panel. Father S.D. Burman has 5 compositions while son R.D. has 4.
I think it is a decent listing. There would always be some songs that some people feel should not have been included and some that should have been. Also, I think Outlook could have conducted a public survey as well to determine the popular choice.
What do you think of the compilation? Is there any song that you feel has been left but should have been in the list?
Update: Here is the complete list of top 20 songs.
1. Man re, tu kaahe na dheer dhare
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Chitralekha (1964)
Music: Roshan
Lyrics Sahir Ludhianvi
2. Three songs tied for the second position
Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain…
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Guide (1965)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Din dhal jaaye, hai raat na jaaye…
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Guide (1965)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics Shailendra
Kuch to log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna… Singer: Kishore Kumar
Film: Amar Prem (1971)
Music: R.D. Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
3. Three songs tied for the third position
Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam…
Singer: Geeta Dutt
Film: Kaagaz ke phool (1959)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Jo vaada kiya woh nibhana padega…
Singers: Rafi-Lata
Film: Taj Mahal (1963)
Music: Roshan
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Pyar kiya to darna kya…
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
Music: Naushad
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
4. Thirteen songs tied for the fourth position
Ai qaatib-e-taqdeer mujhe itna bata de…
Singer: K.L. Saigal
Film: My Sister (1944)
Music: Pankaj Mullick
Lyrics: Pandit Bhushan
Ayega, ayega, ayega ayega aane wala…
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Mahal (1949)
Music: Khemchand Prakash
Lyrics: Nakshab Jarachavi
Piya tose naina lage re…
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Guide (1965)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Mai ye sochkar uske dar se…
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Haqeeqat (1964)
Music: Madan Mohan
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
O sajna, barkha bahar ayee…
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Parakh (1960)
Music: Salil Chowdhury
Lyrics: Shailendra
Kuch dil ne kaha, kuch bhi nahin…
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Film: Anupama (1966)
Music: Hemant Kumar
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Zindagi ke safar me guzar jate hain jo makam…
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Film: Aap ki kasam (1974)
Music: R.D.Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Tum jo mil gaye ho to ye lagta hai, ke jahan mil gaya…
Singer: Mohammed Rafi
Film: Hanste zakhm (1973)
Music: Madan Mohan
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Dil cheez kya hai aap meri jaan lijiye…
Singer: Asha Bhonsle
Film: Umrao Jaan (1981)
Music: Khayyam Lyrics Shahryar
Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko…
Singers: Asha Bhonsle-Mohammed Rafi
Film: Yaadon ki baraat (1973)
Music: R.D. Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh
Tum pukar lo…
Singer: Hemant Kumar
Film: Khamoshi (1969)
Music: Hemant Kumar Lyrics Gulzar
Har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi…
Singer: Sonu Nigam
Film: Kal ho naa ho (2003)
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Poocho na kaise maine rain bitayi…
Singer: Manna Dey
Film: Meri soorat teri aankhen (1963)
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Well it really depends on the criterion.. is it the lyrics.. or the music… what?
some songs I love are Yeh Haseen Wadiyan from Roja
and Naam Adaa Likhna from Yahaan.. both relatively new…
I also love Kaheen door jab din dhal jaaye… and Chalte chalte… plenty of old songs.. dont know where to make a start!
Some of my faves are also not on the list.
I love that song of Yahaan, it is awesome!
Dear Administrator,
I like your top twenty songs. Mohd. Rafi tops the list. I think it is a really justice with his talent. He was and is really at the top of the world of music.
Mehtab
While Hindi film music has made gigantic leaps in terms of clarity and technology, very little can be said in terms of lyrics. With modern state-of-the-art equipment here to rule, just a little effort on meaningful lyrics will make Hindi film songs a treat. And who knows? They may surpass the songs of yesteryear.
I dont know about this list. To think that not one AR Rahman song is in that galls me. Granted the old songs have that melodious quality, not to mention excellent lyrics, and that Rahman’s best ones have often debuted in Tamil, but still….
Radha kaise na jale from Lagaan – beautiful music and lyrics. what more do they want!!
I could name so many more…
Choti si Aasa from Roja
Yeh jo des hai tera from Swades… gut-wrenching.
Anjali Anjali (Duet in Tamil)
And a bunch of others that I only know the Tamil versions…
Unless they kept Rahman’s stuff out by considering as not Hindi, I just can’t accept this list. At least one song from him has to be there when you talk of Bollywood music.
@ Mehtab
Yes, Mohd. Rafi would appear in any survey of best Bollywood songs.
@ Pradeep
Like you, I also mourn the deteriorating standard of lyrics. Crazy kiyaa re!
@ Mahi
I agree. Every survey would leave out some awesome songs.
well, make it top 50 and all should be of rafi’s. where is the most difficult song in indian history, “o duniya ke rakhwale”?
Yes,yes,Rafi all the way. No comparison no competition. He is the runaway winner.Love you adore you Rafi.
The selection of Rafi is no doubt good, but there are better ones of Rafi..like Kashmir Ki Kali songs, Phir Wahi dil laya hoon…also Kishore’s from Jhumroo and Manna’s (Kinare Kinare n several others) songs…so altho I liked the selection, this is an individual choice not necessarily universal. rgds
kahi door jab din dhal jaye is one of top 5 songs in history.,
Kuch to log kahenge is a very ordinary song. May be included in top 1000.
1. Rafi
2. rafi
3. rafi
….
…
1000. rafi
….
Rafi is and will be unbeaten in all respects of singing. Mehfil se uth jaane walo, saathi na koi manzil… and the list is unending
chalte chalte ..
zindagi bhar nahi bhoolegi ..
kahin door jab din dhal jaye ..
isharon isharon mein ..
wada karo nahi ..
ye dil na hota bechara ..
do lafzon ki hai ..
and many more.. not to say that the list above isn’t good. The only thing that isn’t good is today’s lyrics .. sad ..
Such a list has no credibility. According to priciples of survey and research samle size, sample selection method and so many other factors matter. It is, at the best, opinion of a handful of persons handpicked conveniently, even if they are luminories of the field. Even if the lyricists, music directors and singers picked were different, the list would have been different.
what a senseless list ….. do’nt u people listen songs by heart??????? don’t ever try to conduct such type of polls…
saara pyar tumhara maine……
hoke majboor mujhe usne bhulaya hoga…
hum tere pyar mein sara aalam kho baithe…..
saavan ka mahina….
mere deewanepan ki bhi dawa….
.
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.
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i was browsing some list of hindi film songs but was surprised to see this ridiculous list…..Rafi is no way that great… do’nt u ppl remember some of his BANDAL songs like aaja meri raani…Actually it’s lyrics,composition and of course the voice……..But Kishore was the one n only singer who was really capable of making BANDAL lyrics as memorable one…….
Without the song, ‘main hoon jhum jhum jhumroo’its arises a quation for me.
“…..jindegi hain mere jindegi key liye……” its realy realy marvelous lyrics which includes in this song.
in indian music the position great rafi saheb godly and God always remains at the top so i have no surprise that he tops the list
I was surching for the songs sung by three people together (trio) can you send me list of such songs.
muziccc!
Please remove music from your id
If you do not think Rafi is the best.
How can one do justice to any list without including “Jinhe Naaz hai Hind pe vo kahan hai”
& “Jala do ye duniyaa” from Gurudatt?
Well it has to be Rafi all the way.
Amazing that Baharoon phool Barsao is not in the list. Has to be on top.
Aadabb, Mohibji,
A very BIGGGG THANK YOU, for this website, you did Great job, Kahkashan is/was my Life line which was missing, Because of you it got revived,Thank you once again. I will be very happy if we can, please let me know your contact no.
warm Regards,
D J Haswani
AWAZ KI DUNIA MEN BUHAT SE SINGER AYE OR CHALE GAYE HAR EIK SINGER OR US K CHAHNE WALE KO US KI MUSIKI PER NAZ HUA MAGAR SALAM HAI TUJH KO RAFI K MUSIKI JIS PER NAZ KARTI HAI ..”TUM MUJHY YON BHULA NA PAO GAY”
I am a bit disappointed by this list. None of Kishor or Sonu Nigam’s songs should have appeared in the list. Rather Rafi should have even more share and Asha and Mukesh should have more representation in the list. In my opinion, out of top 50, Rafi should have at least 25 and Lata and Aasha should have 10 each.
For the last few days I am addicted to this song:
Gangaa Meri Maa Kaa Naam
Baap Kaa Naam Himaalay
Ab Tum Khud Hi Faisla Kar Lo
Mein Kis Sube Waalaa
I think this song should be in the top 100 list
THE LIST IS HOPELESS.
Rafi is 99% of Indian film music.
i dont know why ‘rahe na rahe hum mehka kare ge’of MAMTA has not been taken in the list.There is another songs like,”Nighahen na phero chale jayin ge hum,magar yad rakhana ke yad ayenge hum”
i dont know the name of the movie,iwould love to know it
thanks
lalit m sharma
well this list is quite ok but don’t you think at least one or two songs of the present generation should come in that list like
1.’lukachupi’ from rang de basanti
2.’yeh haseen wadian’ from Roza.
What pals!What about new songs?Aren’t they better than old ones…Tum se hi by Mohit Chauhan,Jashn e Bahara by Javed Ali,Kal Ho Na Ho by Sonu,Pal by KK,Maa by Shankar,Kaise Mujhe by Benny Dayal….Yup Mumbaikar8,U old ass even Benny Dayal is better than Md. Rafi….Listen Aye mohabbat zindabad and after it ,Kaise Mujhe from ghajini….if u still love Rafi Saab….U have stale appetite
songs are well selected though there are some notable ommisson for eg.
kohi humdhum na raha kohi hamara na raha
by kishore in jhumroo
examples are many.
all said it is still a good selection
1940s
Jawaan Hai Muhabbat
(Muhabbat karein, khush rahein, muskuraaein,
Na soche humein kya kahega zamana…)
Uthaayeja Unke Sitam
(Yahi hai muhabbat ka dastoor ai dil,
Vo gham de tujhe, tu duaaein diye jaa…)
Hawa Mein Udta Jaaye
(Hawa mein udta jaaye, more laal dupatta malmal ka,
Ji, mora laal dupatta malmal ka, o ji, o ji…)
Jiya Bekaraar Hai
(Jiya bekaraar hai, chhai bahaar hai,
Aaja more baalma, tera intezaar hai…)
Aaega Aanewala
(Maajhi bagair nayya saahil ko dhoondhti hai,
Kya jaane dil ki kashti kab tak lage kinaare,
Lekin ye keh rahein hain dil ke mere ishaare…)
1950s
Saare Jahaan Se Achha
(Mazhab nahi sikhaata aapas mein bair rakhna,
Hindi hain hum, vatan hai hindustan hamara…)
Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui
(Kya khaak vo jeena hai jo apne hi liye ho,
Khud mit ke kisi aur ko mitne se bacha le…)
Shola Jo Bhadke
(Mehki hawaaein, behke kadam more
Aise mein thaam lo aake balam more…)
Awaara Hoon
(Ghar baar nahi, sansaar nahi
Mujhse kisi ko pyar nahi…)
Saiiyan Dil Mein Aana Re
(Thodi thodi chhed hogi, thoda thoda pyar hoga,
Kabhi ikraar hoga, kabhi inkaar hoga,
Tera manaana mera rooth jaana re…)
O Duniya Ke Rakhwaale
(Mahal udaas aur galiyaan sooni, chup chup hain deewaarein,
Dil kya ujda, duniya ujdi, ruth gayi hain bahaarein…)
Ye Shaam Ki Tanhaaiyan
(Jis raah se tum aane ko the, uske nishaan bhi mitne lage,
Aaye na tum, sau sau dafah, aaye gaye mausam…)
Aaja Re Ab Mera Dil Pukaara
(Ghabraaye haaye ye dil,
Sapno mein aake kabhi mil…)
Maang Ke Saath Tumhara
(Dil kahe dildaar mila, hum kahein humein pyar mila,
Pyar mila humein yaar mila, ek naya sansaar mila,
Mil gaya ek sahaara, ha ha ha ha…)
Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri
(Tujhe chaand ke bahaane dekhun,
Tu chhat par aaja goriye…)
Babuji Dheere Chalna
(Kyun ho khoye hue sar jhukaaye, jaise jaate ho sab kuch lutaaye,
Ye to babuji pehla kadam hai, nazar aate hain apne paraaye…)
Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar
(Kitna sambhaala bairi do naino mein kho gaya,
Dekhti reh gayi main to jiya tera ho gaya…)
Pyar Hua Ikraar Hua
(Pyar hua ikraar hua hai, pyar se phir kyun darta hai dil,
Kehta hai dil rasta mushkil, maaloom nahi hai kahaan manzil…)
O Duur Ke Musafir
(Tu ne vo de diya gham, bemaut mar gaye hum,
Dil uth gaya jahaan se, le chal humein yahaan se…)
Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De
(Masti bhara taraana kyun raat gaa rahi hai,
Aankhon mein neend aa kar kyun duur ja rahi hai…)
Ai Maalik Tere Bande Hum
(Jab zulmon ka ho saamna, tab tu hi humein thaamna,
Vo buraayi kare, hum bhalaayi bharein,
Nahi badle ki ho kaamna…)
Jaane Vo Kaise Log The
(Jaane vo kaise log the jinke pyar ko pyar mila,
Humne to jab kaliyaan maangi, kaanton ka haar mila…)
Ina Mina Dika
(Ina mina dika, daai dama dika, chika pika rika
Ina mina dika dika, de daai dama dika, maka naka maka naka,
Chika pika rola rika, rum pum posh, rum pum posh…)
Chali Chali Re Patang
(Le ke mann mein lagan jaise koi dulhan,
Chali jaaye saanwariya ki gali re…)
Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi
(Teri kismat mein likha hai jeete jee mar jaana,
Chal ud ja re panchhi ke ab ye des hua begaana…)
Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet
(Barse gagan, mere barse nayan,
Dekho tarse hai mann, ab to aaja…)
Hai Apna Dil
(Ajab hai deewana, na dar na thikana,
Zameen se begana, falak se juda…)
Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka
(Tum to machal gaye, ho ho ho,
Yunhi fisal gaye, ha ha ha…)
Aaja Re Pardesi
(Main nadiya phir bhi main pyasi,
Bhed ye gehra baat zara si,
Bin tere har baat udaasi…)
Dil Tadap Tadap Ke
(Tu nahi to ye bahaar kya bahaar hai,
Gul nahi khile ke tera intezaar hai…)
Aadha Hai Chandrama
(Aadha hai chandrama, raat aadhi,
Reh na jaaye teri meri baat aadhi, mulaqat aadhi…)
Waqt Ne Kiya
(Bekarar dil is tarah mile, jis tarah kabhi hum juda na the,
Tum bhi kho gaye, hum bhi kho gaye, ek raah par, chal ke do kadam…)
Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe
(Rishta dil se dil ke aitbaar ka, zinda hai hum hi se naam pyar ka,
Ke mar ke bhi kisi ko yaad aayenge, kisi ke aansuon mein muskurayenge,
Kahega phool har kali se baar baar…)
Sab Kuch Seekha Humne
(Phir bhi dil ki chot chhupa kar, humne aapke dil behlaya,
Khud hi mar mitne ki ye zid hai hamaari…)
Ruk Ja O Jaanewali
(Muddat se mere dil ke sapno ki tu rani hai,
Ab tak na mile lekin, pehchaan puraani hai…)
Uthaayeja Unke Sitam, Aaega Aanewala, Piya Aiso Jiya Mein, Aawara Hoon, Ye Shaam Ki Tanhaiyaan, Aaja Re Ab Mera Dil Pukara, Ude Jab Jab Zulfein, Babuji Dheere Chalna, Maang Ke Saath Tumhara, Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua, O Duur Ke Musafir, Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De, Chal Ud Ja Re Panchhi, Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet, Hai Apna Dil, Aaja Re Pardesi, Waqt Ne Kiya, Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe, Sab Kuch Seekha Humne, Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho, Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet, Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar, Abhi Na Jaao Chhodkar, Kahin Deep Jale, Ae Mere Dil-e-Naadan, Vo Dil Kahaan Se Laaun, Jo Wada Kiya, O Jaanewale, Deewana Hua Baadal, Chaahoonga Main Tujhe, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan, Ye Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu, Kaanton Se Kheench Ke, Piya Toh Se, Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, Tumse Achha Kaun Hai, O Mere Sona, Aaja Aaja, O Hasina, Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega, Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo, Aaja Piya, Jab Jab Bahaar Aayi, Sawan Ka Mahina, Kasmein Vaade Pyar Wafa, Mehlon Ka Raja Mila, Oh Re Taal Mile, Chandan Sa Badan, Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Roop Tera Mastana, Bindiya Chamkegi, Aa Jaanejaan, Kora Kaagaz Tha Mann Mera, Ye Reshmi Zulfein, Duniya Banaanewale, Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhein, Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka, Tum Mujhe Yuun, Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli, Mere Mitwa Mere Meet, Kahin Duur Jab Din Dhal Jaaye, Maine Tere Liye, Jeena Yahaan Marna Yahaan, Piya Tu, Chingari Koi, Raat Kali, Ye Jo Muhabbat Hai, Pyar Deewana Hota Hai, Sooni Re Nagariya, Jis Gali Mein, Koi Jab Tumhara, Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, Sajna Hai Mujhe, Chura Liya Hai, Meet Na Mila Re Mann Ka, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Piya Bina, Ab To Hai Tumse, Hai Tere Saath Meri Wafa, Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina, Teri Bindiya Re, Baahon Mein Chale Aao, Karvatein Badalte Rahe, Teri Galiyon Mein, Tum Aa Gaye Ho, Is Mod Se Jaate Hain, Tere Bina Zindagi Se, Ek Din Bik Jaayega, Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet, Mere Ghar Aayi, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shayar Hoon, Kabhi Kabhi, Mere Dil Ne Tadap Ke, Jab Dard Nahi Tha, Aadmi Musafir Hai, Kya Hua Tera Wada, O Saathi Re, Aaj Kal Paaon Zameen Par, Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na, Madhuban Khushbu Deta Hai, Kasmein Vaade Nibhayenge, Maine Poochha Chand Se, Neela Asmaan So Gaya, Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke, Hothon Se Chhu Lo Tum, Chhu Kar Mere Mann Ko, Ye Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum, Dekha Ek Khwab, Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna, Pyar Mujhse Jo Kiya To, Tumko Dekha To, Tu Tu Hai Vahi, Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani, Tujhse Naraaz Nahi, Ae Dil-e-Naadan, Lambi Judaai, Saagar Kinaare, Mungda, Mere Pyar Ki Umar Ho Itni Sanam, Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye, Dard-e-Dil, Gudiya Rani, Morni, Dil Hoom Hoom Kare, Yaara Seeli Seeli, Dil Hai Chhota Sa, Ye Raat Khushnaseeb Hai, Ye Haseen Waadiyan, Pyar Hua Chupke Se, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To, Baabul Jo Tune Sikhaya, Dil Kehta Hai, Kehna Hi Kya, Tu Hi Re, Baahon Ke Darmiyan…