The recent comments by Bappi stating that ARR is the only MD today capable of carrying the torch of golden oldies of the past rings so true and profound. I have such a profound respect and love for golden oldie songs from the 50s and 60s and 70s. Today, there's lots of good music out there from other MDs other than Rahman and many MDs in recent years have re-captured the essence of true melody that was evident in evegreen songs of the past (songs of Devdas, Parineeta, etc.). However, no other MD has been able to capture that golden and evergreen essence and re-create powerful melodies with rich sound as well as Rahman (of course I'm biased.....but it's the truth too).
So many folks from my parents' generation complain about how so much of today's film music lacks deep melody. When I mention Rahman's music, some of them simply haven't heard Rahman's evergreen songs due to lack of film success and continue to think that he is just another modern MD focused on beats and computers, etc. Others, who have heard Rahman's music more broadly and carefully, agree and admit that many of his melodies today have that evergreen and golden value, sorely missing and lacking from music overall today when a hit today is forgotten tomorrow. Here is a list of Hindi songs by ARR (I am sure there are many Tamil songs as well, but I'm not as familiar) that I feel capture that old world evergreen, golden oldie essence. I am not including many awesome songs that sound more modern in nature (but still have tremendous melodic power, like Choti Si Asha) Feel free to agree or disagree or to add more songs you think fit this category. Note how most of these songs have a strong classical feel to them (strongly raaga based) and many are from period films (which makes sense). Songs of old world charm: Bol Sajnni (Doli Saja Ke Rakhana) Tu Hi Re (Bombay) E Ajnabi (Dil Se) Dheeme Dheeme (Zubeidaa) So Gayein (Zubeidaa) Hai Na (Zub) Chodo More Baiyaan (Zub) Pyar Sa Gaon (Zub) Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali (Zub) (yes, most of Zubeidaa falls in this category...mindblowing soundtrack) Radha Kaise Na Chale (Lagaan) O Paalanhare (Lagaan) Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna (LOBS) Jogiya Jogiya (LOBS) Mujpe Toofan (Tehzeeb) Naina Milaike (Saathhiya) Pal Pal Bhaari (Swades) Hum Hai Iss Pal Yahan (Kisna) Desh Ki Mitti (Bose) Ghoomparani (Bose) Main Vari Vari (Mangal Pandey) Ay Hairathe Ashiqui (Guru)
