You may or may not subscribe to the mushy hearts and flowers that are supposed to depict romance and Valentine’s Day. You may even (quite accurately) believe that this is a day conjured by merchandise manufacturers who make schmaltzy cards, plastic flowers, mawkish mugs, sentimental mementoes and so on. But even if you do disapprove of the observance, there is no reason not to enjoy and revel in some truly good music today: some old, some new songs that happen to be love songs; but are quite simply beautiful melodies by themselves (statutory warning – this is a purely subjective list and I will probably miss out some of your favourites for sure; in fact I had to miss a lot of my own faves):
Mughal e Azam is arguably one of the most iconic Hindi movies ever made; this song exemplifies the strife and conflict that is the stuff of so many of our movies.
This song from Shree 420 is like a timeless ballad for innocent, hesitant young love.
Such extravagant praise for the object of one's affection, such unconstrained passion! Love is like that sometimes isn't it?
This song from Blackmail is a beautiful melody, a song that speaks about the way thoughts of a loved one are never far from the heart or the mind. Stunning Rakhee and handsome Dharmendra to boot!
So what if this song from Yaadon ki Baraat is a remixer’s delight – it is the quintessential romantic duet! Zeenat clearly cannot play the guitar – but she does look lovely!
OK, OK, this is the antakshari song I hear you say – but it is just so darn cute!
Same pair many years later… looking better and let’s face it… a way better song too!
If there was ever an anthem for first love, this lovely, starry eyed song from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander is it!
Dil Se was an intro to the genius of maestro A R Rahman for many – and what a intro; what an incredible song of love and longing!
A song from DDLJ had to be on this list I felt. So it is.
Yes I know, there is Tadap Tadap also; probably a better and more unusual composition…. But this title track is so very lovely too: the dawning realisation of love!
Bachna Ae Haseeno was the movie about the heartbreaker and the roué brought to his knees by real love. And it had this song!
Cute, funny, tender and surprisingly melodious is this song from Salaam Namaste... the quintessential modern love story.
Yahaan – an underrated love story and this song a little known, but beautiful song! Listen in.
This beautifully picturised video, evocative composition soulfully sung by, Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan from Fanaa says, If I have your hand in mine all the heavens are with me. Oooh! Goosebumps!
Rockstar had some really fantastic and incredibly varied music… this song is probably the most romantic song if not the most standout composition.
Such a playful, joyful song about new love and about how surprising love can be – from Lootera.
This song is on this list because of how ravishingly well Shreya Ghoshal and Javed Bashir have sung it and because it has these ardent, intense lyrics: Ek bhi saans alag nahin leni/ Khench lena praan is tan ke/ Haaye.. nahin rehna dooja banke!
Which woman doesn’t want a man to tell her you are my prayer! And Sonu’s voice in this terribly underrated song from Daawat-e-Ishq… enjoy!
This song, stunningly rendered by Monali Thakur for Dum Lagake Haisha is about when love ensnares you against your very will; when you are helpless against the strings that tug irresistibly at your heart.
OK so as a film Dilwale left a lot to be desired, but this mellifluous composition was most certainly a redeeming feature.
Even if you didn't like the movie, you would probably admit that Ae Dil Hai Mushkil had stunning visuals and marvelous music. There is the rousing Bulleya, the soulful Channa Mereya and this completely enthralling title track to round up your Valentine's Day… have a good one peeps!
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