Its been a while since I heard a nice song which caught my attention as much as Jashn-E-Bahara did. Currently on my playlist, two songs are playing on an endless loop. The first one is “Ajnabi” from the movie “SuperStar”. The movie released and sunk without a trace. I remember seeing this song in the promos , but didn’t quite catch it then. When I heard the full song for the first time, I couldn’t resist playing it over and over again. The song has been sung by Raaj. I’ve never heard of him before. The entire song has a jazzy feel to it. A silky start, a nasal baritone and then back to the silkiness, its quite a roller coaster. The words don’t go overboard. They keep it simple and yet manage to hold you for 4 odd minutes. It seems like this song is from the 80’s but yet contemporary. Hear it once and you’ll know. A soothing melody wonderfully rendered is the bottom line.
Sample lyrics:
Ajnabi Khwaab Mein, Dekh Tha Jo Ho Tum Wohi..
Dil Mujhe Le Chala, Chal Pada Mein To Wohin..
Kuch To Naya Ehsaas Hai, Jo Mera Mann Ud Raha…
Roke Se Bhi Rukta Nahin, Kis Or Ye Mud Raha..
Boondein Ghiri Khwahishon Ki To Mein;
Ek Pal Bhi Na Khud Mein Raha…
A perfect song for the late night relaxing mode.
Now coming to the second song. A while ago a friend of mine asked me if I’ve heard the song “Pehli Nazar” from Race sung by Atif Aslam. And I only had a no for an answer. For those of you who don’t know, Atif is the voice behind the super hit song “Tere Bin” from “Bas Ek Pal”. On a whim I decided to check it out. And as usual Atif doesn’t let us down. Almost all songs sung by him are love ballads and this one’s no different. You may ask .. so whats special about this song?? Its just the feel you get when you hear it.
The song has been set to music by Pritam who’s very much in the news for plagiarism. So the genuineness of the song might be under the scanner. For instance, when the song begins, the beat reminds you of “aasai aasai” from “Dhool”. But still the song manages to strike the right chords with one’s heart. Atif’s voice is just magic and its the voice of a soul searching for its love against all odds. His modulations make you cringe. The entire song may be interpreted as longing for the estranged lady love or just a come-to-me-baby type of song. Overall its just the kind of song you’d want to include in the CD you compile for you lady love.
Sample this:
Bin Tere Lamha Bhi Dushwar Hai….
Dhadhkon Ko Tujhse Hi Darkaar Hai..
Tujhse Hai Raahate, Tujhse Hai Chaahate…
Tu Jo Mili Ek Din Mujhe, Main Kahin Ho Gaya Laapata…..
Chain Chhina Ishk Ke Ehsaas Ne..
Bekhayali Di Hai Tere Pyaas Ne..
The jingle “Baby I love you” which comes now and then is just the icing on the cake..
So if you get to hear these songs, do let me know how you like it.
2 Comments
March 26, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Loved Atif’s song in Race. Yet to hear Ajnabi ..Will do now:)
Aparna: If you liked Pehli nazar I’m sure you’ll like Ajnabi too.
March 29, 2008 at 10:11 PM
My 2c (well, it started that way)
) Some ups and downs I just couldn’t understand. Reached my tubelight brain only when I saw the video. Aha, it was done for the video, to match the hero’s expressions.. And of course – Kunal (the actor) has put up a great show (in that song) !
I have mixed feelings about Ajnabi.
Ajnabi has real jazzy touch to the entire song, good differentiator in a world of drums and rocks (not literally)
Raaj has tried his best, modulations are almost perfect, but frankly, he doesn’t have a great voice – a bit flat at times, the reach just wasn’t there in a few places (Boondein ghiri khwahishon ki to mein;
Ek pal bhi na khud mein raha) is a really great opportunity for a singer, there could have been a better voice is my opinion – I could be wrong though, I’m not a big singer…
And he twists his tongue to spell – Khwaab (Beeda pottu paadaradha pola
There are too many sodhapals/turn offs in that song for me
They could have actually done a separate composition for cassettes (maybe they have)…
Pehli Nazar is da song !
Decently composed, excellently sung actually – it doesn’t have anything great about the music (iterludes and part of the saranam are a bit normal), just that the singer has more than made up for it..
Atif has sung it with real feelings – rasichu paadirukaanu theriyudu !! Esp. when he does the
“O Jaan-E-Jaan
Dono Jahan
Meri Bahon Mein Aa
Bhool Ja Aa”
and the Baby I love u varieties..
Atif absolutely rocks..
u r right. Baby I love u jingle really tingles… Gels really well with the song..
Thanks a lot for introducing this song to me !
Cheers
SRK
Aparna: Thanks for the comment.. 2c ku ezhudha sonna neega pattukku $2 ku ezhudharadha..
just kidding..
you’ve said it all.. All i can do it is second it. But I still feel Ajnabi is a good one.. Irrespective of the video or no video aspect.