Like so many years in the recent past, 2010 has left us with many mediocre songs and soundtracks that have already been relegated to the trash-bin. But wait, it has not been a total washout year either. There were quite a few really interesting numbers – both in the mellow, mushy, melodious category and in the chirpy, upbeat dance-track category. Here is a round-up of my favourite songs of the year.
The Melody Is the Queen
Say what you may, Indian mind has always been a sucker for good melodies steeped in heartfelt emotions. The year 2010 did present some wonderful songs in this category.
Salim’s ‘Aye Khuda Kuchh To Bata’ (Paathshaala); Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Sajda’ (My Name Is Khan) and ‘Tu Na Jaaane Aaspaas Hai Khuda’ (Anjaanaa Aanjaani) were numbers that touched the chords of heart with their Sufi spirituality. Rahat continued his superb performances throughout this year and his romantic songs – ‘Dil To Bachcha Hai Jee’ (Ishqiya), ‘Tere Mast Mast Do Nain’ (Dabbang), ‘Bahara’ (I Hate Luv Storys) and ‘Sureeli Ankhiyonwale’ (Veer) were easily some of the best songs on display.
Mohit Chauhan was another singer, who impressed this year and his ‘Pee Loon’ (Once Upon A Time In Mumbai) and ‘Man Lafanga’ (Lafange Parindey) were two superb love-songs. Shafaqat Amanat Ali Khan and Sundihi Chauhan poured their hearts out in a touching sentimental song ‘Bin Tere’ (I Hate Luv Storys). But to tell you the truth, I liked the song’s solo version in Shekhar Ravjiani’s voice even more. Other composers who sang their way into our hearts were Aadesh Shrivastav with his beautifully modernized classical song ‘Mora Piya Mose Bolat Naahi’ (Rajneeti) and Amit Trivedi with his soft romantic ballad ‘Shaam’ (Aisha). Anupam Amod- rendered ‘Saudebaazi’ (Aakrosh) was a clever reworking of ‘Shining in the setting sun’ – part from ‘Tera Hone Laga Hoon’ (Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani).
Two brilliant socio-politically charged numbers were Piyush Mishra’s ‘Duniya’ (Gulaal) and Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Dhan Dhan Dharti Re’ (Rajneeti). While the former was a take-off on S.D. – Rafi’s Pyaasa –classic ‘Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye’, then the latter had its origins in the ever-inspiring patriotic song ‘Vande Mataram’.
Shreya Ghoshal made it count whenever she got an opportunity to go solo. Her songs ‘O Bekhabar’, ‘Baaki Main Bhool Gayi’ (both from Action Replayy), ‘Bahara’ (I Hate Luv Storys) and ‘Aadha Ishq’ (Band Baaja Baarat) bore ample testimony to her vocal talent.
Fun and Dance
The entire soundtrack of Housefull was a fun-ride with songs like ‘O Girl You Are Mine’, ‘Hush Hush Hush Papa Is Sleeping’ and ‘I Don’t Know What To Do’. The Punjabi dhol-beat remained dominant in dance-tracks like ‘Gal Mitthi Mitthi Bol’ (Aisha), ‘Zor Ka Jhatka’ (Action Replayy) and ‘Ainvay Ainvay’ (Band Baajaa Baarat). The Rock ’N’ Roll was also not too far behind in making feet tap through songs like ‘I Hate Luve Storys’ and ‘Anjaana Anjaani’.
Sonu Nigam made some headlines by claiming to have sung in 54 voices for the title-song of Tees Mar Khan. But Sunidhi Chauhan upstaged him in that album through a sizzling ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’.
But the top spot in this category was hogged by a folksy song from UP- Bihar belt. The Dabangg- chartbuster ‘Munni Badnaam Huyi’ where Mamta Sharma’s sensuous raunchy vocals provided the perfect backdrop for Malaika Arora’s on-screen sultry gyrations!
2010: Top 10 Songs
2010: Top 5 Soundtracks
<>5.Lafangey Parindey
Kesariya Balam