Kishore Kumar’s Top 10 Songs

This list is to celebrate the music and life of the greatest entertainer that ever lived. Kishore had a special song for every mood. Hence it is almost impossible to categorize the best songs in one list without raising an objection of some sorts. This very list written on another day would probably have a different content. 


1. Mere Saamnewali Khidki Mein (Padosan)  Music: RD Burman 
A track as brilliant as the movie it was featured in. A simple, but amazing blend of romance and comedy. Rajendra Krishan’s effective lyrics enabled Kishore to adopt a laid back easy going approach, which jelled well with the backing band.  Kishore appeared in a supporting role in the movie apart from taking vocal duties. 



2. Chalte Chalte  (Chalte Chalte)  Music: Bappi Lahiri
One of the best composed hindi songs ever, right from the guitar intro to Kishore’s hummed out outro. A young Bappi Lahiri deserves his round of appreciation. Often one cannot help but get teary eyed when getting lost in this track. 



3. Dilber Mere (Satte pe satta)  Music: RD Burman
The heartfelt song from the Amitabh Bachchan starrer, is an example of a mature Kishore at his melodic best. Kishore’s voice is well complemented by Anette Pinto’s opera like vocal break along with the extensive use of violins on the track. This was one of the last songs he did for Amitabh Bachchan, as the relations between the two stars strained shortly.



4. Saagar Jaisi Aankhonwali (Saagar)  Music: RD Burman
Kishore became the voice of the romantic hero Rishi Kapoor, on this 1985 hit from the movie ‘Saagar.’ By this time Kishore had been in the industry since a long time, but he only seemed to get better with age. Probably no one else could do such good justice to Javed Akhtar’s beautiful lyrics.  



5. Saagar Kinare (Saagar)  Music: RD Burman
Another song from ‘Saagar.’ The melodious duet with Lata Mangeshkar won Kishore a filmare for Best Playback Singer. The power trio of Lata, Kishore & Burman rarely fell flat and reminds us of what was and what will never be.  



6. Roop Tera Mastana (Aradhana)  Music: SD Burman
Kishore in a flirtatious mood may be more so than Rajesh Khanna himself. It was amazing how Kishore’s music could be so sexual yet not have a hint of vulgarity. A real lesson for today’s musicians.  Inspite of remix versions which completely massacred the song, ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ is still a timeless classic. 



7. Mere Sapnon Ki Rani (Aradhana)  Music: SD Burman
This is the song that propelled Kishore to the status of the Biggest Playback singer in India. Inspite of having Mohammed Rafi work on the album, Kishore completely overshadowed the great singer. The sheer fun and innocence of this song has an endless charm much like the Toy Train in Darjeeling on which the song is shot.


8. Eena Meena Deeka (Aasha)  Music: C. Ramchandra
A real rock n roller. The lyrics were nonsense. They really were. They were just randolm words which rhymed. But that didn’t stop him from having fun. More than half a century on this track can still get people to shake a leg and swing. 


9. Aanewala Pal (Gol Maal)  Music: RD Burman
Gulzar’s beautiful lyrics could raise one’s hair on end. This is music at it’s finest. Kishore’s vocals have the power to melt a stone. The song although uncharacteristic of the rest of the movie has been executed so brilliantly that one can’t help but get lost in the moment. Just pure magic.



10. Rafta Rafta (Kahani Kismat Ki)  Music: AV Shah & KV Shah 
A song to get the pulses running. Kishore getting the highly unsuited Dharmendra, to shake his hip while teasingly chase the gorgeous Rekha. One of the many faces Kishore wore. After listening to this one has to wonder if there was any style he couldn’t sing in.