My Favourite Hindi Film Soundtracks - 2010

Two days ago I read this post about the best Hindi film soundtracks of 2010. I must say, I was disappointed with the article. Maybe my musical tastes do not match those of majority of the Indians and the site too, but missing out on a few really good soundtracks of the year after including Tees Maar Khan, Prince and Action Replayy is ridiculous, I feel. I was anyway about to write my post regarding my favourite Hindi film soundtracks of this year. Now I get an added reason to do so.

Not in any particular order, here we go.

1. Udaan (Composer: Amit Trivedi) - Can this guy ever get it wrong? After Aamir, Dev.D and Iktara in Wake Up Sid he came up with the soundtrack of perhaps the best Hindi film of 2010, Udaan. An untypical film demanded an untypical soundtrack, and that Amit Trivedi provided. My favourite from Udaan is Aazadiyan. The lyrics speak about freedom and liberation and that is exactly what the music feels like: liberation from the routine, monotonous music that composers in Hindi films had been providing. And although music in the rock genre may be his forte, he sure is adept at other genres too; fusion especially (more on this in the a little later.) Listen to Naav and Nadi Mein Talab Hain as well. The list mentioned above missed Udaan. Well, this list ensures that you shouldn't miss out on it like they did.

2. Aisha (Composer: Amit Trivedi) - And after Udaan, Trivedi followed it up with a commercial soundtrack in Aisha. But by 'commercial', he did not go to the ludicrous extents that other composers go to make their music commercial. Mixing various genres here (yes, that fusion I mentioned) he created a really eclectic soundtrack. From the rock of By the Way to the Punjabi folksy Gal Mitthi Mitthi Bol and from the acoustic Sham to the pop-ish title track, and how can one forget the soft-rock of Lehrein where he brought the piano and the violin together: absolutely melodious! This guy is here to stay.

3. Break Ke Baad (Composer: Vishal-Shekhar) - Vishal-Shekhar (VS) had composed music for I Hate Luv Storys (sic!) and Anjaana Anjaani before coming in to Break Ke Baad. All three films are romantic comedies and I didn't exactly like the music that the former two had. For Break Ke Baad, surprisingly though, VS went in for a more Western sound. The Indian feel was there too in Ajab Leher (where VS employed Neeraj Sridhar to sound amazingly different), but it was songs like Dhoop Ke Makaan, Dooriyan and Main Jiyoonga that had me swooning. It was probably the effect of working with a lyricist they had never worked before: Prasoon Joshi. But the results showed. And how!

4. Ishqiya (Composer: Vishal Bhardwaj) - Bhardwaj last composed music for his own film Kaminey last year and the music was a breakthrough hit. He composes again for debutant director Abhishek Chaubey and keeping with the rustic feel, yet thriller atmosphere of the film comes up with a suitable soundtrack. From the Spanish strumming of Dil Toh Bachcha Hain Jee to the electric guitar sounds on Ibn-E-Batuta, Bhardwaj really creates a fragrant blend. Badi Dheere Jali presents a classical tune in a slightly modern avatar. My favourite, though, remains Ab Mujhe Koi. A very soft track made even more soothing because of Rekha Bhardwaj's smooth voice. Enchanting.

Special Mention:

Peepli [Live] - The songs were not the typical Hindi film sound again. Indian Ocean collaborated on the soundtrack and provided an amazing track in Des Mera.

This was my list for 2010. Two songs that do not make my list, but I'm sure will make others' lists for Best Hindi song of 2010 will be Munni Badnaam Hui and Sheila Ki Jawani. Well, to each his own. But I really do not endorse the use of people's names in such a lyrical context. Freedom of expression, too, has its limits.

Looking ahead, 2011, I hope will be a good year for music too. Amit Trivedi has already started it on a bright note with the music for No One Killed Jessica. Watch out for him; this man knows no bounds. Next year, then.

The Soundtrack Of My Life!

Irrespective of whether a movie is good or not, one always remembers the soundtrack to a movie. No matter if the soundtrack contains an obscure "Sarkaye lo Khatiya" or a raunchy "Munni Badnaam Hui" or a superhit "Ande ka Funda" in a forgettable film. Inevitably even if the film is a dismal affair, the song will always register even if its heard after many years. And if the song was based on an iconic scene (Rocky's Eye of the Tiger) or used in a good film ((500) Days of Summer's You Make My Dreams), then it becomes an unforgettable experience.


What matters is, is that these songs always make for a splendid background to the happenings on screen. How I wish that I too had songs playing during some moments of my life. So now I list a humorous list of which songs I'd like playing at certain moments in my "dramatic" life!


Well, the songs listed below may not suit the moment musically because I'm going more on the lyrics here. That too, just a few appropriate lines!


My overall theme song: "...I am one of those melodramatic fools; neurotic to the bone, no doubt about it..." Green Day's 'Basket Case'.


While ranting on this blog: "Do you have the time to listen to me whine?" Green Day's 'Basket Case' again.


Completing impossible assignments: "I am in misery, there ain't nobody who can comfort me..." Maroon 5's 'Misery'.


While watching Inception: "Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you." Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'.


While driving drunk: "Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel" The Doors' 'Roadhouse Blues'.


While dealing with PR agencies: "Just have a little patience..." Take That's 'Patience'.


When I'm in a mood where I can't decipher how I feel or how to put it into words: "I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight..." U2's 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight'.


After the ticket seller at the ticket counter on the railway station closes his window: "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line..." ABBA's 'Take A Chance On Me'.


As an alternative to the four-letter F-expletive: "And I will try to fix you..." Coldplay's 'Fix You'.


When spreading message of peace and love: "Everybody's gonna love today, love today, love today..." Mika's 'Love Today'.


When I'm being too desperate: (Next two lines) "Anyway you want to, anyway you got to, love, love me..." Mika's 'Love Today'.


When writing a person's profile for a feature: "Tell me baby, what's your story, where you come from and where you wanna go this time?" Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Tell Me Baby'.


While having sex ::wink:: : "Now I'll fly you to the moon and back, if you'll be, if you'll be my baby..." Savage Garden's 'To The Moon And Back'.


While jumping onto a moving train to catch the window seat: "The kids don't stand a chance" Vampire Weekend's 'The Kids Don't Stand A Chance'.


When with friends: "You know I can't smile without you..." Barry Manilow's 'Can't Smile Without You'.

Melodious Raconteurs

Rarely does one find songs that tell a story; a good story is even more difficult to find. Around a couple of days ago, my friend Zena forwarded me a song which told a very beautiful story. (The song will be mentioned in the post). I then started thinking about the other songs which recite a story. And though I already knew some, I decided to find a few more. I downloaded the ones which caught my interest. And now I shall name those which I've come to like.

P.S.: For me, a song should have not only good lyrics, but also a good tune. So my favourites list here will have those songs that tell a good story as well as bear a melodious tune, though I will mention the other one of which I did not like the tune but had good lyrics.

1. Song: Cat's In The Cradle, Writers: Harry Chapin, Sandy Chapin, Version I Like: Ugly Kid Joe

And the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon
When you comin home, dad, I don’t know when,
But we'll get together then, Son,
You know we'll have a good time then.

Besides referencing three nursery rhymes in the chorus, Cat's In The Cradle talks about a deteriorating relationship between a father and his son. I'm not going to outline the entire story, for that you can check the lyrics and download the song, but just wanted to point out the way in which Sandy Chapin (Harry's wife) had brought to the fore the problems among parents and children in general. I really liked the cover version by Ugly Kid Joe.

2. Song: Last Kiss, Writer: Wayne Cochran, Version I Like: Pearl Jam (No doubt about that! Never heard of a single person who liked, or for that matter even heard, the original)

Oh, where oh where can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven, so I got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world. 

This is one of my favourite love songs too. Talks about the idea of undying love in a way no other song speaks of. One of the best stories ever, according to me, the original, I felt, was devoid of the emotion that should accompany it, which Pearl Jam's cover magnificently added to it. Plain magic!

3. Song: Coward Of The County, Writers: Roger Bowling, Billy Ed Wheeler. Version I Like: Kenny Rogers (the original)

"Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
Now it won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope you're old enough to understand:
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man."

This was the song Zena forwarded to me and even though I'd heard this song many times before I never knew what its name was. The lyrics of this song brought tears to my eyes. Enough said! (Not being melodramatic, and by the way, boys cry too!)

4. Song: Whiskey Lullaby, Writers: Bill Anderson, Jon Randall, Version I Liked: Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss (the original)

We found him with his face down in the pillow
With a note that said I'll love her till I die
And when we buried him beneath the willow
The angels sang a whiskey lullaby

If Last Kiss was about undying love, then Whiskey Lullaby is about broken love and its consequences. Set to a tearful tune, it is also beautifully sung by Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss.

5. Song: Fast Car, Writer: Tracy Chapman, Version I Liked: Tracy Chapman (the original)

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way 

Tracy Chapman has always been hailed as one of the best songwriters ever. This was her first single and it immediately made an impact. A storyteller of class, this song is "not really about a car at all... Basically it's about a relationship that doesn't work out because it's starting from the wrong place." (Chapman's words)

6: Song: Stan, Writer: Eminem, Dido Armstrong, Version I Liked: Eminem & Dido (Duh!!!)

See everything you say is real, and I respect you cause you tell it
My girlfriend's jealous cause I talk about you 24/7
But she don't know you like I know you Slim, no one does
She don't know what it was like for people like us growin up
You gotta call me man, I'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose
Sincerely yours, Stan -- P.S.
We should be together too

Funny, in your face, hilarious and yet scary, Stan is a gem of a story. And to think rappers otherwise only talk about money, women and sex; Stan stands out among rap songs.

7. Song: Mockingbird, Writer: M. Mathers, L. Resto, Version I Liked: Eminem

Now hush little baby, don't you cry
Everything's gonna be alright
Stiffen that upper lip up little lady, I told ya
Daddy's here to hold ya through the night
I know mommy's not here right now and we don't know why
We feel how we feel inside
It may seem a little crazy, pretty baby
But I promise momma's gon' be alright

I'm not a fan of Eminem, I don't like rap much as a genre, but Eminem is a really good songwriter. If Stan showed his humorous side, Mockingbird shows his serious one. More than a story this was a personal confession though, but a very sincere one at that.

8. Song: Hazard, Writer: Richard Marx, Version I Liked: Richard Marx

We used to walk down by the river
She loved to watch the sun go down
We used to walk along the river
And dream our way out of this town ... 

Hazard tells a depressing story of a lost love, it's a story that can really make one feel sad. Even Richard Marx's voice and the haunting music adds to the entire feel of the song.

And now some songs that did not make the list:

1. Johnny Cash's 'A Boy Named Sue'

2. Billy Joel's 'Scenes From An Italian Restaurant' (This is divided into 3 parts, the 3rd one is the place where the story occurs)

3. Madonna's 'American Pie' (Yes, I know the original is by Don McLean, and people might consider me insane for liking Madonna's version over McLean's. But well, that's my choice. About the lyrics, good storytelling, but somehow didn't feel it good enough to be on my list.)

4. Pat Boone & Trini Lopez's 'Speedy Gonzales' (Could this be counted as a story? That's a question mark, actually. But the song does tell us a story if you read through the lyrics. So I put it in this list.)

5. Kenny Rogers' 'The Gambler'

6. Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley's 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light'