My Top 25 Heartbreak Bollywood Songs (Work in Progress)

Well, My initial thought was to blog about the top 10 songs for the broken heart, not including the golden oldies, since I believed Mukesh/Rafi/Lata would have dominated the list, given my liking for them. I also decided against including the soulful ghazals recited by Jagjit Singh/Ghulam Ali/Talat Aziz/Mehndi Hasan & Co. So, this list was shortened to only include songs from the past few years, ones that even the current teenyboppers could relate to. For me, its more about the lyrics, that the music or the melody. But when they all combine, it creates something divine. "Our sweetest songs are those that tell our saddest thought".

Seperation has always been the ultimate grief in Bollynwood, and it does create some of the best poetry. Heartbreaks are traumatic and painful. The broken heart could be reeling from a betrayal, the loss of a loved one, or having to let go of someone you love, but hoping that you would be together again someday. Heartbreaks will heal with time, and can be a great teacher, but music can help you ease the pain. The songs, that I have selected, are not in any specific order, just jotted them down, as they sprung in my mind, and by browsing my music collection. These songs are meant to heal a broken heart, and soak in your misery. Songs that will resonate with, and soothe your soul. Be warned, some could even encourage tears to flow. Here goes:

1) Chitti Na Koi Sandesh
Movie: Dushman
Singer: Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Uttam Singh

Beautifully picturized on Kajol, whoz reeling from the loss of her sister in the movie, and this soulful rendition by Jagjit Singh plays in the background. Am sure he would have thought of, and must have sung it for his son, who he lost, in a road accident at a very early age. If you are repenting not being a part of the last moments of someone dear that you have lost, tears will flow when you listen to Jagjit Singh render this.

Ik aah bhari hogi, Humney na suni hogi
Jaate jaate tumney, Aawaz tho di hogi
Har waqt yahi hain gham, Us waqt kahan they hum
Jahan tum chale gaye.

Acceptance of the loss is needed, before the pain can be overcome. This thought is so wonderfully conveyed by these lines.

Ab yaadon ke kaante, Is dil mein chubte hain
Na dard teherta hain, Na aasoon rukhte hain
Tumhe doond raha hain pyaar, Hum kaise kare iqraar
Ke haan tum chale gayen.

Watch the Video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7or2Jngrces

2) Maine Dil Se Kahan Doond Laana Khushi
Movie: Rog
Singer: Kay Kay
Lyrics: Syed Quadri
Music: M M Kreem

Those of you, who would never have heard this song before, would definitely find fault with this selection, but give it a listen, and this song could be your evertime favourite song, when you need to lift yourself from your lows. This song, to me, is like nectar to a broken heart. When you are down, feeling lonely and the might of the whole world against you, this song will turn your sorrow and worries into your friends. This could also remind you of a Gulzar classic from Sadma "Aye Zindagi Gale Lagaa Ley". Not to mention that, it is sung by my current favourite Kay Kay.

Maine dil se kahan, Doond laana khushi
Nasamajh laaya gham, Thoy yeh gham hi sahi

Bechara kahan jaanta hain, Khalish hain yeh kya khala hain
Sheher bhar ki khushi se, Yeh dard mera bhala hain
Jashn yeh raas naa aaye, Maza thoy bas gham mein aaya hain.

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqYGYV3X3xU

3) Yaar Mangiyasi Rabba Thaito Roke
Movie: Kaante
Singer: Sonu Nigam
Lyrics: Dev Kohli
Music: Anand Raaj Anand

This song is plagiarized from a Pakistani Ghazal, but I think, the soulful rendition by Sonu Nigam, and the on-screen emotions of an helpless Amitabh, who is caring for his dying wife, earns it a place in my personal top 5. All he can do is pray and complain to the Lord Almighty, that all he's asking for is his loved one, and not the world. "Kinniya Duava Mangaa, Koi vi Na Manni Jaaye .. Kaanu roz roz deva saanu thoke" ... You never fulfilled any of my wishes, just keep deceiving me every day.

Pyaar mera kar rabba mere hawaale
Yaar bina dil mera kaun sambhaale
Cheez apni hi maangi maine tujhse
Kedi mein paraayi manglai

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qry2b_kzWSU

4) Laayi Vi Ne Gayi, They Nibhayi Vi Na Gayi
Movie: Chalte Chalte
Singer: Sukhvinder Singh
Lyrics: Pappy Dhillon/Babu Mann
Music: Aadesh Shrivastav

Had to let someone go from your life, let her or him walk away, feeling helpless that you could do nothing about it, then this song is for you. Brilliant rendition by Sukhwinder Singh, who hits all the right notes, makes this an immaculate number to listen to, and will make your heart skip a beat.

Ho sacha rab rakha, Mooh mod jaane waaliye
Dil leke mera dil thod jaane waaliye
Dil tootiya na joode dobara

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieyXkw9Pi0U

5) Dil Mera Churaaya Kyon
Movie: Akele Hum Akele Tum
Singer: Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Anu Malik

Reeling from a recent split up, then this song could exactly convey your feelings, going over the memories of wonderful times spent together, and asks some pointed questions from the guilty party. If you can somehow filter out Anu Malik's angrezi lyrics, this song is truly one for the broken heart.

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYaB2e10-cQ

6) Zindagi Mein Koi Kabhi Aaye Na Rabba
Movie: Musafir
Singer: Sukhvinder Singh
Lyrics:
Music: Vishal-Shekhar

Trying to forget about the past, and get a move on to make a fresh start, but the memories still torment you. Then, listen to this one after you have cried your heart out. This song will share and justify your loneliness. This song has also been sung by Richa Sharma, but I prefer the Sukhvinder Singh version.

Zindagi mein koi kabhi aaye na rabba
Aaye jo koi, Thoy phir jaaye na rabba
Dene ho agar Mujhe baad mein aasoon
Thoy pehle koi hasaayen na rabba

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DsED1nYfoc

7) Yeh Safar Bahut Hain Katin Magar
Movie: 1942 A Love Story
Singer: Shivaji Chattopadhyay
Lyrics:
Music: R D Burman

This one will strengthen your resolve to fight through the pain of losing someone, and tells you that the hurting is about to end. Again, listen to this one after you have cried enough. This song could heal you, and could encourage the disheartened soul to start anew. Its like chicken soup for the soul.

Dil na-umeed thoy nahi, Naakaam hi tho hain
Lambi hain gham ki shaam, Magar shaam hi tho hain

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3RKs6StNaQ

8) Tu Hi Rey, Tera Bina Mein Kaise Jiyoon
Movie: Bombay
Singer: Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy
Lyrics:
Music: A R Rahman

Missing someone so bad, it hurts? In this song, the sound of the crashing waves in the turbulent sea, pales in comparision to the echoes of desperation in Hariharan's voice. The song starts off somewhat gently, and you feel the passion and desperation increase as the song progresses, and the tempo rises ever so slowly. Ask anyone to make a top 10 list of A R Rahman compositions and I will be surprised if this song is absent.

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PswYMcW-Pfk

9) Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki Phir Woh Jhadi Hain
Movie: Chandni
Singer: Suresh Wadkar
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Music: Shiv-Hari

I feel that this is the song "Rimjhim Girey Saawan" turned upside down. If you have loved and lost, and its raining outside, listen to this one if you want to reminisce and reflect on the times well spent, and do some soul-searching. It would drive you to the heights of nostalgia.

Koi kaash dil pe zara haath rakh de
Mere dil ke tukdon ko ik saath rakh de
Magar yeh hain khwabon khayalon ki baatein
Kabhi tootkar cheez koi joodi hain

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSa8BTnpWQU

10) Tanhayee
Movie: Dil Chahta Hain
Singer: Sonu Nigam
Lyrics:
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Ever have to hear "Maybe we should just be friends", or something to that effect? Then, you could find some solace in this song. The heart touching lyrics, Sonu Nigam's soulful rendition, and grief so-wonderfully potrayed on-screen by Aamir Khan makes this song the anthem for the broken hearted and dejected romantics.

Kyon aisi umeed ki maine, Jo aisey nakaam hui
Door banayi thi manzil, Thoy rastey mein hi shaam hui
Ab kahan jaoon mein, Kisko samjhaoon mein
Kya maine chaha tha, Aur kya kismat mein aayi

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BDUlZhDujU

11) Tu Pyaar Hain Kisi Aur Ka
Movie: Dil Hain Ke Maanta Nahi
Singer: Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal
Lyrics: Sameer
Music: Nadeem-Shravan

Find it tough to let go of someone? Or your love for them is not being reciprocated? The first time I heard this song, I felt I could sing to every girl on whom I have had a crush, but she did not even know I existed ;) "Tu pasand hain kisi aur ki, tujhe maangta koi aur hain". Its still love if he or she ignores you. You may smile and say, I am happy for you, but you are really crying inside. Like someone said "Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don’t expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their heart. But if it does not be content that it grew in yours."

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npeQo7GCRG8

12) Aye Ajnabi Tu Bhi Kabhi
Movie: Dil Se
Singer: Udit Narayan, Mahalaxmi Iyer
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: A R Rahman

This song is intense and ethereal. You can feel the pain in Udit Narayans singing, of being seperated from someone you love. If you are indeed distant from someone you love, this could take you miles and closer to them. Like most of Rahman's tunes, this song will grow on you, and you will find it endearing, on subsequent hearings. The lyrics are powerful, penned by the one and only Gulzar. "Main adhoora, tu adhoori jee rahi hain".

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQQdD5u2AyU

13) Tadap Tadap Ke
Movie: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Singer: Kay Kay
Lyrics: Mehboob
Music: Ismail Durbar

This is the song that brought Kay Kay into the limelight. To me, he is the Mukesh of the new generation when it comes to sad and sombre songs. This is a very popular song among the heart broken brethren. The pain of two lovers seperating and feeling that the punishment is undeserved is so wonderfully conveyed by the lyrics. Love that we cannot have is the one that hurts the deepest, and alas, also lasts the longest.

Agar mile Khuda thoy, Poochonga khudaya
Jism mujhe dekhe mitti ka, Sheeshe sa dil kyon banaya
Aur uspe diya fitrat, ke woh karta hain Mohabbat
Wah re wah teri kudrat

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPNJNpuCnPY

14) Hum Naa Samjhe They Baat Itni Si
Movie: Gardish
Singer: S P Balasubramanian
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: R D Burman

This one is not really about love, but when life, in general, gets you down, and you need a lift, or a shoulder to lean on, listen to this one. Dreams are fragile, and the world is tough. When you feel that your dreams have been shattered, and you are looking for sympathy, this is the song.

Aarzoo humney ki thoy gham paaye
Roshni saath laayi thi saaye
Saaye gehre they, Roshni halki

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCjfqOI8U-s

15) Ab Naam Mohabbat Ke Ilzaam Yeh Aaya Hain
Movie: Ghulam
Singer: Udit Narayan
Lyrics:
Music: Jatin Lalit

Ik pyaar se mujrim se, Ulfat bhi kare thoy kaise kare
Tumhe Doob ke chaha tha, Nafrat bhi kare thoy kaise kare
Jo paar humey karta, Usne hi doobaya hain

16) Mera Kuch Samaan Tumhaare Paas Pada Hain
Movie: Ijaazat
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: R D Burman

Moving on is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is the hard part.

17) Awaarapan Banjarapan
Movie: Jism
Singer: Kay Kay
Lyrics: Syed Quadri
Music: M M Kreem
This song can be called the best friend of any kinda broken heart.Whether a rejected proposal,or a merciless ditch or an unfaithful partner.Some of the best lines of this song are as follows~~ ’’jane yeh kaisi aag lagi hai jisme dhuan na chingari,ho na ho is baar kahin koi khwab jala hai sine mein and even jis raste par tapta sooraj sari raat nahi dhalta ishq ke aise rah guzar ko humne chuna hai sine mein.My heart overflows with emotions whenever these lines come to my ears..and for all the heart broken kids this is the best suited song.

18) Shikaayat Hain
Movie: Jism
Singer: Roop Kumar Rathod
Lyrics: Syed Quadri
Music: M M Kreem

Where there is love, there will be pain. Like I said before, acceptance of loss is needed for the pain to heal. If you are feeling rejected, this song talks about the various emotions that one goes through after being seperated from the one you love, and will touch the depths of your heart. "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight" - Kahlil Gibran

19) Rooth Ke Humsey Kabhi
Movie: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Singer: Jatin
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: Jatin Lalit

20) Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee
Movie: Kuch Kuch Hota Hain
Singer: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik
Lyrics: Sameer
Music: Jatin Lalit

"When someone leaves you, apart from missing them, apart from the fact that the whole little world you have created together collapses and that everything you see or do reminds you of them, the worst is the thought that they tried you out, and in the end, the whole sum of parts adds up to you getting stamped 'Reject' by the one you love".

21) Jag Soona Soona Laage
Movie: Om Shanti Om
Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Richa Sharma
Lyrics: Kumaar
Music: Vishal-Shekhar

This composition is sad and soulful, and Rahat Fateh Ali Khans vocals make the pain exquisite. When love is lost and dreams are shattered, the absence of the loved one can make the whole world seem desolate and deserted. "Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of seperation" - Kahlil Gibran

22) Sach Keh Raha Hain Deewana
Movie: Rehna Hain Tere Dil Mein
Singer: Kay Kay
Lyrics: Sameer
Music: Harris Jayraj

Ever wish that you were a kid again, since skinned knees heal more easily than broken hearts? When you feel like you would never emerge from the sadness that engulfs you, listen to this one. This is another of those songs, which could energize you to revolt against your beloved, and against love in general. "I always knew I would look back on my tears and laugh, but I never knew I would look back at my laughter and cry".

23) Mera Yaar Mila Dey Saaiyaan
Movie: Saathiya
Singer: A R Rahman
Lyrics: Gulzar
Music: A R Rahman

Know when the smallest of distances can feel so far away? When you are away from someone you love. This Sufi song so beautifully expresses the pain of seperation, and the longing to be together again. Its the cry of a broken heart, trying to find its love, and praying to be reunited with its beloved. Only Gulzar could have penned lines like "Sirf ek teri aahat ke liye, khankar, pathar, buth saare sune" or "Pairon ke nishaan jab dekhe jahan, sau baar jhukhaya sar ko wahan".

24) Bhool Jaa
Album: Tanha Dil
Singer: Shaan
Lyrics: Shaan
Music:

This song is for those finding it tought to get over a heartbreak.It energizes and peps you up. It consoles you by conveying that you were indeed worthy of all that love, but you do not deserve the heartache. You have to forget about someone who does not love you anymore, even though "Maana Kehna Hain Aasaan, Nibhana Hain Mushkil". Its like a bridge over troubled waters. Shaan's soothing voice makes this all the more pleasurable.

Watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0zgpMxrMmM

25) Koi yeh Kaise Bataaye Ke
Movie: Arth
Singer: Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Jagjit Singh

I might be biased towards the maestro Jagjit Singh in this list, for I feel, his magical voice manages to talk to my soul, more than anyone else. This song is no exception. A jilted lover is looking for answers, and the questions being asked are so intriguing. You have to bow to Kaifi Azmi for the lyrics. Our hearts beat as one. If we are that close, why are we still so distant? Call it a bond of love or sorrows, but it is supposed to be lifelong. Why then does it change?

Tum Masarat kaa kaho, Yaa ise gham ka rishta
Kehte hain pyaar ka rishta hain, Janam ka rishta
Hain janam ka jo yeh rishta thoy, Badalta kyon hain?

Watch the video here.

26) Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho
Movie: Arth
Singer: Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi
Music: Jagjit Singh

Trying hard to put a brave front, you have a smile on your face but you are down inside, is rightly conveyed by this song. A heart wrenching ghazal by Jagjit Singh which dwells on how any attempt to hide the grief within will be futile.