Between Nostalgia’s: 50 Timeless Bollywood Melodies

Popular songs come and go but the true test of the success of a song is how many years later people are still listening to it. In the ever-growing canon of greatest Bollywood songs, some classics still stand the test of time. They’re the songs you heard on All India Radio or Chitrahaar as a kid; the ones you danced to at your friend’s birthday party; the ones played at nearly every wedding.

Here are 50 tracks from 5 decades that still sound wonderful every time you listen to them. There’s a good chance you know the words to nearly every song on this list.

From the Black and White Era

1. Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho — Chaudhvin Ka Chand
2. Aaja Sanam — Chori Chori
3. Awaara Hoon — Awaara
4. Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh — Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
5. Aayega Aanewala — Mahal
6. Chod Do Anchal Zamana Kya Kahega — Paying Guest
7. Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua — Shree 420
8. Aaja Re Pardesi — Madhumati
9. Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri — Naya Daur
10. Babuji Dheere Chalna — Aar Paar

1960s

1. Baharo Phool Barsao — Suraj
2. Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya — Mughal-e-Azam
3. Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna — Guide
4. Yahoo Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahen — Junglee
5. Honton Mein Aisi Baat — Jewel Thief — 67
6. Taarif Karoon Kya Uski — Kashmir Ki Kali — 64
7. Yeh Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka — Jab Jab Phool Khile
8. O Haseena Zulfo Wali — Teesri Manzil
9. Bol Radha Bol — Sangam
10. Raat Ke Humsafar — An Evening in Paris

1970s

1. Chingari koi bhadke — Amar Prem
2. Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein — Kabhi Kabhie
3. Yeh Dosti — Sholay
4. Chalte Chalte — Pakeezah
5. Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko — Yaadon Ki Baaraat
6. In Ankhon Ki Masti — Umrao Jaan
7. Saathi Re — Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
8. Mere Dil Ke Chain — Mere Jeevan Saathi
9. Dum Maro Dum — Hare Rama Hare Krishna
10. Roop Tera Mastana — Aradhana

1980s

1. Ae Mere Humsafar — Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
2. Dekha Ek Khwab — Silsila
3. Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara — Prem Rog
4. Aap Jaisa Koi — Qurbani
5. Hum Bane Tum Bane — Ek Duje Ke Liye
6. Om Shaanti Om — Karz
7. Jawani Janeman — Namak Halaal
8. Ek Do Teen — Tezaab
9. Mere Naseeb Mein — Naseeb
10. In Aankon Ki Masti Ke — Umrao Jaan

1990s

1. Tujhe Dekha To — Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
2. Pehla Nasha — Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
3. Dheere Dheere Se — Aashiqui
4. Kehna Hi Kya — Bombay
5. Dil Deewana — Maine Pyar Kiya
6. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To — 1942: A Love Story
7. Kate Nahin Kat Te — Mr India
8. Didi Tera Devar Deewana — Hum Aapke Hain Koun
9. Bahon Ke Darmiyan — Khamoshi
10. Jaadu Teri Nazar — Darr

If you have your own list of favourite songs from the golden ages of bollywood, do share with us in the comments below.