While Indian Pop music industry has been almost non-existent, Indian film music has long ruled the biz in the country for nearly a century.
The soundtracks to some of the greatest musicals the world has ever seen – the Indian music scene has been assisted by some of the most gifted artists the world has got to see.
Be it those who have penned down their hearts in the most poetic fashion, to those who have given those words their grand compositions or the ones who eventually bring it all to life with their voice – Indian film music, particularly between the 50’s and 70’s, has been filled with the display of the industry’s musical richness and genius.
The likes of S.D. Burman, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey – to name a few, have been the faces behind some of the most glorious recordings ever curated during decades of countless tunes, that have now been etched forever in our memories.
Looking back at some of the most unforgettable tunes across these era’s, including the standout era of 90’s IndiPop, our team of diverse music-lovers, has put together a carefully-crafted, list of 100 greatest songs recorded in Hindi music.
Ranging from the black and white golden era to the present, here are the Top 100 Hindi songs of all time:
100) In Dino
From The Film – Life In A… Metro
Released in the year – 2007
99) Mujhe Pankh Dedo
From The Album – Women For Change
Released in the year – 2012
98) Yu Hi Chalaa Chal
From The Film – Swades
Released in the year – 2004
97) Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa
From The Film – Upkar
Released in the year – 1967
96) Chupke Se
From The Film – Saathiya
Released in the year – 2002
95) Saagar Jaisi Aankho Wali
From The Film – Saagar
Released in the year – 1985
94) Bade Acche Lagte Hai
From The Film – Balika Badhu
Released in the year – 1976
93) Iktaara
From The Film – Wake Up Sid
Released in the year – 2009
92) Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi
From The Film – Mr. X in Bombay
Released in the year – 1964
91) Naa Jaao Saiyyan
From The Film – Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam
Released in the year – 1962
90) O Sajanaa Barakhaa
From The Film – Parakh
Released in the year – 1960
89) Saiyyan
From The Album – Jhoomo Re
Released in the year – 2007
88) Aafreen Aafreen
From The Album – Swan Song
Released in the year – 1998
87) Mann Ke Manjeere
From The Album – Mann ke Manjeeré
Released in the year – 2001
86) Dil Chahta hai
From The Film – Dil Chahta hai
Released in the year – 2001
85) Piya Basanti
From The Album – Piya Basanti
Released in the year – 2000
84) Yeh Kya Hua
From The Album – Tera Mera Pyar
Released in the year – 2004
83) Maeri
From The Album – Phir Dhoom
Released in the year – 2000
82) Dekha Hai Aese Bhi
From The Album – Sifar
Released in the year – 1997
81) Yaaron
From The Film – Rockford
Released in the year – 1999
80) Musafir Hun Yaaron
From The Film – Parichay
Released in the year – 1972
79) Zinda Hoon Is Tarah Ke
From The Film – Aag
Released in the year – 1948
78) Sawaar Lu
From The Film – Lootera
Released in the year – 2013
77) Yeh Sham Mastani
From The Film – Kati Patang
Released in the year – 1971
76) Yeh Taara Woh Taara
From The Film – Swades
Released in the year – 2004
75) Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu
From The Film – Waqt
Released in the year – 1965
74) Bhaage Re Mann
From The Film – Chameli
Released in the year – 2003
73) Kuch Na Kaho
From The Film – 1942: A Love Story
Released in the year – 1994
72) Abhi Mujhme Kahi
From The Film – Agneepath
Released in the year – 2011
71) Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum
From The Film – Silsila
Released in the year – 1981
70) Tum Ko Dekha Toh Yeh Khayal
From The Film – Saath Saath
Released in the year – 1982
69) Jaadu Hai Nasha
From The Film – Jism
Released in the year – 2003
68) Katra Katra Milti Hai Katra Katra Jeene Do
From The Film – Ijaazat
Released in the year – 1987
67) Badi Nazuk Hai Yeh Manzil
From The Film – Joggers’ Park
Released in the year – 2003
66) Lambi Judaai
From The Film – Hero
Released in the year – 1983
65) Rim Jhim Gire Saawan
From The Film – Manzil
Released in the year – 1979
64) Aaj Kal Paon Zameen Par
From The Film – Ghar
Released in the year – 1978
63) Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani
From The Film – Masoom
Released in the year – 1983
62) Ab Toh Hai Tumse Har Khushi
From The Film – Abhimaan
Released in the year – 1973
61) Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
From The Film – Arth
Released in the year – 1982
60) Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi
From The Film – Chori Chori
Released in the year – 1956
59) Phir Le Aya Dil
From The Film – Barfi!
Released in the year – 2012
58) Chalte Chalte Yuhin Koi
From The Film – Pakeezah
Released in the year – 1972
57) Aap Ki Nazaro Ne Samjha
From The Film – Anpadh
Released in the year – 1962
56) Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri Mohabbat
From The Film – Mere Meheboob
Released in the year – 1963
55) Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua
From The Film – Shree 420
Released in the year – 1955
54) Chingari Koi Bhadke
From The Film – Amar Prem
Released in the year – 1972
53) Naina
From The Film – Omkara
Released in the year – 2006
52) Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas
From The Film – Blackmail
Released in the year – 1973
51) Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan
From The Film – Mera Naam Joker
Released in the year – 1970
50) Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein
From The Film – Kabhi Kabhie
Released in the year – 1976
49) Dost Dost Na Raha
From The Film – Sangam
Released in the year – 1964
48) Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo
From The Film – Teesri Kasam
Released in the year – 1966
47) Ehsan Hoga Tera Mujhpar
From The Film – Junglee
Released in the year – 1961
46) Kisi Ki Muskurahato Pe Ho Nisaar (Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai)
From The Film – Anari
Released in the year – 1959
45) Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisi Se
From The Film – Julie
Released in the year – 1975
44) Dil Cheez Kya Hai
From The Film – Umrao Jaan
Released in the year – 1981
43) Pehla Nasha
From The Film – Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Released in the year – 1992
42) Khoya Khoya Chaand
From The Film – Kala Bazar
Released in the year – 1960
41) Main Zindagi Ka Sath Nibhata Chala Gaya
From The Film – Hum Dono
Released in the year – 1961
40) Diwaana Hua Baadal
From The Film – Kashmir Ki Kali
Released in the year – 1964
39) Pyaar Ke Pal
From The Album – Pal
Released in the year – 1999
38) Meine Pucha Chaand Se
From The Film – Abdullah
Released in the year – 1980
37) Mann Ki Lagan
From The Film – Paap
Released in the year – 2003
36) Chura Liya Hai Tumne
From The Film – Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Released in the year – 1973
35) Koi Jab Tumhara Hridaya Tod De
From The Film – Purab Aur Paschim
Released in the year – 1970
34) Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai
From The Film – Guide
Released in the year – 1965
33) Dum Maaro Dum
From The Film – Haré Rama Haré Krishna
Released in the year – 1971
32) Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya
From The Film – Sarfarosh
Released in the year – 1999
31) Aanewala Pal Jaanewala Hai
From The Film – Golmaal
Released in the year – 1979
30) Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh
From The Film – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
Released in the year – 1960
29) Na Koi Umang Hai
From The Film – Kati Patang
Released in the year – 1971
28) Tere Bina Zindagi
From The Film – Aandhi
Released in the year – 1975
27) Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi
From The Film – Masoom
Released in the year – 1983
26) Gam Diye Mustaqil
From The Film – Shahjehan
Released in the year – 1946
25) Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din
From The Film – Mera Naam Joker
Released in the year – 1970
24) Naam Gum Jayega
From The Film – Kinara
Released in the year – 1977
23) Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajna
From The Film – Jab We Met
Released in the year – 2007
22) Sun Mere Bandhu Re
From The Film – Sujata
Released in the year – 1959
21) Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai
From The Film – Guide
Released in the year – 1965
20) Roz Roz Aankhon Tale
From The Film – Jeeva
Released in the year – 1986
19) Barso Re Barso Kale Badarwa
From The Film – Tansen
Released in the year 1943
18) Jab Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya
From The Film – Mughal-E-Azam
Released in the year 1960
17) Jinhe Naaz Hai Hindi Par Woh Kahan Hai
From The Film – Pyaasa
Released in the year – 1957
16) Waqt Ne Kiya
From The Film – Kaagaz Ke Phool
Released in the year – 1959
15) Duniya Banaane Wale
From The Film – Teesri Kasam
Released in the year – 1966
14) Tu Jahan Chalega (Mera Saaya)
From The Film – Mera Saaya
Released in the year – 1966
13) Mera Kuch Samaan
From The Film – Ijaazat
Released in the year – 1986
12) O Re Maanjhi
From The Film – Bandini
Released in the year – 1963
11) In Ankhon Ki Masti Mein
From The Film – Umrao Jaan
Released in the year – 1981
10) Hum Tere Pyaar Mein Sara Aalam
From The Film – Dil Ek Mandir
Released in the year – 1963
9) Kuch Toh Log Kahenge
From The Film – Amar Prem
Released in the year – 1972
8) Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai
From The Film – Shor
Released in the year – 1972
7) Laga Chunari Mein Daag
From The Film – Dil Hi To Hai
Released in the year – 1963
6) Saphal Hogi Teri Aaraadhana
From The Film – Aradhana
Released in the year 1969
5) Lag Ja Gale
From The Film – Woh Kaun Thi?
Released in the year 1964
4) Jaane Woh Kaise Log The
From The Film – Pyaasa
Released in the year 1957
3) Jo Wada Kiya Woh Nibhana Padega
From The Film – Taj Mahal
Released in the year 1963
2) Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jayega
From The Film – Anand
Released in the year 1971
1) Waha Kaun Hai Tera
From The Film – Guide
Released in the year 1965
Listing down just 100 out of lakhs of songs recorded in the past 100 years, wasn’t a cakewalk. But we still attempted to put together some of the most highly revered classics, while also not ignoring the lesser known gems across different genres.
Here are a few honourable mentions, which didn’t make the cut, but definitely deserve to be celebrated:
Tera Mera Pyaar Amar
Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo
Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaale
Is Mod Se Jaate Hai
Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh
Genda Phool