A new year is upon us, and my resolution this year, like every other new year, is to start and maintain a blog. This desire to blog stems from the fact that I like to write and I think too much, and while the repercussions of this tendency have not been pretty so far, here's hoping I'll make something worthwhile out of it.
The end of an year calls for lists, and I believe that the most important list for any year is the one about the Top 10 Songs of the year. Back in school, when I was a kid not yet exposed to the amazing world of JEE and engineering, I dreamed about hosting my own year-end special on radio. Though that dream may go unfulfilled, this blog provides a beautiful opportunity to share "My Top 10 Songs of 2013". Also, it makes for a good "New Year" post. So, presenting before you, the ten songs that I could put on loop and not get bored, a glimpse of the gems that stood out in the year of "Saree ka fall" , "Tamanche pe disco", et al.
10. Gulabi (Shuddh Desi Romance)
Music : Sachin-Jiger
Lyrics : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singers: Jigar Saraiya and Priya Saraiya
What I like: All the pink! The song and its picturization have a kind of freshness that I found missing in most songs of 2013. I absolutely love the way it has been shot, capturing Rajasthan in all its glory. The entire team was successful in bringing the rosiness and mushiness that people normally associate with the beginning of a romance, just what the song intends to portray.
Others from the album: The remaining songs in the album had a lot of spunk (or was it just Parineeti Chopra doing her act?). I kind of liked Tere Mere Beech Mein, but a large part of it was because I liked to say "gaflat" with g from the epiglottis.
9. Zinda (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag)
Music : Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy
Lyrics : Prasoon Joshi
Singers: Siddharth Mahadevan
What I like: The strings at the beginning of the song, the unusual lyrics, the powerful chorus, and how beautifully Siddharth Mahadevan has sung the stanzas. It is the perfect "Pick-yourself-up-and-do-some-work" song. Siddharth Mahadevan definitely is a singer to watch out for.
Others from the album: The album had a good mix of songs from different genres. My favorites are Mera Yaar for its sweetness, Ghulmil Launda for its jolliness and more importantly, Hawan Kund Maston ka Jhund, for the sheer fun it induces.
8. Rumani (Akaash Vani)
Music : Hitesh Sonik
Lyrics : Luv Ranjan
Lyrics : Luv Ranjan
Singers: Thomson Andrews and Shalmali Kholgade
What I like: The spirit and enthusiasm of the song, definitely not apparent from the video, which turned out to be a huge disappointment. I love the lyrics, and the freedom and attitude they promote. If the phrase "Be Yourself" needed an anthem, I would have suggested this one.
Others from the album: I had half a mind to replace it with Pad Gaye Ji, because it has brilliant and naughty lyrics and has been sung superbly by Sunidhi Chauhan and KK (I love almost all his songs, for the record). Bas Main Aur Tu is also a very sweet romantic song. Akaash Vani is surely a surprisingly good album.
7. Khoon Choos Le (Go Goa Gone)
Music : Sachin-Jiger
Lyrics : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singers: Arjun Kanungo, Suraj Jagan, Priya Panchal
What I like: The lyrics, the power-packed chorus, the hatred spewed by the song, Vir Das, and the subtle yet deliberate sexual innuendo made in the song. Frankly, I never thought that someone will ever write a song about how nasty Mondays are, and hit bull's eye about the emotions.
Others from the album: Slowly Slowly is undeniably a popular and fun song, mostly because of "Aisa na kar na kar...mere yaar". But the surprise element of the album is Khushaamdeed, sung superbly by Shreya Ghoshal and shot in the beautiful falls of Netravali in Goa.
6. Raanjhanaa hua main tera (Raanjhanaa)
Music : A.R. Rehman
Lyrics : Irshad Kamil
Singers: Jaswinder Singh and Shiraz Uppal
What I like: Its simplicity and how it is a typical A.R. Rehman song. As was required by the story, this song is a pure celebration of a lover's homecoming. Of course, Dhanush's screen presence makes it more endearing. So dothe dholak beats.
Others from the album: As was expected from an A.R. Rehman album, Raanjhanaa had a brilliant song for every mood of the movie. The immensely popular Tum Tak has a delightful classical touch, Nazar Laaye Na's sweetness was only enhanced by the on-screen chemistry of Abhay Deol and Sonam Kapoor, and Piya Milenge was one of the better Sufi offerings this year (Murshid Khele Holi from D-Day being another one). But the song that caught my fancy, apart from the title track, was the rebellious Tu Mun Shuddhi. Clearly. A.R. Rehman can bring out the best in Rabbi Shergill.
5. Shubhaarambh (Kai Po Che)
Music : Amit Trivedi
Lyrics : Swanand Kirkire
Singers: Shruti Pathak and Divya Kumar
What I like: I know that "Nagada Sang Dhol" is everybody's favorite Garba this year, but in my opinion, it can't hold a candle to this one. The way the beat gains pace, as Garbas usually do, how smartly Gujarati phrases have been included, and in general the Feel-Good factor makes it my favorite song for Dandiya since Dholi Taro.
Others from the album: The whole album bursts with positive energy. Both Manja and Meethi Boliyaan are your characteristic Amit Trivedi compositions.
4. Yaaram (Ek thi Daayan)
Music : Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyrics : Gulzar
Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan and Clinton Cerejo
What I like: Sunidhi Chauhan's soulful rendition, the gradual increase in the pace of the song, and the magic of Gulzar Saab's words. I seriously doubt that anybody else can relate the passion and devotion of a lover to the mundane things of daily life.
Others from the album: The hauntingly sung Kaali Kaali also makes for a very sensuous number. Tote Ud Gaye is a refreshing wedding song, different from the usual ones. It's a shame that it didn't get more popular. If you listen to the lyrics closely, you'll find more than one muhavara (saying) associated with parrots. That is the unparalleled genius of Gulzar Saab.
3. Mann Mera (Table No. 21)
Music : Gajendra Verma
Lyrics : Aseem Ahmed Abbasi
Singers: Gajendra Verma
What I like: This song was introduced at the beginning of 2013, and I liked it instantly, probably because it was a long time since I heard a new ballad. This song has been composed and sung by Gajendra Verma, the same guy who had actually composed Emptiness. There is another non-movie version of this song available on the internet, but I think that the music arrangement for the movie version is much better. Gajendra Verma, who has also sung a song in the upcoming movie Yaariyan, gives one reason to believe that there will be talent for ballads even after KK.
Others from the album: The album basically has another song and multiple remixes of Mann Mera. The other song O Sajna is nice to hear but not extraordinary.
2. Meri Aashiqui Ab Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)
Music : Mithoon
Lyrics : Mithoon and Irshad Kamil
Singers: Palak Muchhal and Arijit Singh
What I like: The important question is why I choose this version over the insanely celebrated solo Tum Hi Ho by Arijit Singh. The reason is that once you get past the slow prelude, it is not as morose and self deprecating as Tum Hi Ho. The song leaves you feeling happy and you still get to listen to the passionate chorus by Arijit Singh. Palak Muchhal, who was last heard in Lapata from Ek Tha Tiger, has done an impressive job complementing Arijit Singh's baritone.
Others from the album: Sunn Raha Hai Na Tu has two versions, one sung by Ankit Tiwari and one by Shreya Ghoshal. Both are moving, but as with Tum Hi Ho, the female version has a positive vibe. With Piya Aaye Na, KK again proves the range of his voice. Chahun Main Ya Na is the only other song that I find worth recommending.
1. Balam Pichkari (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)
Music : Pritam
Lyrics : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singers: Shalmali Kholgade and Vishal Dadlani
What I like: It is a holi song that doesn't talk about choli but still allows for flirting. The beats and tune are catchy, you are instantly drawn to the dance floor and you can never be bored. Unlike other songs from the album, you have no trouble memorizing the lyrics and singing along. The enthusiasm of Vishal Dadlani, the simple choreography of Remo D'Souza and the impeccable chemistry of Deepika and Ranbir make it an absolute treat to watch.
Others from the album: Almost all songs from the album were loved by everyone. Badtameez Dil, Ghaghra and Dilliwali Girlfriend rocked the charts and the dance floors alike. Kabira and Ilahi provided a much needed balance in this album full of dance-numbers. But what this album did was much more than elate people with good music. It proved that you can have hit music without unnecessary skin show, pelvic thrusts, seductive choreography and vulgar lyrics. Quality doesn't need tantalization, and hopefully, 2014 will have more albums that demonstrate the same spirit.
4. Yaaram (Ek thi Daayan)
Music : Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyrics : Gulzar
Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan and Clinton Cerejo
What I like: Sunidhi Chauhan's soulful rendition, the gradual increase in the pace of the song, and the magic of Gulzar Saab's words. I seriously doubt that anybody else can relate the passion and devotion of a lover to the mundane things of daily life.
Others from the album: The hauntingly sung Kaali Kaali also makes for a very sensuous number. Tote Ud Gaye is a refreshing wedding song, different from the usual ones. It's a shame that it didn't get more popular. If you listen to the lyrics closely, you'll find more than one muhavara (saying) associated with parrots. That is the unparalleled genius of Gulzar Saab.
3. Mann Mera (Table No. 21)
Music : Gajendra Verma
Lyrics : Aseem Ahmed Abbasi
Singers: Gajendra Verma
What I like: This song was introduced at the beginning of 2013, and I liked it instantly, probably because it was a long time since I heard a new ballad. This song has been composed and sung by Gajendra Verma, the same guy who had actually composed Emptiness. There is another non-movie version of this song available on the internet, but I think that the music arrangement for the movie version is much better. Gajendra Verma, who has also sung a song in the upcoming movie Yaariyan, gives one reason to believe that there will be talent for ballads even after KK.
Others from the album: The album basically has another song and multiple remixes of Mann Mera. The other song O Sajna is nice to hear but not extraordinary.
2. Meri Aashiqui Ab Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2)
Music : Mithoon
Lyrics : Mithoon and Irshad Kamil
Singers: Palak Muchhal and Arijit Singh
What I like: The important question is why I choose this version over the insanely celebrated solo Tum Hi Ho by Arijit Singh. The reason is that once you get past the slow prelude, it is not as morose and self deprecating as Tum Hi Ho. The song leaves you feeling happy and you still get to listen to the passionate chorus by Arijit Singh. Palak Muchhal, who was last heard in Lapata from Ek Tha Tiger, has done an impressive job complementing Arijit Singh's baritone.
Others from the album: Sunn Raha Hai Na Tu has two versions, one sung by Ankit Tiwari and one by Shreya Ghoshal. Both are moving, but as with Tum Hi Ho, the female version has a positive vibe. With Piya Aaye Na, KK again proves the range of his voice. Chahun Main Ya Na is the only other song that I find worth recommending.
1. Balam Pichkari (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)
Music : Pritam
Lyrics : Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singers: Shalmali Kholgade and Vishal Dadlani
What I like: It is a holi song that doesn't talk about choli but still allows for flirting. The beats and tune are catchy, you are instantly drawn to the dance floor and you can never be bored. Unlike other songs from the album, you have no trouble memorizing the lyrics and singing along. The enthusiasm of Vishal Dadlani, the simple choreography of Remo D'Souza and the impeccable chemistry of Deepika and Ranbir make it an absolute treat to watch.
Others from the album: Almost all songs from the album were loved by everyone. Badtameez Dil, Ghaghra and Dilliwali Girlfriend rocked the charts and the dance floors alike. Kabira and Ilahi provided a much needed balance in this album full of dance-numbers. But what this album did was much more than elate people with good music. It proved that you can have hit music without unnecessary skin show, pelvic thrusts, seductive choreography and vulgar lyrics. Quality doesn't need tantalization, and hopefully, 2014 will have more albums that demonstrate the same spirit.
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