We have reached the top. The best Hindi song ever written. Why? Because it is not a song; it is a novel compressed into five minutes.
Think of the most energetic two minutes in film history. A.R. Rahman composed this Sufi-rock fusion on a train roof, with Sukhwinder Singh screaming "Chaiyya Chaiyya" (a Sufi invocation meaning "shadow"). The percussion (the dhol ) is relentless. The brass section is fiery. And the visual of Shah Rukh Khan dancing on a moving train became iconic worldwide. In 2010, Time magazine voted it the 4th best song in the world. It is the best Hindi dance song ever made. Film: Woh Kaun Thi? | Music: Madan Mohan | Lyrics: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan bollywood top 10 the best hindi songs ever songs best
This is the song that built modern India. Sung by the iconic Mukesh, Mera Joota Hai Japani became the unofficial national anthem of the common man. The lyrics declare: "My shoes are Japanese, my pants are English, but my heart is Hindustani." In an era of post-colonial identity crisis, Raj Kapoor’s tramp character sang this with a mix of pride and rebellion. Even today, if you play this at a gathering in rural India, everyone will stand. It is timeless. Film: Dil Se | Music: A.R. Rahman | Lyrics: Gulzar We have reached the top
Romantic? No. This is a requiem for a love that exists only in memory. Sung by a ghostly Sadhana in a white saree, Lag Ja Gale ("Embrace me") is the slowest, most heartbreaking waltz in Bollywood. Lata Mangeshkar’s voice floats like smoke. The line "Ke ab aakhri hai ye raat" (For this is the last night) is so devastating that listeners often hold their breath. Madan Mohan’s use of the violin creates a sense of beautiful decay. This is the benchmark for old-world romance. Film: Roja | Music: A.R. Rahman | Lyrics: P.K. Mishra (Hindi Version) Because it is not a song; it is
Often overlooked in "popular" lists but a mandatory inclusion for "best," this track is philosophical poetry set to a gentle waltz. Gulzar’s lyrics ("I’m not angry at life, I’m just disappointed") capture the exhaustion of middle age. R.D. Burman’s orchestration—using accordions and soft strings—creates a haunting atmosphere. While the original film was Masoom , the song gained legendary status after being used in Masaan (2015). It is the best Hindi song ever written about acceptance. Film: Sadma | Music: Ilaiyaraaja | Lyrics: Gulzar
The song that made Raj Kapoor a global star—from Russia to China to the Middle East. "Awaara Hoon" (I am a tramp) is a tragic, cheeky, and philosophical anthem for the underdog. Mukesh’s baritone perfectly mimics the "drunken walk" of Kapoor’s character. The lyrics argue that a man is made a "vagabond" by society, not by choice. The melody is simple, but the hook is impossible to forget. It remains the most recognizable Hindi song on planet Earth. Film: Kabhi Kabhie | Music: Khayyam | Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
No list of the is complete without the king of voice modulation: Kishore Kumar. This is the ultimate "travel song." When Rajesh Khanna whistles from a moving jeep and picks up a hitchhiking Sharmila Tagore, magic happens. The clarinet intro, the playful lyrics ("Come to my window"), and Kishore’s effortless high notes create pure, unadulterated joy. It is the best Hindi song to roll your car windows down for. 2. Awaara Hoon (1951) – Mukesh Film: Awaara | Music: Shankar-Jaikishan | Lyrics: Shailendra