| Song: Stand By Me Album: Don’t Play That Song Type: Soul/R&B Artist: Ben E. King Rating: 5.0 The trigger for this FFP – the much hyped usage of Stand By Me in Dildara from Ra.One. I have seen only the promo clip of Dildara and though though some parts are predictable, I liked what I heard. But I am disappointed that some people dismiss the song simply because of the Stand By Me chorus. Given that the use of Stand By Me is with permission and credited and Dildara has original treatment, I don’t have a problem. And it’s hardly the first time people have looked to Stand By Me for inspiration – It’s been covered more than 400 times. And guess what, even John Lennon and Elton John have covered the song. About Stand By Me – Ben E King had actually composed the song for another band but decided to sing it himself when the band said no. It’s a really simple song – a double bass (killer!), a shaker, a few strings and some understated backup vocals. The song derives its power from King’s soulful voice and the lyrics. iTunes US iTunes UK iTunes Canada Flipkart |
| Song: Karale Karalinte Album: Udayanaanu Tharam Type: Mollywood Singer: Vineeth Srinivasan, Rimi Tomy Music Director: Deepak Dev Lyricist: Kaithapram Rating: 4.4 A cool, fresh song guaranteed to cheer you up. Really love Vineeth’s singing in this one. The only thing I can’t place is the sense of familiarity when I hear this song. Does anyone know if the song is “inspired”? Video. |
| Song: Tauba Tumhare Ye Ishare Album: Chalte Chalte Type: Bollywood Singer: Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik Music Director: Jatin – Lalit Lyricist: Javed Akhtar Rating: 3.9 Except for the jarring percussions, it’s not a bad song. Tailor-made for Abhijeet. iTunes US iTunes UK iTunes Canada Flipkart |
| Song: Vellai Pookal Album: Kannathil Muththamittal Type: Koliwood Singer: A.R. Rahman Music Director: A.R. Rahman Lyricist: Vairamuthu Rating: 5.0 I am not a big fan of Rahman singing for his own compositions. Of late, I think he’s been singing songs that don’t fall in his sweet spot. But “Vellai Pookal” is something else. His singing is subtle and heart-felt and the composition enhances his voice. It’s a mostly acoustic track and it’s got a small, solo flute piece (Naveen Kumar?) which I absolutley love in Rahman’s songs. I was lucky enough to watch Rahman performing this live once – killer! |
| Song: Oru Naru Pushpamaay Album: Megha Malhar Type: Mollywood Singer: Chitra Music Director: Ramesh Narayan Lyricist: O.N.V. Kurup Rating: 5.0 While Bollywood has pretty much washed it’s hand off classical music, Malayalam movies have embraced it and music from that state is that much more richer because of it. And it’s not just Carnatic based music. Movies like Megha Malhar have used Hindustani music quite tasetfully. I am no classical music aficionado but I really enjoy semi-classical songs like “Oru Naru Pushpamaay” that make it easy for regular folks to appreciate classical music. Of course, it takes a genius like Chitra to pull something like this off. Not too many of those around. |
| Song: O Nigahen Mastana Album: Paying Guest Type: Bollywood Singer: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhonsle Music Director: S.D. Burman Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri Rating: 5.0 A light, carefree love duet. Although Asha gets credit in this song, it’s really Kishore’s flamboyant singing that dominates the song. That said, the song would not be what it is but for Asha’s “Mmhmm” – a delicious counterpoint to Kishore’s voice. This song has that Kishore signature (one of the earliest instances I think) where the music quiets down and Kishore sings in almost a whisper (beginning of last antara). Was it his or Burmanda’s idea? Pancham used this Kishore signature liberally in “Saagar Jaisi Ankhon Waali” (“Saagar”). iTunes US iTunes UK iTunes Canada Flipkart |
| Song: Aye Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal Album: Daag Type: Bollywood Singer: Talat Mahmood Music Director: Shankar – Jaikishan Lyricist: Shailendra Rating: 4.9 Great composition, powerful words, great singing, cool accordion. Any wonder why they say old is gold? iTunes US iTunes UK iTunes Canada Flipkart |
| Song: Jame Raho Album: Taare Zameen Par Type: Bollywood Singer: Vishal Dadlani Music Director: Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi Rating: 3.9 Not the most popular TZP track, but Jame Raho is actually a pretty good song. I like how the song alternates between a dark, ominous piece and a beautiful melodic piece sung by Shankar that almost does not fit in the song (wonder why he’s not credited on the song). While it is not the easiest listen, it is a cool song with a great message! iTunes US iTunes UKr iTunes Canada Flipkart |
| Song: Bulla Ki Jana Album: Rabbi Type: Indie Artist: Rabbi Shergill Rating: 4.9 This song is an example of music breaking the language barrier. I absolutely loved the song the first time I heard it even though I did not understand the words. Of course, the song became even better after I looked up the meaning of the Punjabi lyrics. Hats off to Rabbi Shergill for taking a Sufi poem (written by Bulleh Shah) and presenting it in a refreshing pop/rock format. The song dominated the air-waves in 2005 and one of the few chartbusters that truly deserve their success. Flipkart |
| Song: Arziyan Album: Delhi-6 Type: Bollywood Singer: Javed Ali, Kailash Kher, A.R. Rahman Music Director: A.R. Rahman Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi Rating: 4.9 It’s a shame that Bollywood does not use Javed Ali more often. The guy is a really good singer and in danger of becoming a wasted talent. ARR does the right thing by reinging in Kailash Kher for the most part and letting Javed’s soulful voice permeate through the song (not that I don’t like Kher’s voice, quite the opposite). A gem of a song from a gem of an album. iTunes US iTunes UK iTunes Canada Flipkart |