2007 : Best Dance Numbers

I have divided the dance numbers into two genres. And then ranked them seperately
A. Party Dance Numbers
B. Hip-Hop


Category A - Party
Rank - Song Name - Movie
1) Deewangi Deewangi - Om Shanti Om
2) Sajna Ji Wari Wari - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
3) Bhool Bhulaiya - Bhool Bhulaiya
4) Dard-E-Disco - Om Shanti Om
5) Mauja Hi Mauja - Jab We Met
6) Hey Baby - Hey Baby
7) It's Rocking - Kya Love Story Hai
8) Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
9) Soni De Nakhre - Partner
10) Mast Kalandar - Hey Baby


Category B : Hip-Hop
Rank - Song Name - Movie
1) Rahem Kare - Cash
2) Move Your Body - Johny Gaddar
3) Ab To Forever - Ta Ra Rum Pum
4) Na Poochho - Cash
5) Naughty Naughty - Cash
6) Mahiya - Awarapan

A few more songs that deserve a mention but could not make it to the rankings :
· Yeh Dooriyan - Fool N Final
· Unke Nashe Mein - Shootout At Lokhandwala
· Yara Dhol Bajake - Dhol
· Dilruba - Namaste London
· Nach Le Soniye - Dus Kahaniyan

2007 : Best Soundtracks

The parameters based on which these rankings have been arrived at are as follows :
1) Variety of Songs in the album - An album that has a mix of Melody, Dance, Love Songs etc. would be rate higher than an album having all good songs but of the same genre
2) Number of Good Songs in the album - How many good tunes are there in the album is also an important factor. An album having one exceptionally good song would be rated lower than an album having all good songs
3) Background orchestra on the songs - It's not just about the song's tune. Song's orchestration and packaging also makes a difference
4) Commercial success of the Soundtrack - An album that had good songs but went totally unnoticed has not been ranked very highly. I'll be mentioning them in a seperate blog


Ranking Movie Name
1 Om Shanti Om
2 Life In A Metro
3 Khoya Khoya Chand
4 Jab We Met
5 Guru
6 Salaam-E-Ishq
7 Namaste London
8 Sawariya
9 Taare Zameen Par
10 The Train
11 Dus Kahaniyan
12 Just Married
13 Awarapan
14 Cash
15 Bhool Bhulaiya


A few soundtracks that had really good songs but could not make it to the rankings :
· Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
· Chak De India
· Hey Baby
· Anwar
· Dhokha
· Dil Dosti Etc
· Manorama
· Shootout At Lokhandwala

2007 : Bollywood Music Rankings

I’ve just started this new series of my blogs.

I’ll be rating the Hindi Film Music that released during 2007 under various categories and parameters.

Your feedback is always welcome.

Sawariya : Music Review

Music Director : Monty Sharma
This guy used to work under Ismail Darbar as an Assistant. He had met Sanjay during HDDCS and Devdas.
Lyricist : Sameer

Tracks in alphabetical order :

• Chhabeela : A pretty average track. Lyrics aren’t great either. The song would have sounded better if someone with a naughty voice had sung it. Alisha could have done it better. Asha Bhosle would have been the perfect choice.
• Daras Bina Chain Nahin : I couldn’t bear the track beyond 1:30 minutes. Simply shouting Sawariya / Allah wouldn’t help the track. I found it sensible enough to move on to the next track.
• Jaan-e-Jaan : A decently melodious track. The song goes up and down at regular intervals. The song becomes really soft for the last two lines of each stanza. This is something really different tried by Monty. But I doubt if this song has much of a repeat value.
• Jab Se Tere Naina : One of my favourite tracks of the album. A typical Shaan track. After a long time I’m hearing Dhafli being played in the background of a song. Good job Monty!
• Masha Allah : Nice lyrics, Kunal Ganjawala has sung the song well. But he sounds too nasal at several places. That’s second good composition of the Album.
• Pari : Kunal Ganjawala gets to sing once again. Not impressive.
• Sawar Gayi : Shreya Ghoshal deserves all credit for this one. Though it isn’t a great song by any standards, but her sweet and melodious voice made me hear the whole song. By the time the song ended, I’d started liking it a little more than earlier.
• Sawariya : Everything about this song is EXCELLENT. Be it the guitar chords at the beginning or the chorus sounds or the lyrics. The composition is really beautiful. But if there is one individual to whom the song really belongs, it is debutante Shail Hada. He’s done a marvelous job. This is the first time I’ve heard some good yoodeling after Late Kishore Da. The best song of the album. So let’s sing - Sawariya ha ha ha ha.
• Sawariya (Reprise) : This is an unplugged version of the song. The focus is more on vocals and Shail Hada doesn’t disappoint here either. The lyrics are also re-written for this version. Observe the control he has over his voice in the last line of the Mukhda.
• Thode Badmash : Shreya seems to be the favourite singer of Monty. A nice melodious composition. The composition has a flavour of Bairi Piya (Devdas).
• Yun Shabnami : This song has the most variations (rather surprises). In the beginning you’ll feel like you’re listening to another soft and soulful number. But soon the song picks a little pace. Then you hear a beautiful jugalbandi of Violin and Sitar. Then the song turns into a qawwali. Finally the song ends the way it started - a soft and soulful number. Good work!!! Sheer Talent!!!

Monty has done a splendid job. The whole album isn’t upto the mark. But there are some really good compositions.
Monty’s made a mark and he’s here to stay.

Rating : 3/5

Om Shanti Om : Music Review

As promised in my previous blog, here comes a Music Review of Om Shanti Om.

The tracks (in alphabetical order) :

• Ajab Si : A great piece of melody composed by Vishal-Shekhar. They have proved that they aren't good in just that Hip-Hop genre. KK as usual has sung well. The surprise here is the lyrics by none other than Vishal Dadlani (the composer) himself. Even though he's been a lyricist for quiet a while now with credits like Tere Ishq Mein (Supari), Ek Nazar Mein Bhi, Mumbai Nagariya and Meter Down (Taxi No. 9-2-11), Kiss of Love (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom). This is definitely his best work till date.



• Dard-E-Disco : The track starts with an Arabic touch. Sukhwinder impresses once again with this high-pitched song. This song would definitely rock the parties / clubs and discotheques for the next couple of months. Though the lyrics aren't great - "Dil Todh Gaya Mooh Modh Gaya, Woh Pichhle Mahine Ki Chhabbis Ko." But Javed Akhtar did mention in an interview that the lyrics have been written considering the plot of the movie and the situation of the song.
  
  
• Dard-E-Disco (Remix) : No comments on the remix. Just added some pace to the song with a few English lyrics here and there.



• Dastan-E Om Shanti Om : This song would definitely remind you of Ek Haseena Thi from Karz. Hats off to the lyrics by Javed Akhtar. The lyrics are so good, you feel like someone’s narrating a story to you. The other two good narrative songs which I can recall are Mere Paas Aao Mere Doston (Mr. Natwarlal) and Ek Haseena Thi (Karz).



• Dastan (Remix) : A remix again. No comments.



• Deewangi : Shaan and Udit Narayan team up yet again to deliver this foot tapping number after the Title Song of Partner. Female voices couldn't have been better than the husky Sunidhi and melodious Shreya. Farah Khan kept up to her promise and gave a chance to Rahul Saxena of Indian Idol 1 (though he gets to sings just one line - last line of second stanza). My favourite part of the song - "All the Cool Boys Come On Make Some Noise And Sing Om Shanti Om" in Sunidhi Chauhan's voice.



• Deewangi (Remix) : Another remix.



• Dhoom Tana : The moment the song starts, you'll start visualising Jeetendra dancing with Jayaprada/Sridevi on a beach side/hillock with Gulal flying all over the place. The song has that trademark tempo of Bappi Lahri compositions - Naino Mein Sapna (Himmatwala), Ek Ankh Maroon To Rasta Ruk Jaye (Tohfa). The sounds of Dhol and Ghungroo run throughout the song in background, it fades a bit for the first two lines of each stanza and then suddenly comes back like a traditional Punjabi folk song. The bit sung in chorus - "Dhoom Tana Tanum Ta Na Na Na Na" is also nice. And yes, do observe the pace the track picks for the last 42 seconds. It's that typical Dhol sound heard in Panju marriages. Abhijeet and Shreya Ghoshal are perfect voices for this track.



• Jag Soona Soona Lage : Amazing poetry by Javed Akhtar once again. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's voice has a magical touch, you'll always feel like listening to the song one more time. And I'm sure it's gonna run in the Movie's background many times like Rahat's earlier songs - Mann Ki Lagan (Paap), Jiya Dhadak Dhadak (Kalyug), Bol Na Halke Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) and Main Jahan Rahoon (Namaste London).



• Main Agar Kahoon : Sonu Nigam is undoubtedly the best singer in Bollywood today. And he proves it yet again with this song. He has carried the song so well without any great instrumentation except for a light sound of Piano. Shreya Ghoshal also joins in the second stanza. When it comes to melodious duets nobody can beat these two (of the current breed of singers), be it Piyu Bole and Kasto Maza (Parineeta), Pal Pal Har Pal (Lage Raho Munnabhai), Janeman (Aryan).



• Om Shanti Om (Medley) : This is like a trailer of the album. The transition from one track to another has been done beautifully by Vishal-Shekhar.



• Om Shanti Om (Theme Music) : This one is a small one lasting just 57 seconds. But it's the same tone that you hear in almost all the songs in the Album.

Vishal-Shekhar have done a really done a great job. I would rate this as one of the Best Albums of 2007.

Rating : 4/5

Vishal-Shekhar...

I have always loved the music of Vishal Shekhar and wanted to write a blog on them.

Their music has amazing melody coupled with heavy westernized orchestration. Shekhar is a trained Indian Classical Singer. On the other hand, Vishal is the lead singer of Mumbai-based Rock Ban Pentagram. Hence, their music is a combination of Indian Classical and Western Rock.

The kind of instrumentations they use can only be beaten by A.R. Rahman in Bollywood Music Industry.

A few (FEW... a pretty long list) of my favourite tracks composed by the Vishal-Shekhar duo :

• Allah Ke Bande - Waisa Bhi Hota Hai
• Sajna Aa Bhi Ja - Waisa Bhi Hota Hai
• Dus Bahane - Dus
• Deedar De - Dus
• Right Here Right Now - Bluff Master
• Say Na Say Na - Bluff Master
• Rahem Kare - Cash
• Na Poochho - Cash
• Mind Blowing Mahiya - Cash
• Cash (Title Track) - Cash
• Zindagi Mein Koi Kabhi - Musafir
• Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na - Musafir
• Saqi - Musafir
• Tu Ashiqui Hai - Jhankar Beats
• Dil Ne Tumko - Jhankar Beats
• What’s Going On - Salaam Namaste
• Subah Subah - I See You
• Kehna Hai Jo - I See You
• Kyon Aage Peechhe - Golmaal
• Golmaal (Title Track) - Golmaal
• Aazmale Aazmale - Taxi No. 9-2-11
• Ek Nazar Mein Bhi - Taxi No. 9-2-11
• Bumbai Nagariya - Taxi No. 9-2-11
• Meter Down - Taxi No. 9-2-11
• Musu Musu - Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
• Woh Pehli Baar - Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
• Yeh Hai Meri Kahani - Zinda
• Har Saans - Zinda
• Zinda Hoon Main - Zinda
• Tinka Tinka - Karam
• Saiyan - Ta Ra Rum Pum
• Ab To Forever - Ta Ra Rum Pum
• Hey Shona - Ta Ra Rum Pum
• Sajna Ji Wari Wari - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
• Halke Halke - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

I just wish they continue giving such wonderful music which is a treat for the ears of all music lovers.

Their latest album Om Shanti Om also has fabulous music. I’ll be writing another blog on it soon.

So keep waiting !

Ekta Mein Anekta

(The Sister Humming)
Hmmm
Hind Desh

Hmmm
Hum Sabhi Ek Hain

Ta Ra Ra Ra Ra
Bhasha Anek Hain

Hmmm
Bhasha Anek Hain

Hmmm

(Brother Comes)
Yeh Anek Kya Hai Didi?

(Sister)
Anek Yani Bahut Sare

(Brother)
Bahut Sare
Kya Bahut Sare?

(Sister)
Achha Batati Hoon

(Sister Commentary)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek
Tare Anek

(Brother)
Taron Ko Anek Bhi Kehte Hain?

(Sister)
Nahin Nahin Dekho Phir Se

(Sister Starts Singing)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek
Ek-Ek-Ek Karke, Tare Bhaye Anek

(Brother)
Theek Se Samjhao Na Didi

(Sister)
Dekho-Dekho Ek Gilahri
Peechhe Peechhe Anek Gilahriyan

Ek Titli
Ek Aur Titli
Ek-Ek-Ek Karke, Ho Gayi Ab Anek Titliiyan

(Brother)
Samajh Gaya Didi
Ek Ungli
Anek Ungliyan

(Sister)
Haan

(Brother)
Didi-Didi Woh Dekho Anek Chidiya

(Sister)
Anek Chidiyon Ki Kahani Sunoge?

(Brother)
Haan-Haan

(The Sister Singing)
Aa aa aa
Ek Chidiya
Ek-Ek Karke, Anek Chidiyan
Dana Chugne Aayi Chidiyan

(More Friends)
Didi Humein Bhi Sunao Na

(Sister)
To Suno Phir Se
Ek Chidiya
Anek Chidiyan
Dana Chugne Baith Gayi Thi

Hai Ram
Par Wahan Byal Ne Ek Jaal Bichhaya Tha

(Brother)
Byal, Byal Kaun Didi?

(Sister)
Byal, Chidiya Pakadne Wala

(Brother)
Phir Kya Hua Didi?
Byal Ne Unhein Pakad Liya?
Maar Dala?

(Sister)
Himmat Se Gar Jut Rahe To
Chhote Ho Kar Mil Rahe To
Bada Kaam Bhi, Ho Gaye Bhaiya
Bada Kaam Bhi, Ho Gaye Bhaiya

Ek-Do-Teen

Chatur Chidiyan
Sayani Chidiyan
Mil Julkar
Jaal Lekar
Bhagi Chidiyan

Phurrr

Door Ek Gaon Ke Paas Chidiyon Ke Dost Choohe Rehte The
Aur Unhonein Chidiyon Ka Jaal Kaat Diya

To Dekha Phir Tumne
Anek Jab Ek Ho Jate Hain
To Kaisa Maza Aata Hai

(Brother Closing Fist)
Didi Main Bataoon?
Ho Gaye Ek
Ban Gayi Takat
Ban Gayi Himmat

(Friends)
Didi Agar Hum Ek Ho Jayein To Bada Kaam Kar Sakte Hain?

(Sister)
Haan-Haan, Kyun Nahin?

(Brother)
To Is Pedh Ke Aam Bhi Todh Sakte Hain?

(Sister)
Haan Todh Sakte Hain
Par Jugat Lagani Hogi

(Friends)
Achha Yeh Jugat
Wah Bada Maza Ayega

Hahaha
Hahaha

(Sister)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Friends)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Sister)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Friends)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Sister)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Friends)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Sister)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Friends)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Sister)
Ek

(Friends)
Anek

(Sister)
Ek

(Friends)
Anek

(Sister)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek

(Friends)
Tare Anek

(Sister)
Ek Titli

(Friends)
Anek Titliiyan

(Sister)
Ek Gilahri

(Friends)
Anek Gilahriyan

(Sister)
Ek Chidiya

(Friends)
Ek-Ek Anek Chidiyan

(Sister)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Friends)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Sister)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Friends)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Sister)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Friends)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Sister)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Friends)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai