When it comes to music, we can say that the last century has been particularly successful in terms of quality. In addition, there was a revolution both in music and in society. Undoubtedly the best period that can be called the golden age of music in the world was the period of the 1970’s. This period was marked by a huge number of talented musicians and bands who were and still are considered legends and whose names will forever be among the greats in this art. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the later period was drastically worse, but only that there were fewer such great names that were so influential.
It was a time when music was something like religion and led several generations of young people around the world. A time when music changed the whole world but also the culture of many peoples. During this time, India, as one of the most populous countries in the world, was relatively briefly an official country that gained independence from the United Kingdom. So, the mid-20th century was revolutionary in every sense.
However, did the music revolution thing that spearheaded major changes in society affect the people and music in India? Undoubtedly it is, and this can best be seen by the songs that marked this period in an Asian country. To give you the clue of what music was like in India in the second half of the 20th century, we decided to create a giant list of as many as 150 songs. However, that’s not all. We carefully divided the best songs by the decade they were produced. Although quite different from the one represented in Western countries, Indian music was also of high quality during this period. So, without further delay, let’s take a look at those songs.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Best Songs of 1950s
Dil Deke Dekho-Dil Deke Dekho
Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka-Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Teri Duniya Mein-House No.44
Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote-Albela
Tu Ganga Ki Mauj-Baiju Bawra
Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho-Patita
Suhana Safar-Madhumati
Aaja Re Pardesi Main-Madhumati
Jalte Hai Jiske Liye-Sujata
Aye Maalik Tere Bande Hum-Do Aankhen Barah Hath
Jaago Mohan Pyare-Jagte Raho
Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi-Awara
Dil Tadap Ke-Madhumati
Ude Jab Zulfein Teri-Naya Daur
Mann Dole Mera Tan Dole-Nagin
Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni-Jaal
Ek Ladki Bhigi Bhagi Si-Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua hai-Shree 420
Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai-Pyaasa
Sab Kuch Sikha Humne-Anari
Kisi Ki Muskurahaton-Anari
Shaam-E Gham Ki Qasam-Footpath
Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan-CID
Duniya Me Hum Aaye Hain-Mother India
Hai Apna Dil To Awara-Solva Saal
Mera Joota Hai Japani-Shree 420
Chapter 2: Best Songs of 1960s
Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya-Mughal E Azam
Jo Wada Kiya Wo-Taj Mahal
Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi-Mr X in Bombay
Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye-Rajkumar
Wahan Kaun Hai Tera-Guide
Tumse Achchha Kaun Hai-Janwar
Babul Ki Duayein Leti Jaa-Neelkamal
Aaja Tujhko Pukare Mera Pyar-Neel Kamal
Pyar Kiya Tho Darna Kya-Mugal E Azam
Yeh Reshmi Zulfein-Do Raaste
Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara
Jaane Walon Zara-Dosti
Abhi Na Jao-Hum Dono
Honton Mein Aisi Baat-Jewel Thief
Mere Sapno Ki Rani-Aradhana
Ye Samaa Samaa Hai Pyar Ka-Jab Jab Phool Khile
Chhup Gaye Sare Nazare-Do Raaste
Pardesiyon Se Na Akhiya-Jab Jab Phool Khile
Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se-Asli-Naqli
Yeh Aankhen Uff Yun Maa Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai
Sajana-Parakh
Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra-Kashmir Ki Kali
Chaudhvin Ka Chaand Ho-Chaudhvi Ka Chaand
Chahunga Main Tujhe Sham Savere-Dosti
Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar-Tere Ghar Ke Saamne
Tumko Hamari Umar Lag Jaye-Ayee Milan Ki Bela
Pukarta Chala Hoon Main-Mere Sanam
Jiya O Jiya-Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai
Jhumka Gira Re-Mera Saaya
Bindiya Chamkegi Chudi-Do Raaste
Jaaiye Aap Kahaan Jaayenge-Mere Sanam
Ye Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera-Mere Sanam
Meri Dosti Mera Pyaar-Dosti
Iss Duniya Mein Jeena Ho Toh Sunlo Meri Baat-Gumnaam
Tujhko Mera Pyar Pukare-Gumrah
Bol Radha Bol-Sangam
Mera to Jo Bhi Kadam Hai-Dosti
Gaata Rahe Dil-Guide
Tumhin Meri Mandir-Khandan
Chapter 3: Best Songs of the 1970s
Aaj Imtihan Hai-Suhaag
Dekh Sakta Hoon Main-Majboor
Yeh Shaam Mastani-Kati Patang
Bhali Si Ek Soorat-Buddha Mil Gaya
Pal Bhar ke Liye-Johny Mera Naam
Kuch Toh Log Kahenge-Amar Prem
Aanewala Pal Jaanewala Hai-Gol Maal
Shirdiwale Saibaba-Amar Akbar Anthony
Mehbooba o Mehbooba-Sholay
Jab Koi Tumhara Hriday Tod De-Purab aur Paschim
Mere Dil Me Aaj Kya Hai-Daag
Hum Banjaron Ki Baat-Dharam Veer
Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki-Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki
Meri Pyari Behaniya-Sachaa Jhutha
Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge-Sholay
Kahin Door Jab Din-Anand
Hare Krishna Hare Ram-Hare Krishna Hare Ram
Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din-Mera Naam Joker
Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Deewana-Don
Are Diwano Mujhe Pehchano-Don
Diwano Dil Sambhalo-The Great Gambler
Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan-Mera Naam Joker
Teri Galiyon Mein Na-Hawas
Meri Soni Meri Tamanna-Yadon Ki Baraat
Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai-Kati Patang
Chahe Raho Door Chahe-Do Chor
My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves-Amar Akbar Anthony
Teri Rabb Ne Bana Di Jodi-Suhaag
Yaadon Ki Baarat-Yaadon Ki Baarat
Tu Mungla Mungla-Inkaar
Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli-Anand
Badi Sooni Sooni Hai-Mili
Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se-Ajnabee
Ek Din Bik Jaayega-Dharam Karam
Pyar Deewana Hota Hai-Kati Patang
Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai-Bobby
Dum Maro Dum-Hare Krishna Hare Ram
Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaaten-Bobby
Kaanta Laga…Bangle Ke Peechhe-Samadhi
Jab Zero DIya Mere Bharat Ne-Purab aur Paschim
Thoda Sa Thehro-Victoria No.203
Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko-Yaadon Ki Baarat
Yashomati Maiya Se-Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Keh Du Tumhe Ya Chup Rahoon-Deewar
Teri Meri Teri Yaari-Charitraheen
Na Koi Umang Hai-Kati Patang
Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein-Kabhie Kabhie
Karvatein Badalte Rahe-Aap Ki Kasam
Parda Hai Parda-Amar Akbar Anthony
Aap Yahan Aaye Kisliye-Kal Aaj Aur Kal
Chingari Koi Bhadke-Amar Prem
Aaj Na chodenge-Kati Patang
Khaike Paan Banaraswala-Don
Chapter 4: Best Songs of 1980s
Sari Duniya Ka Bojh-Coolie
Dilber Mere Kab Tak Mujhe-Satte Pe Satta
Pyar Mein Dil Pe-Mahaan
Jaane De Jaane De Mujhe-Shahenshah
Aaj Rapat Jaayen To-Namak Halaal
Humein Aur Jeene Ki-Agar Tum Na Hote
Duniya main Kitna gham hai-Amrit
Mere Rang Me Rangne Wali-Maine Pyar Kiya
I am a Disco Dancer-Disco Dancer
Dil Cheez Kya Hai-Umrao Jaan
Dard E Dil-Karz
Pyaar Humein Kis Mod Pe-Satte Pe Satta
Aye Mere Humsafar-Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Phir Chhidi Raat-Bazaar
Roz Roz Aankhon Tale-Jeeva
Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal-Souten
Mere Naseeb mein-Naseeb
Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le-Sadma
Jeena Hai Pyar Mein Jeena-Love Love Love
Tumko Dekha To Yeh Khayal-Saath Saath
Ungli Mein Angoothi-Ram Avtar
So Gaya Yeh Jahan, So Gaya Aasman-Tezaab
Main Hoon Prem Rogi-Prem Rog
Ek Haseena Thi-Karz
Sun Sahiba Sun-Ram Teri Ganga Maili
Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna-Kudrat
Meri Kismat Me Tu Nahi Shayad-Prem Rog
Bichchoo Lad Gaya-Inquilaab
Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re-Saaheb
Hothon Se Chholon Tum-Prem Geet
Saagar Kinare Dil Ye Pukare-Saagar
Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez-Prem Rog
Jab Se Tumko Dekha-Kaalia