MY FAVORITE SONGS BY SHANKAR-EHSAAN-LOY

Over these years, if there is one composer team for which my respect has increased manifold, it is the trio of "Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy".

They have continuously catered to the tastes of all kinds of people of all age groups. I doubt if there is any genre which they haven't explored, and they have excelled in every one of them – be it romantic, dance tracks or classical.

Below is a list of my favorite SEL songs. It is a mix of few expected ones and few unusual ones. And yes, there is not a single song of "Mirzya" on this list. For reasons unknown, that soundtrack never fascinated me beyond a certain point. Not that it was bad, but it doesn't feature in my list. Also, I have restricted this list to hindi songs and thus not included "Katyar Kaljyat Ghusali" which in its entirety was a masterpiece.

(IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. KITNI BAATEIN (LAKSHYA)

Sung by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam, this gem took time to grow, but it remains my favorite track from the movie. The piano helps create the morose mood throughout the song.

2. RIND POSH MAAL (MISSION KASHMIR)

One of the trio's earlier albums, this song is a magnificent piece with a phenomenal second antara with some lovely lyrics.

3. KAISI HAI YEH RUT (DIL CHAHTA HAI)

It is such an irony that the best song of the album was initially not a part of the film. Sung by Srinivas, this song never fails to calm your senses. And what a lovely guitar hook!

4. TU HI BATA ZINDAGI (ARMAAN)

One of SEL's underrated albums, this song was the best. Available in a male and female version, I love the one by Roopkumar Rathod more.

5. AAO NA/ PYAAR MEIN SAU ULJHANE (KYON HO GAYA NA?)

I had to include both as I love both of them equally. The former is one of the best tunes composed by SEL with some out-of-the-world singing by Sadhana Sargam & Udit Narayan. The other track "Pyaar mein sau uljhane" has fascinated me since the time I first heard it on TV prior to the film's release. I found the entire idea of escalating the speed of the song while keeping the base tune common to be novel. (Reminded me of Pyaar humein kis mod pe le aaya)

The way it starts off at a slow pace and then gradually increases the tempo was beautifully done, reaching a crescendo which is elevated to new heights by  Shankar Mahadevan's singing.

6. MERA JAHAAN (TAARE ZAMEEN PAR)

A beautiful song which got less attention compared to the other songs of the album, this one is sung so well by Adnan Sami. One big contributing factor was the video of this song – very well shot by the director (Or Creative director).

7. KITNI NARMI SE (DIL JO BHI KAHEY)

This song is one of my all time favorite songs. Sung by Sonu Nigam, this is a simple melody but composed very well. The tune of the antara is even better. The film tanked at the box office despite having Big B, and thus no one took notice of the song as well. Infact, there was another holi song in this film titled "C'est la vie" which was also pretty good.

8. TUM HO TOH (ROCK ON)

I have never been a die-hard fan of Farhan Akhtar, but I loved his singing in Rock on. Full credit goes to the composers for composing the songs and tunes in such a way that Farhan never sounded off-tune. This song remains my favorite from the film as it is sung very well by Farhan, especially the high falsetto notes.

9. TERE NAINA (CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA)

I have always felt that Nikhil Advani & Shaad Ali extract the best out of SEL, however mediocre their films might be. Just like Mani Ratnam does to Rahman.

This film, however bad it might have been, had one of the most gorgeous songs of all time. What a beautiful composition and such lovely rendition by Shankar Mahadevan!

10. SAPNO SE BHARE NAINA (LUCK BY CHANCE)

Luck by Chance had a great soundtrack, rather a diverse soundtrack. This song stands out definitely due to the nice composition but mainly due to Shankar Mahadevan's terrific classical singing.

11. REHAM O KARAM (WE ARE FAMILY)

I have always felt that Vishal Dadlani as a singer has performed the best when he has sung songs composed by SEL (Apart from the ones composed by Shekhar and himself).

This song is a highly HIGHLY underrated song where Vishal and Shankar Mahadevan together give a splendid song. Infact, I pretty much liked the soundtrack of this album.

12. KHWAB (LONDON DREAMS)

This was one soundtrack which definitely deserved a better film. There are other good songs in the album, but this less known song is the one I love the most. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shankar Mahadevan are two stalwarts and when they get together, the result is nothing short of magical. A jugalbandi of sorts, this song also forms the climax of the film.

13. JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM/BOL NA HALKE HALKE

It is difficult to pick a single song from this album. "Bol Na Halke" remains one of the best romantic songs created by SEL. Whereas all the variants of the title track are excellent. Every single version has its own positives. Even today, I find both these songs as fresh as they were when they released.

  

14. NOOR – E – KHUDA (MY NAME IS KHAN)

Again, this is a beautiful song which got commercially overshadowed by two other great songs "Tere Naina" and "Sajda". Adnan Sami sounds awesome. Shankar Mahadevan compliments him too well. Shreya Ghoshal makes a late and brief entry but is flawless.

15. ROLA PE GAYA (PATIALA HOUSE)

One of the trio's best soundtracks, this song is so catchy and energetic that it is difficult to sit quietly while listening to it. The best thing about the song was the fusion of the folk bhangra portions and the club bhangra portions. The transition from one to the other is as smooth as butter.

16. SOJA CHANDA (MISSION KASHMIR)

This is probably the best lullaby to have been composed in the last two decades. (99 Songs has Rahman giving close competition in the form of "O Mera Chaand")

Mahalaxmi Iyer is sublime. And what arrangements! Minimal but beautiful.

17. MURSHID KHELE HOLI (D-DAY)

Another underrated album containing some lovely gems with a strong classical base, this song in particular is an audio orgasm as Javed Ali along with 6 other singers takes us on a breathtaking journey. Some amazing variations and a climactic end will leave you amazed.

18. MAST MAGAN (2 STATES)

How can I not include this song? Even today after 6 years, it sounds fresh and brilliant. Two things are responsible – firstly the gorgeous melody composed by SEL and secondly, some outstanding singing by Arijit Singh.

19. SAJDE (KILL DILL)

Gulzar mouthing some amazing lyrics, Arijit Singh & Nihira Joshi singing some superb lines and a waterdrop background score – what more do you need!

A beautiful song which didn't get its due.

20. GARAJ GARAJ JUGALBANDI (BANDISH BANDITS)

Again, this is one album which in its entirety is a beauty. To select one song would be criminal. Songs like "Labb Par Aaye", "Virah", "Dhara Hogi" are excellent. However this particular song is an experience. Literally. It is the kind of song which makes you go weak in the knees and gives you goosebumps. And the climax – well, it literally is a climax in all ways!

SOME HONORABLE MENTIONS

• LAZY LAMHE (THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC)
• DHEERE DHEERE (KYON HO GAYA NA?)
• DHOOP KE SIKKE (SIKANDAR)
• VIJAYI BHAVA (MANIKARNIKA)
• OVE JAANIYA (KATTI BATTI)
• BOLO NA (CHITTAGONG)
• AADAT HAI WOH (PATIALA HOUSE)
• TUMHI DEKHO NA (KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA)
• HEARTBEAT INSTRUMENTAL (KAL HO NA HO)
• MAA (TAARE ZAMEEN PAR)
• YAARON (ROCKFORD)
• KEHTI HAI YEH HAWAA (KUCH NA KAHO)

I have created a youtube playlist of all the above songs, the link of which is HERE

Do let me know in the comments what all songs of SEL are your favorite ones.

T