Best Sonu Nigam Songs: Top 10

Sonu Nigam is one of the legends of Indian music and inarguably one of most versatile and talented singers in Bollywood history. He started his career with T-Series by singing the old classics of Mohd Rafi and performing them on stage. Gulshan Kumar gave him his big break in ‘Bewafa Sanam’ and the song ‘Achcha Sila Diya’ became an instant hit.

Soon, Sonu ventured into television and had a successful stint as the host of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’. Nigam then rocked the pop world as his pop album ‘Deewaana’ went on to be one of the highest selling musical albums of all time. But once he became a regular as a Hindi Playback singer, he reached the zenith of success.

It’s a huge ask to pick 10 songs out of such a rich haul. Here we go with the 10 best songs of Sonu Nigam as a Bollywood playback singer.

Kal Ho Na Ho (Title Song): ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ is Sonu at his soulful best. The talented singer has not done anything out of the world but it is the simplicity of his vocal abilities that has taken this song to another level. The theme of the song is living life to the fullest and it is composed by the trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy supported by meaningful lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Sonu won his only national award for this song picturised on Shahrukh Khan.

Saathiya (Title Song): A.R. Rahman explored the versatility of Sonu’s voice in this soft and soothing title track of ‘Saathiya’. Sonu’s sweet vocals have done full justice to the fresh lyrics of Gulzar and unique beats of Rahman. The beautiful picturisation of the song is an icing on the cake.

Sooraj Hua Madham (K3G): Sonu’s excellent vocals are the highlight of this emphatic romantic song set up on the legendary pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. His voice modulation and the excellent repetitions on low toned dholak tunes have made the song irresistible. Anil Pandey did the lyrics for this Sandesh Shandilya melody from ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDmLSuXt-ZE

Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Agneepath): In 2012, Sonu Nigam proved yet again just why he is still the best in the business, with this mesmerizing and delightful ballad from Agneepath. Composers Ajay-Atul surprise you with their master usage of instruments and make the song worth its weight in gold.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym8864Q98Hc

Tanhayee (Dil Chata Hai): In this sad song from Dil Chahta Hai, Sonu Nigam is at ease with the high pitched vocals and has sung excellently without overdoing the feeling. Catchy effective tunes by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and non-redundant lyrics by Javed Akhtar have raised the bar of this song.

Do Pal Ruka (Veer Zaara): This song from the love legend ‘Veer Zaara’ has a special classic feel to it and Sonu Nigam’s voice aptly reflects the emotions that Javed intended to convey with his writing. The simple romantic tune of Madan Mohan is the soul of this duet backed by female vocals of Lata Mangeshkar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5yErTpbTiA

Sau Dard Hain: Sonu Nigam’s voice in this song from Jaan-E-Mann has oceans of soul and rivers of class in it. Deep meaning in the lyrics of Gulzar beautify this Anu Malik’s melody. Nigam elevates the song to highest level with his matured and passionate vocals.

Sandese Aate Hain (Border): In his first biggest hit song of Bollywood, Sonu Nigam has crafted the pitches of his voice beautifully. Nigam’s fresh vocals are supported by Roop Kumar Rathod in this classic Anu Malik’s composition for the epic war movie ‘Border’.

Tu Fiza Hai (Fiza): Sonu Nigam’s voice in the title track of ‘Fiza’ has the novelty and sweetness to melt a million hearts. The highlight of the song is high-pitched rendering of the word ‘Fiza’ by Sonu. Gulzar penned the lyrics describing the lead character of the film to the tunes of Anu Malik.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVR94cklfA

Ye Dil Deewana (Pardes): This song from Pardes was a highlight in Sonu’s career as he was not considered for fast paced songs. This Nadeem-Shravan composition removed the tag of a Rafi clone from Sonu. Although Pardes had many evergreen melodies, ‘Ye Dil Deewana’ still managed to have its own identity.

Other best songs of Sonu Nigam are Piyu Bole (Parineeta), Main Hoon Na (Title Song), Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om), Satrangi Re (Dil Se), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Title Song), Aate Jaate Jo Milta (Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega), Shukran Alla (Qurbaan), Ishq Bina (Taal), Panchi Nadiya (Refugee), Meri Duniya Hai (Vaastav) , Mujhe Raat Din (Sangharsh) and many more. The list is endless.

Do let us know about your favorite Sonu Nigam’s songs in the comments section below.

Also stay tuned for the evergreen hit songs of Ajay Devgn coming up next Thursday, one day before the mega release of Himmatwala.

Abhishek Sharma tweets @abhu_sharma

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47 Comments

  • I love all songs too much.. Nice selection … I would like to play all the from above list ..make me happy.. Cheers … :)

  • Brilliant. In 50 years of time the kids at that age will ask us who is this legendary singer, and did u know him! I woul proudly say. Son, those were the times.

  • Amazing songs… Playing each of the vdo again and again … Cant get enough of Sonu… Thanks Abhishek and Indicine…

  • Great selection! Also,one of my favorites is the duet of Yesudasji’s song Mana Ho Tum,simply beautiful.

  • Sonu ji ne 10,000 se bhi jada song gaye hai. Inmese 10 song chunana bahut mushkil hai.
    Sonu ji ne gaye hue sub song mujhe achhe lagate hai.
    India me music ka dusra naam hi Sonu Nigam hai.
    Luv u Sonu ji hamesh 4ever.

  • Sonu is my altym fav.he is an evergreen singer given many evergreen songs..my fav songs frm sonu are kash aap hamare hote,kabhi alvida na kehna,abhi mujhme kahin,mere hath me,kal ho na ho etc..whenever my gf becomes away frm me ,i sings kabhi alvida and kash app hamare and makes her emotional..

  • Sun Zara from Lucky,Accha sila diya from Sanam Bewafa (his first song),Satrangi re from dil se,Main agar kahoon from om shanti om,zindagi maut na ban jaaye from sarfarosh ,Main hoon na title song,Mera rang de basanti chola from legend of bhagat singh
    All these mega hits are missing.Bad list fiza doesnt feature in the top 100 also.

  • Sonu Nigam Song Collection – I have been a huge fan of Sonu Nigam and here is my collection of some of his best ever songs. LEGEND of India.

    1. Kal Ho Na Ho (Film: Kal Ho Na Ho) – The best song he has sung till date. Extremely high on melody, meaningful lyrics and well shot on screen. No one, I repeat, NO ONE can sing the song the way he has done.

    2. Panchi, nadiyan, pawan ke jhonke (Film: Refugee) – Anu Malik, if he uses his brain and skills (which he does very rarely), can compose extremely good quality songs. Refugee was one album where he has done a wonderful job. The masterpiece of this album was the song Mere Humsafar by Alka Yagnik. Lyrics by Javed.

    3. Mujhe, raat din, bas mujhe chahati ho (Film: Sangharsh) – A typical Rafi style song sung with great passion. This song flows freely like a river.

    4. Aate jaate jo milta hai, tumsa lagta hai (Film: Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega) – Another Rafi style song, very good lyrics for a change from Sameer (I think).

    5. Saathiya (Film: Saathiya) – If you look at the lyrics of this song on paper, they seem more like a dialogue than a song. But then, its Gulzaar! Composed by AR Rahman, this song is not as easy as it seems. I remember one of the contestants on Zee’s music show attempted this in an important elimination round; and was slammed by even the spotboys (ok, a bit of an exaggeration, but by all the judges) for his sloppy performance. That is the probably a big mistake one can make in a competition; the biggest mistake being attemptiong Rafi/Kishore/Lata/Asha songs.

    6. Sandese Aate Hai (Film: Border) – Another masterpiece from Anu-Sonu-Javed.

    7. Is Pyaar ko main kya naam doon (Film: Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai) – Light hearted, free flowing and melodious.

    8. Kabhi Alwida Na Kehna (Film: Kabhi Alwida Na Kehna) – It was the only sane song in this entire album; I personally did not like Mitwaa that much.

    9. Do Pal (Film: Veer Zaara) – Sonu and Lata create magic; the song has a sadnes that lingers on your mind even after it is over. Lyrics by Javed Akthar.

    10. Main Hoon Na (Film: Main Hoon Na) – Very soothing song with great lyrics by Javed.

  • Bande me tha dum – Munnabhai series
    Kal Nau baje – Short Kut
    Ishq hi he rab – Dil bole hadippa
    Hum ko maalum he – Jaan-e-Man
    Tere Bin – Dil toh bachha he ji

  • i can’t comment abt list for that which song should be no. 1 or which should be in the list for me Sonu nigam is the Name of Music when you talks abt Indian Music for me all his song are great and he is the Legend and my most fav singer love u sonu hope you will continue to sing such melidious song many more
    and only regret is thathe should get national award this year in Best singer male category for song ‘Abhi mujh me kahin” never mind wish him good luck…..

  • Sonu Nigam is blessed with a very good voice but nowadays he is using his voice to sing less and cry more. He is a big fan of the great Mohammad Rafi but he can not become Rafi because Rafi sang with great devotion and in a dignified manner in which Sonu is lacking.

    In the reality shows which are shown on TV he is giving a impression which is not matching his role of a good Indian singer as of Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh. He should adopt image of a disciplined and devoted singer of India where music means prayer to GOD.

  • Thanks for this was waiting from 2 days.. my list of best Sonu Nigam songs of all time. Not in any particular order

    Saathiya Title track (Saathiya)
    Is Pyar ko main kya naam doon (Mujhe Kuch kehna hai)
    Kuch Kasmein Hai Jawaan (Aankhein)
    Kya se kya hone laga hai (Dum)
    Saamne aati ho tum (Dus)
    Ye dil deewana (Pardes)
    Satrangi Re (Dil Se)
    Har ghadi badal rahi hai (Kal ho na ho)
    Dheere Jalna (Paheli)
    Tu hawa hai, fiza hai (Fiza)
    Khamoshiyaan gungunane lagi (One two ka four)
    Tu Jahaan main wahaan (Salaam Namaste)
    Tanhayee (Dil Chahta hai)
    Cham cham jhilmilate (Striker)
    Sunzara Soniye sun zara (Lucky)
    Sandese aate hain (Border)
    Panchhi nadiya pawan ke jhoke (Refugee)
    Aye chand teri chandni ki kasam (Tera jadoo chal gayaa)
    Suraj hua maddham (Kabhi khushi kabhi gham)
    Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Agneepath)

  • sonu is baccha in front of Udit Narayan..now a days sonu is disappearing ..facing touch competition from Shaan mohith KK….

  • IMO you should have removed Ye Dil Deewana and included Main Agar Kahoon from Om Shanti Om. That would have made the list absolutely perfect.

    Main Agar Kahoon is my all time favorite Sonu Nigam song

  • Indicine please post the article of top ten akshay kumar songs..thanks and also give the news of siddarth malhotra…and this is very nice article..totally agreed with u..thanks indicine.

  • Proud of sonu nigam- the only legendary singer of this generation—>>versatility in true sense.. this man hs elevated the vocal techniques to a new level.

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