| Song: Salaam-E-Ishq Album: Muqaddar Ka Sikandar Type: Bollywood Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar Music Director: Kalyanji-Anandji Lyricist: Anjaan Rating: 4.7 This is lot more than just the mujra song. For me this song’s highlight is Kishore Kumar’s entry alaap – intense soul packed in ten seconds. |
| Song: Vellai Pura Ondru Album: Puthu Kavithai Type: Koliwood Singers: Yesudas Music Director: Ilaiyaraaja Lyricist: Vairamuthu Rating: 5.0 One of my all-time favorites. Someone I know wondered why many participants in Mallu talent shows try to sound like Yesudas. Valid question…. for someone who did not grow up listening to gems like this. For those who did, Yesduas’ voice is perfection and pursuing perfection isn’t such a bad thing. |
| Song: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Album: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Type: Bollywood Singers: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik Music Director: Jatin-Lalit Lyricist: Sameer Rating: 4.4 THE love ballad of the late 90s. |
| Song: Kattadi Album: Classmates Type: Mollywood Singers: Vidhu Prathap, Reju Joseph, Ramesh Babu, Cicily Music Director: Alex Paul Lyricist: Vayalar Chandravarma Rating: 4.4 The ultimate friendship song. Mellow, hummable, feel-good. |
| Song: Cryin’ Album: Big Ones Type: Rock Artist: Aerosmith Rating: 4.3 Hot song, hotter video. I miss MTV! |
| Song: Jannat Jahan Album: Jannat Type: Bollywood Singers: Rupam Islam Music Director: Pritam Lyricist: Sayeed Quadri Rating: 3.7 Nice rock ballad. The short keyboard piece reminds of Manfred Mann. |
| Song: Fat Man Album: Aqua Lung Type: Rock Artist: Jethro Tull Rating: 3.3 An unsual but interesting song. Listen to it for some neat percussions and of course, Ian Anderson’s flute. |
| Song: Tu Is Tarah Se Album: Aap To Aise Na The Type: Bollywood Singers: Mohd Rafi Music Director: Usha Khanna Lyricist: Nida Fazil Rating: 3.9 The song launches almost (but not quite) like a rock number and transitions into a mellow ghazal. Interesting instrumentals. |
| Song: Main Hoon Don Album: Don – The Chase Begins Type: Bollywood Singers: Shaan Music Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Lyricist: Javed Akhtar Rating: 3.3 OK song with a Mission Impossible inspired guitar riff |
| Song: Sham-E Firaq Album: The Very Best Of Abida Parveen Type: Sufi Singers: Abida Parveen Lyricist: Faiz Ahmad Faiz Rating: 4.1 A pretty long song at 8 plus minutes. Spend time with it when you’re feeling down and need something to massage your soul. |