Nidhi 
World Music Day (21st June) serves a generous dollop of musical treats to all the music lovers out there. Partaking in its symphony, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the most popular Bollywood songs over the last 5 decades. The Indian film industry is lauded worldwide for its melody. Here are some of the beautiful songs and soulful ghazals cherry-picked from its tuneful treasure trove.
Top 10 Songs of the 1970s
Our harmonious collection begins from the soothing 1970s albums. So without further ado, let’s take a melodic joy-ride.
1. Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hamein
Movie: Johny Mera Naam (1970)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: Kalyanji-Anandji
Actors: Dev Anand, Hema Malini
Song Mood: Wooing
2. Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye
Movie: Anand (1971)
Singer: Mukesh
Composer: Salil Chowdhury
Actor: Rajesh Khanna
Song Mood: Philosophical
3. Samne Ye Kaun Aaya
Movie: Jawani Diwani (1972)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: R.D. Burman
Actors: Randhir Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan
Song Mood: Playful
4. Pal Pal Dil ke Paas
Movie: Blackmail (1973)
Singer: Kishore Kumar
Composer: Kalyanji-Anandji
Actor/Actress: Raakhee and Dharmendra
Song Mood: Proposal
5. Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein
Movie: Ajnabee (1974)
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: R.D Burman
Actors: Rajesh Khanna, Zeenat Aman
Song Mood: Sensuous
6. Tere Bina Zindagi se Koi
Movie: Aandhi (1975)
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: R.D. Burman
Actors: Sanjeev Kumar, Suchitra Sen
Song Mood: Remorse
7. Tere Sang Pyaar Main Nahin Todna
Movie: Naagin (1976)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actors: Jeetendra, Reena Roy
Song Mood: Commitment
8. Kya Mausam Hai, Aye Deewan-e-Dil
Movie: Doosra Admi (1977)
Singer: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi
Composer: Rajesh Roshan
Actor/Actress: Rishi Kapoor, Rakhee, Shashi Kapoor
Song Mood: Being carefree in love, flashback
9. Akhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se
Movie: Akhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978)
Singer: Hemlata
Composer: Ravindra Jain
Actors: Ranjeeta, Sachin
Song Mood: Reverence in love
10. Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani
Movie: The Great Gambler (1979)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Composer: R.D. Burman
Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman
Song Mood: Romantic
Top 10 Songs of the 1980s
Bollywood music went through a new definition in the 1980s. In this decade, dance also gained huge momentum. Let’s have a look at the top 10 Bollywood songs here.
1. Ek Haseena Thi
Movie: Karz (1980)
Singers: Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actors: Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim, Raj Kiran, Simmi Grewal
Song Mood: Evoking memories for revenge
2. Hum Bane Tum Bane Ek Duje Ke Liye
Movie: Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, S. P. Balasubramaniam
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actors: Rati Agnihotri, Kamal Hassan
Song Mood: Belongingness
3. Dikhai Diye Yun
Movie: Bazar (1982)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Khayyam
Actors: Supriya Pathak, Farooq Sheikh, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah
Song Mood: Dedication to the beloved
4. Tu Mera Hero Hai
Movie: Hero (1983)
Singers: Anuradha Paudwal, Manhar Udhas
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actors: Jackie Shroff, Meenakshi Sheshadri
Song Mood: Confession of love
5. Jaane Kya Baat Hai
Movie: Sunny (1984)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: R.D. Burman
Actors: Sunny Deol, Amrita Singh
Song Mood: Thoughts of beloved
6. Sach Mere Yaar Hai
Movie: Saagar (1985)
Singer: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Composer: R. D. Burman
Actors: Kamal Hassan, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia
Song Mood: Unrequited love
7. Chitthhi Aayi Hai
Movie: Naam (1986)
Singer: Pankaj Udhas
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actors: Sanjay Dutt
Song Mood: Missing one’s native country
8. Mera Kuchh Saman
Movie: Ijaazat (1987)
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Composer: R. D. Burman
Actors: Anuradha Patel
Song Mood: Heartbroken
9. Ek Do Teen
Movie: Tezaab (1988)
Singer: Alka Yagnik
Composer: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Actor: Madhuri Dixit
Song Mood: Dance
10. Tere Mere Hoton Pe
Movie: Chandni (1989)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Babla Mehta
Composer: Shiv Hari
Actors: Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi
Song Mood: Romantic
Top 10 Songs of the 1990s
The 1990s introduced a new musical decade in Bollywood. The music improvised and began covering more genres. Some of the top 10 songs of the 90s are –
1. Nazar Ke Saamne, Jigar Ke Paas
Movie: Aashiqui (1990)
Singers: Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal
Composer: Nadeem Shravan
Actors: Rahul Roy, Anu Agarwal
Song Mood: Romantic
2. Gudiya Rani, Bitiya Rani
Movie: Lamhe (1991)
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Shiv-Hari
Actor: Waheeda Rehman
Song Mood: Lullaby
3. Khud Ko Kya Samajhti Hai
Movie: Khiladi (1992)
Singers: Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet, Sapna Mukherjee
Composer: Jatin-Lalit
Actor: Akshay Kumar, Ayesha Jhulka, Deepak Tijori, Sabeeha
Song Mood: Teasing
4. Choli Ke Peechhe Kya Hai
Movie: Khalnayak (1993)
Singers: Alka Yagnik, Ila Arun
Composer: Laxmikant–Pyarelal
Actors: Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Neena Gupta
Song Mood: Folk, Risque
5. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Movie: 1942 A Love Story (1994)
Singer: Kumar Sanu
Composer: R. D. Burman
Actor: Manisha Koirala, Arvind Swami
Song Mood: Describing the beloved’s charm
6. Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna
Movie: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
Singer: Udit Narayan, Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Jatin-Lalit
Actors: Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Wedding ceremony
7. Saanson Ka Chalna
Movie: Jeet (1996)
Singer: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik
Composer: Nadeem-Shravan
Actors: Karishma Kapoor, Salman Khan
Song Mood: Romantic
8. Chand Taare Tod Laun
Movie: Yes Boss (1997)
Singer: Abhijeet
Composer: Jatin-Lalit
Actor: Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Ambitious
9. Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana
Movie: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Singers: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik
Composer: Jatin-Lalit
Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol
Song Mood: Friendship
10. Jhonka Hawa Ka
Movie: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Singers: Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy
Composer: Ismail Darbar
Actors: Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai
Song Mood: Heartbroken
Top 10 Songs of the 2000s
With the new era, new styles and variations were introduced, catering to the music tastes of the generation. With so many chartbusters to choose from, we’ve made the complex selection of the top 10 songs of the 00s for you. Have a look –
1. Fiza
Movie: Fiza (2000)
Singers: Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik
Composer: Anu Malik
Actors: Karishma Kapoor, Vikram Saluja
Song Mood: Self-exploration
2. Mitwa
Movie: Lagaan (2001)
Singer: Sukhwinder Singh, Udit Narayan, A. R. Rahman, Alka Yagnik, Srinivas
Composer: A. R. Rehman
Actor: Amir Khan, Gracy Singh
Song Mood: Encouragement
3. Kaahe Chhed, Chhed Mohe
Movie: Devdas (2002)
Singers: Birju Maharaj, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Madhuri Dixit
Composer: Ismail Darbar
Actors: Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Classical dance
4. Kal Ho Na Ho
Movie: Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)
Singer: Sonu Nigam
Composer: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Actor: Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Live in the moment
5. Yun Hi Chala Chal Raahi
Movie: Swades (2004)
Singer: Kailash Kher, Udit Narayan
Composer: A. R. Rehman
Actors: Shahrukh Khan, Makrand Deshpande
Song Mood: Motivation to go on in life
6. Phir Raat Kaati, Phir Din Nikala
Movie: Paheli (2005)
Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan
Composer: M. M. Keeravani
Actors: Rani Mukherjee, Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Folklore
7. Luka Chuppi Bahut Hui
Movie: Rang De Basanti (2006)
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, A. R. Rahman
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Actors: Waheeda Rehman, Soha Ali Khan, Amir Khan, R. Madhvan
Song Mood: Mournful
8. Chak De, Chak De India
Movie: Chak De! India (2007)
Singer: Sukhwinder Singh, Salim Merchant, Marianne D’Cruz
Composer: Salim-Sulaiman
Actor: Shahrukh Khan
Song Mood: Sports anthem
9. Fashion Ka Jalwa
Movie: Fashion (2008)
Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Satya, Robert Bob
Composer: Salim-Sulaiman
Actors: Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse, Arbaaz Khan
Song Mood: Fashion fever
10. Chor Bazaari
Movie: Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeraj Shridhar
Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
Actors: Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan
Song Mood: Celebration of breakup
Top 10 Songs of the 2010s
Music evolved all these years, making the chartbusters define a wide variety of moods and expressions. No wonder. Songs of the 2010s came up as a refreshing change in the music industry. Celebrate the music week with some of these songs of the 2010s.
1. Aas Paas Hai Khuda
Movie: Anjaana-Anjaani
Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Composer: Vishal-Shekhar
Actors: Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor
Song Mood: Infusing confidence as God is always close by
2. Kun Faya Kun
Movie: Rockstar (2011)
Singers: A. R. Rahman, Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan, Nizami Brothers
Composer: A. R. Rahman
Actor: Ranbir Kapoor
Song Mood: Sufi
3. Tumhi Ho Bandhu
Movie: Cocktail (2012)
Singers: Neeraj Shridhar, Kavita Seth
Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
Actors: Diana Penty, Saif Ali Khan
Song Mood: Fun
4. Gulabi
Movie: Shuddh Desi Romance (2013)
Singers: Jigar Saraiya, Priya Saraiya
Composer: Sachin–Jigar
Actors: Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor
Song Mood: Capturing the city’s beauty
5. Maahi Ve
Movie: Highway (2014)
Singer: A.R. Rahman
Composer: A.R. Rahman
Actors: Alia Bhatt, Randeep Hooda
Song Mood: Love
6. Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan
Movie: Roy (2015)
Singer: Kanika Kapoor
Composer: Meet Bros Anjjan
Actors: Jacqueline Fernandez
Song Mood: Peppy
7. Sanam Teri Kasam
Movie: Sanam Teri Kasam (2016)
Singers: Ankit Tiwari, Palak Muchhal
Composer: Himesh Reshammiya
Actors: Harshwardhan Rane, Mawra Hocane
Song Mood: Assurance of love
8. Ik Vaari Aa
Movie: Raabta (2017)
Singer: Arijit Singh
Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
Actor: Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon
Song Mood: Reminisce
9. Naina Da Kya Kasoor
Movie: Andhadhun (2018)
Singer: Amit Trivedi
Composer: Amit Trivedi
Actor: Ayushmaan Khurrana, Radhika Apte
Song Mood: Dance
10. Makhna
Movie: Drive (2019)
Singers: Yasser Desai, Asees Kaur
Composer: Tanishk Bagchi
Actors: Sushant Singh Rajput, Jacqueline Fernandes
Song Mood: Dedication to the beloved
With this musical journey of 5 decades, you will go through a rainbow of feelings and moods – poetic, romantic, playful, devotional, and more. Put your headphones on or connect your music system to a soundbar/speaker and get transported to your chosen decade. Nostalgia and memories to treasure are guaranteed!
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And hey, if you are an English music fan, here’s the top 10 through the decades for your listening!
