7 Iconic Pop Songs That Will Make You Miss The 90s!

Who doesn’t want to enjoy a hot cuppa while listening to the evergreen pop songs of the 90s? The era was a major milestone in the world of Hindi music. The beats, the visuals, the score, all of it evolved, only to become better and give rise to the rich genre of pop music that the country enjoys and proudly flaunts today. Whether one feels low, romantic, energetic, or just blank, there is always a song from the 90s to define every mood. Going gaga over these timeless numbers is the collective high of the hardcore Bollywood-loving Indians. Let us dive into the souls of these songs, hoping we all swim deep down in the vastness and resurface only to be much happier.

O Sanam

Lucky Ali’s songs were chicken soup for the soul of every Indian teen back in the 90s. Social media has incredible powers to bring something into the limelight, and with Lucky Ali’s forgotten gems popping up every now and then on the internet, it sure has become an even more loved space for the now-9 to 5 working ‘adults’.

The immensely talented artist has given us songs to cherish for a lifetime. His music feels like the sacred vows marrying our minds and souls to the lyrics and all we can do is just wait for the magic to happen. We wish we all find a partner where if we sang O Sanam.. he/she completes it with Mohabbat Ki Kasam for us. Hoping we all find someone where they sing this song to us even after meeting them only 10 minutes ago. For all we know, Lucky Ali has turned even a meagre hmmm into gold for an entire generation!

Woh Chali Woh Chali

Woh Chali Woh Chali, a song by Bombay Vikings, is about heartbreak and letting go of someone whom you loved to death. It conveys the pain of not being able to express your feelings to someone and now it’s too late because she is leaving. She is waving goodbye to you and you don’t have anything but love to give back to her.

Your heart is going to cry, but her wounded heart is getting healed. You are letting her go because she has found love, and you have to sacrifice her because of your love for her. It reminds us that we cannot have everything we love, and that sometimes you have to let go and put a smile on your face and wear your heart on your sleeve.

Maeri

Maeri by Euphoria touches upon a very similar emotion most couples go through in their lives. Two people who are so in love and want to spend their lives together but because of unfortunate situations, they have to part ways. One only understands another person’s importance more when they are not around.

The lover is crying his heart out to his mother and revisiting all the beautiful moments he had shared with her. He misses her and tells that he cannot feel any emotions if she is not beside him. He promises that if she comes back, he will never let her go again. Love brings equal amounts of joys and sorrows. Maeri is one such song that showcases these emotions perfectly.

Tanha Dil

It’s January 2021 and we see the comments under the video of Tanha Dil on YouTube saying: Who else is here in Jan 2021? This clearly states that these are songs which will remain immortal and will be etched in the minds of every music lover in the country.

Tanha Dil is a song of leaving behind your beloved ones and the place where you lived, and embarking on a new journey. While you are all excited about the new place, the sheer pain of leaving everything behind is ultimately making your new journey a bit blue. Shaan’s heart screams remembering the life he has left behind, remembering all the promises he made. We all have got friends with whom we hang out a lot and suddenly they leave for their future endeavors. ‘That’s life!’, they say. Hoping Sabka Safar Khoobsurat Ho Manzil Se Bhi.

Maine Payal Hai Chhankai

90s and Falguni Pathak go like bread and butter. The era is practically incomplete without her. Maine Payal Hai Chhankai is a song about calling your beloved. The girl is yearning and calling her lover by making little moves, by jiggling her anklet (payal) and by swaying her chunnari.

The puppet segment is the highlight of the song. She is thinking about him all day long and he is all that is on her mind 24×7. The innocent representation of this emotion just makes us want to go back to the 90s. The emotions are portrayed in such a simple way, and yet it touches our soul every time we hear it. Falguni Pathak’s melodious voice is one of the things that has made 90s what it is.

Ranu Raanu

Time and again we have heard that “Art has no language”, and what better than this song to prove it. It’s a Telugu song from the early 2000s but all the 90s kids will definitely relate to it and hence, it had to be mentioned in the list.

Ranu Raanu is more popular in Maharashtra than in the South. The beats, music and legendary moves of this song will compel you to dance like a madcap. One may not understand the lyrics but just the nostalgia and the music brings pure joy into our lives. Just after hearing the tune, it makes viewers go: Oh this song! (Some might have even hummed it a bit while reading this)

Tum To Thehre Pardesi

The famous song of Altaf Raja – “Tum Toh Thehre Pardesi” is probably a song every 90s kid has heard. It’s an amalgamation of joy, sorrow and betrayal, and yet, it is a fun Qawwali to enjoy at any time. The shehnai segment in the song has a different place in our hearts. Are you even Indian if you’ve completed a long train journey without singing this or hearing someone else sing this song at least once?

And to top it all, the shayaris in between the verses are the cherries on the cake. After every line in the song, our hearts are bound to go Waah! “Kheeche kheeche hue rehte ho, dhyan kiska hai, Zara bataon toh ye imtihan kiska hai? Humein bhula do magar ye to yaad he hoga, Nayi sadak pe purana makan kiska hai?”

2020 has been a tough year for everyone. We all needed someone to help us maintain our sanity hold on to our emotions. We all wanted someone to be there for us. Music helps us a lot in these tough situations. Most of us were listening to these light-hearted 90’s songs and searching for positives even in the hardest situations. Hope this article took you on a fun yet emotional ride and made you appreciate the 90s again. Find someone who has the same music taste as you, but also explore new music. Going on a road trip and playing these songs and having the time of your life is one of those little joys that we all want in our lives. Thank you to all the artistes of the 90s.

Special mentions:

Aankhon Mein, Made In India Tunak Tunak, Meri Chunar Udd Udd Jaye, Kya Soorat Hai, Dil Legayi Kudi Gujarat Di, Kala Kawa, Purani Jeans

Also Read: Insights on Malayalam Film Jallikattu, India’s official entry to Oscars 2021