Bollywood music has been an integral part of Indian culture for several decades.
It has captured the hearts of millions of people, not just in India but worldwide.
Bollywood songs can transport us to a different world, evoke emotions, and make us feel alive.
Over the years, Bollywood has produced some of the most iconic and unforgettable songs that have become part of our collective consciousness.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the 40 best Bollywood songs of all time, which have stood the test of time and continue to be cherished by fans of Hindi music.
These songs have not only entertained but also inspired and touched the lives of millions of people worldwide, making them an essential part of the Indian music legacy.
1. “Butterfly” by Aaman Trikha, Nooran Sisters, Dev Negi, & Sunidhi Chauhan
“Butterfly” is a song from the 2018 Bollywood film “Jab Harry Met Sejal”.
The song is lively and upbeat, mixing traditional and modern instruments, such as the dholak and harmonium, with electronic beats.
The lyrics are in Punjabi and Hindi and talk about the beauty of a woman and the way she moves, comparing her to a butterfly.
The song’s music video features the film’s lead actors, Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma, dancing and having fun in the streets of Europe.
2. “Radio Song” by Kamaal Khan & Amit Mishra
“Radio Song” is a popular Hindi song from the 2018 Bollywood film “Tubelight.”
The song was composed by Pritam and sung by Kamaal Khan and Amit Mishra.
Amitabh Bhattacharya wrote the lyrics.
The song features upbeat and lively music with a fusion of Indian and Western instruments, and the lyrics talk about the joy of music and the power it holds to connect people.
3. “Disco Disco” by Benny Dayal & Shirley Setia
“Disco Disco” was released in 2017 as a part of the soundtrack for the Bollywood film “A Gentleman”.
The song features upbeat electronic music and lyrics in English and Hindi, encouraging listeners to hit the dance floor and let loose.
Benny Dayal’s vocals are energetic and playful, while Shirley Setia’s voice adds a touch of sweetness to the track.
The music video for the song features the two singers dancing in a disco setting, dressed in colorful and retro-inspired outfits.
4. “What’s Up” by Jasleen Royal & Mika Singh
“What’s Up” was released in 2017 as part of the Bollywood film “Phillauri” soundtrack.
The music for “What’s Up” was composed by Jasleen Royal, while Aditya Sharma penned the lyrics.
The song features upbeat, folk-influenced instrumentation, catchy vocal hooks, and a lively rhythm.
The lyrics are playful and flirtatious, with the singers engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue about their mutual attraction.
5. “Gulabi 2.0” by Tulsi Kumar & Yash Narvekar
“Gulabi 2.0” was released in 2017 as part of the soundtrack for the Bollywood film “Noor,” which starred Sonakshi Sinha in the lead role.
The song is a modern remix of the classic Bollywood song “Gulabi Aankhen,” originally sung by Mohammed Rafi.
It features a catchy, electronic-infused beat, with lively guitar riffs and a pulsating rhythm.
Tulsi Kumar and Yash Narvekar’s vocals complement each other well, with Tulsi lending her smooth and melodious voice to the song’s more romantic verses.
At the same time, Yash brings a more energetic and playful tone to the song’s upbeat chorus.
The lyrics are playful and flirtatious, with the singers using pink (“gulabi” in Hindi) as a metaphor for their love and attraction.
6. “The Goggle Song” by Amaal Mallik
“The Goggle Song” was featured in the 2017 Hindi film “Mubarakan” and was sung by Sonu Nigam, Armaan Malik, Tulsi Kumar, and Neeti Mohan.
The lyrics encourage the listener to put on their goggles and enjoy life to the fullest, no matter the situation.
The music video for “The Goggle Song” features the film’s cast, including actors Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, and Athiya Shetty, dancing and having fun while sporting a variety of different goggles.
7. “Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” by Anupama Deshpande
“Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” is a famous Bollywood song from the 1990 film “Sailaab”.
“Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar” is a romantic number featuring Madhuri Dixit as the lead actress, waiting for her lover to return.
The lyrics convey the emotions of love, longing, and anticipation, and the melody is catchy and upbeat, with a fusion of Indian classical and Western music.
8. “Ke Pag Ghungaroo Baandh” by Kishore Kumar
“Ke Pag Ghungaroo Baandh” was featured in the 1983 film “Namak Halaal” directed by Prakash Mehra and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Smita Patil, and Parveen Babi.
The song is fun and upbeat, showcasing Kishore Kumar’s versatile singing style.
The lyrics, written by Anjaan, are catchy and playful, with a mix of Hindi and Urdu words.
The song’s music, composed by Bappi Lahiri, features a blend of traditional Indian instruments like the tabla and dholak, along with Western instruments like the synthesizer and guitar.
“Ke Pag Ghungaroo Baandh” celebrates life and its joys and is often played at weddings, parties, and other festive occasions in India.
9. “Dola Re Dola” by Shreya Ghoshal, KK, and Kavita Krishnamurthy
“Dola Re Dola” is a famous Bollywood song from the 2002 film “Devdas”.
The song is a beautiful and enchanting duet sung by two of Bollywood’s most iconic leading ladies, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit.
The lyrics, written by Nusrat Badr, tell the story of two women expressing their love and devotion to their beloved.
“Dola Re Dola” is known for its stunning choreography, which features Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit dancing together in perfect sync.
The song’s visuals, beautiful vocals, and music create a mesmerizing experience for the audience.
10. “Ghahra” by Rekha Bhardwaj & Vishal Dadlani
“Ghahra” is a song from the 2013 Indian film “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”.
The song fuses traditional and modern sounds, mixing Sufi and Western elements.
The lyrics, written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, are about the depth of love and the pain that comes with it.
The word “Ghahra” means “deep” or “profound” in Hindi, and the song explores the intense emotions that come with falling in love.
The music video features the film’s lead actors, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone, in a stunning outdoor location, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
11. “Hawa Hawa” by Mika Singh & Prakriti Kakar
“Hawa Hawa” is a famous Bollywood song initially sung by Pakistani singer Hassan Jahangir in 1987.
The song was later remade by Indian singer Mika Singh and Prakriti Kakar for the 2017 Bollywood film “Mubarakan”.
The song is upbeat and energetic, with a catchy tune and lively lyrics.
It features a mix of Hindi and Punjabi lyrics and combines traditional and modern music.
The song’s music video features the film’s lead actors, Arjun Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz, dancing to the song’s upbeat rhythm.
12. “Lift Teri Bandh Hai” by Anu Malik & Neha Kakkar
“Lift Teri Bandh Hai” is a famous Bollywood song from the 2017 “Judwaa 2” film.
It features the film’s lead actor, Varun Dhawan, and the female lead, Jacqueline Fernandez, dancing to the song’s rhythm inside an elevator.
The song is catchy and playful, set to an upbeat tempo.
The song lyrics in Hindi and English revolve around a man’s fascination with a girl he meets in an elevator.
13. “Ki Kariye Nachna Aaonda Nahin” by Neha Kakkar, Raftaar & Hardy Sandhu
“Ki Kariye Nachna Aaonda Nahin” was released in 2016 and was featured in the Bollywood movie “Tum Bin 2”.
The lyrics mix Punjabi and Hindi and are written by Kumaar.
The song is a high-energy dance track with a catchy beat and a fusion of traditional Punjabi and modern electronic music.
It talks about the joys of dancing and encourages people to let go of their inhibitions and dance.
Neha Kakkar, Raftaar, and Hardy Sandhu contributed to the song with their unique voices and styles, making it a fun track.
The music video features the three artists, along with the cast of “Tum Bin 2 “, dancing to the song, adding to the track’s overall fun and upbeat feel.
14. “Afgan Jalebi” by Asrar & Akhtar Chanal Zahri
“Afgan Jalebi” is a song from the Bollywood movie “Phantom,” released in 2015.
The song lyrics are a mix of Hindi and Pashto and describe a woman who is as sweet as an Afghan Jalebi, a sweet popular in Afghanistan and other parts of South Asia.
Asrar and Akhtar Chanal Zahri’s vocals complement each other well, adding to the song’s overall appeal.
The music video features Katrina Kaif, the lead actress in the movie, dancing to the song in a traditional Afghan dress, adding to the exotic feel of the track.
15. “Aaj Ki Party” by Mika Singh
“Aaj Ki Party” was featured in the 2015 Hindi film “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” which starred Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead roles.
“Aaj Ki Party” is an upbeat and energetic track often played at weddings, parties, and other festivals in India.
It is a lively and upbeat dance song celebrating the joy of living in the moment and having fun.
The song’s music video features Salman Khan dancing and celebrating with many people.
16. “Pinga” by Vaishali Mhade & Shreya Ghoshal
“Pinga” is a song from the 2015 Indian film “Bajirao Mastani”, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The song is a traditional dance number featuring two of the film’s leading ladies, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, performing a Lavani-style dance.
The Lavani is a popular folk dance form from Maharashtra, India.
The song lyrics are in Marathi and describe the beauty and grace of a woman.
The word “Pinga” means “lovely girl” in Marathi.
17. “Nazar Ke Samne Jigar Ke Paas” by Kumar Sanu & Anuradha Paudwal
“Nazar Ke Samne Jigar Ke Paas” is a popular Hindi romantic song from the 1994 Bollywood film “Aashiqui”.
The song is a beautiful expression of love and longing, with the singers crooning about the intense emotions of being in love.
The song features Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, who play the lead roles in the film.
It is a slow-paced melody with soft and soothing music that perfectly captures the emotions of love and longing.
The lyrics are beautifully written, and the vocals of Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal add a magical touch to the song.
18. “Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin” by Kumar Sanu & Anuradha Paudwal
“Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin” is a romantic love song from the 1991 Bollywood film of the same name.
The song features Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt, who play the lead roles in the film.
It is a beautiful melody that captures the essence of love and heartbreak.
The lyrics are poetic and soulful, and the vocals of Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal are mesmerizing.
The song’s music video is also iconic, featuring Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt traveling together on a bus, trying to find their destination.
The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and the song adds to the romantic atmosphere of the film.
19. “Dekha Teri Mast Nigahon Mein” by Kuamr Sanu & Asha Bhosle
“Dekha Teri Mast Nigahon Mein” is a romantic Bollywood song from the movie “Khiladi”.
The song features the movie’s lead actors, Akshay Kumar and Ayesha Jhulka, and depicts their budding romance.
The lyrics express the admiration and love of the male protagonist towards his beloved’s beautiful eyes and captivating gaze.
The melody is soft and soothing, with a slow rhythm and mellow instrumentals, including the flute and the guitar.
The voices of Kumar Sanu and Asha Bhosle blend seamlessly, adding to the romantic and dreamy atmosphere of the song.
20. “O Lal Dupatta Wali” by Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, & Kavita Krishnamurthy
“O Lal Dupatta Wali” is a famous Bollywood song from the movie “Aankhen” (1993).
The song features the movie’s lead actors, Govinda and Chunky Pandey, as they try to woo their love interests.
The lyrics express the admiration of the male protagonists towards the women’s red dupattas (scarves) and their charming beauty.
The voices of Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, and Kavita Krishnamurthy blend perfectly, adding to the fun and playful tone of the song.
21. “Subah Se Lekar” by Udit Narayan & Sadhana Sargam
“Subah Se Lekar” is a beautiful romantic song from the Bollywood movie “Mohra”, released in 1994.
The song features Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon in a romantic setting, with the picturesque scenery of Mauritius in the background.
The lyrics express the feelings of a lover ready to give their everything to their beloved, from the morning to the night.
The song starts with the line “Subah se lekar shaam tak, shaam se lekar raat tak, mujhko yaad hai har ek baat teri”, which means “From morning till evening, from evening till night, I remember every word of yours”.
The song expresses the protagonist’s intense love and longing for his beloved.
22. “Ghar Se Nikalte Hi” by Udit Narayan
“Ghar Se Nikalte Hi” was released in 1996 and was part of the Bollywood film “Papa Kehte Hain” soundtrack.
The song’s lyrics describe the emotions of a young man who has just left his home and is venturing into the world.
He expresses his feelings of freedom, excitement, and trepidation while reflecting on the memories and relationships he left behind.
The song’s music video features the actor Jugal Hansraj, who starred in the film, and showcases various iconic landmarks of Mumbai as he travels around the city.
23. “Ae Ajnabi” by Udit Narayan
“Ae Ajnabi” was featured in the Bollywood movie “Dil Se”, released in 1998.
The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the feeling of love at first sight.
The lyrics talk about the connection between two strangers who meet for the first time and fall in love.
The music and the singing by Udit Narayan perfectly capture the song’s emotions.
24. “Tere Dard Se Dil” by Kuamr Sanu
“Tere Dard Se Dil” is a popular Hindi song from the Bollywood movie “Deewana,” released in 1992.
The song features the lead actor of the movie, Shah Rukh Khan, who is seen expressing his love and pain through the lyrics.
The music video shows him wandering around the city, lost in thought, while the song’s beautiful melody plays in the background.
25. “Dil Jab Se Toot Gaya” by Pankaj Udhas
“Dil Jab Se Toot Gaya” is a ghazal (a form of poetry) sung by Pankaj Udhas, a famous Indian ghazal singer.
The Ghazal is written by an Urdu poet named Nida Fazli.
The song reflects the pain and heartbreak that comes with a broken heart.
It begins with the line “Dil jab se toot gaya, aawaz nahi aati”, which means “, Since my heart broke, I can’t hear anything.”
The lyrics describe feeling lost and alone after a relationship has ended and how memories of the past continue to haunt the speaker.
26. “Mujhse Juda Hokar” by Lata Mangeshkar & S.P Balasubramaniam
“Mujhse Juda Hokar” is a popular Hindi song from the Bollywood film “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” released in 1994.
The song is a poignant and heart-touching ballad expressing separation’s pain and sorrow.
The lyrics talk about the deep love between two people who are now separated by circumstances beyond their control.
The singer’s soulful rendition adds to its emotional intensity, making it a classic romantic song that still resonates with listeners today.
27. “O Rabba” Sapna Awasthi & Udit Narayan
“O Rabba” is a Bollywood song from the 1995 Hindi film “Zamaana Deewana.”
The song features the film’s lead actors, Shahrukh Khan, and Raveena Tandon, and is a romantic track that expresses the emotions of a lover deeply in love with their partner.
The song’s music video showcases the beautiful locations of Switzerland and the chemistry between the lead pair.
28. “A B C D” by Hema Sardesai, Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan & Hariharan
“A B C D” is a famous song from the 1999 Hindi film “Hum Saath Saath Hain.”
It is an upbeat dance song featuring the film’s entire star cast, including Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, and Sonali Bendre.
The song is a fun-filled celebration of love and family, and the music video showcases the family’s happy moments as they dance and sing together.
The song’s popularity led to several remix versions played in clubs and parties.
29. “Morey Piya” by Jaspinder Narula & Shreya Ghoshal
“Morey Piya” is a song from the Bollywood film “Devdas” (2002).
The song combines Indian classical and folk music with contemporary arrangements.
The lyrics of “Morey Piya” express the longing and pain of separation between the two main characters, Devdas and Paro, who are deeply in love but forced to live apart due to societal constraints.
The words “Morey Piya” translate to “My beloved” in English, and the song conveys the intense emotions of love and heartbreak central to the film’s plot.
30. “Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka” by Shreya Ghoshal
“Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka” is another popular Hindi song from the Bollywood movie “Devdas”, released in 2002.
The song is a beautiful and harmonious composition that showcases the exceptional vocal range and versatility of Shreya Ghoshal.
The lyrics of “Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka” express the intense emotions of love and desire between the two main characters, Devdas and Paro.
The words “Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka” translate to “This series of desires” in English, and the song talks about the pain and longing of unfulfilled love and the desire to be with one’s beloved.
31. “Aayat” by Arijit Singh
“Aayat” is a Hindi song from the 2015 Bollywood movie “Bajirao Mastani”.
The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the intense love and passion between the two main characters in the film, Bajirao, and Mastani.
Arijit Singh’s soulful and heartfelt rendition perfectly captures the lyrics’ emotions, making it one of the recent most famous and beloved Bollywood songs.
32. “Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye” by Kumar Sanu
“Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye” is from the 1994 Bollywood movie Dilwale, starring Ajay Devgn and Raveena Tandon in the lead roles.
The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the feelings of a man who has lost his love but still hopes to win her back.
The music is soulful, and the lyrics are poignant, making it a popular choice for lovebirds.
The song became a massive hit upon its release and is still remembered as one of Kumar Sanu’s best performances.
Its popularity led to several remixes and covered over the years.
33. “Aitbaar Nahi Karna” by Sadhana Sargam & Abhijeet Bhattacharya
“Aitbaar Nahi Karna” is a song from the 1994 Bollywood film “Qayamat: City Under Threat”.
Sameer wrote the song’s lyrics, which portray the emotions of a person who has been hurt in love and is hesitant to trust anyone again.
It is about fear of getting hurt and not wanting to feel the pain again.
The song is about not wanting to fall in love.
34. “Tum Hi Ho” by Arijit Singh
“Tum Hi Ho” is a Hindi song from the 2013 Bollywood film “Aashiqui 2”.
The song is a romantic ballad that deeply expresses a person’s emotions in love.
The phrase “Tum Hi Ho” is repeated throughout the song and means “only you” or “you alone”.
“Tum Hi Ho” won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Arijit Singh and the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for Mithoon.
It has been covered by many artists and has become a popular choice for performances at weddings and other events.
35. “Mast Magan” by Arijit Singh & Chinmayi Sripada
“Mast Magan” was featured in the 2014 Hindi romantic drama “2 States”.
The song depicts the romantic feelings of the two lead characters, Krish and Ananya, who fall in love and decide to get married despite their cultural differences.
“Mast Magan” is a beautiful ballad that captures the essence of falling in love and feeling lost in someone’s thoughts.
The song’s lyrics are full of metaphorical language that poetically describes the feeling of love.
“Mast Magan” is a metaphor for being completely lost in someone’s thoughts.
36. “Kal Ho Naa Ho” by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
“Kal Ho Naa Ho” is a famous Bollywood song composed by the music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for the 2003 Indian film of the same name.
The song is a sentimental ballad that expresses the idea that one should live in the present and not worry about the future or regret the past.
It has a melodic tune and a memorable chorus, making it a beloved classic in India.
The music video for the song features the film’s lead actors, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan, in various locations around New York City.
37. “Chaar Bottle Vodka” by Yo Yo Honey Singh
“Chaar Bottle Vodka” is a popular Hindi song by an Indian rapper and music producer.
The song was released in 2014 and quickly became a hit, with its catchy lyrics and energetic beats.
The song is about partying and drinking alcohol, with the title referring to four bottles of vodka.
The lyrics are in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi languages, and the song features vocals by Honey Singh himself and playback singer Neha Kakkar.
38. “Chaiyya Chaiyya” by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi
“Chaiyya Chaiyya” is a Hindi song from the 1998 Bollywood film “Dil Se”.
The lyrics describe the joy of riding on a train and the excitement of traveling to new places.
The music video for “Chaiyya Chaiyya” is also famous for its unique filming technique, where the actors and dancers are shown dancing on top of a moving train.
The video was shot on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu, India, and the scenic background of the mountains and the forest adds to the beauty of the song.
39. “Tujhse Naraaz Nahi” by Lata Mangeshkar
“Tujhse Naraaz Nahi” is a Hindi song from the 1983 Bollywood movie “Masoom”.
The song’s lyrics express a child’s emotional turmoil as he tries to accept that his father is not his biological father.
The child is upset and confused about the situation, but the song’s lyrics reassure him that he is still loved and accepted despite everything.
The melody of “Tujhse Naraaz Nahi” is simple yet beautiful, and Lata Mangeshkar’s soulful voice brings out the emotions in the lyrics.
The song’s soft and mellow tone perfectly captures the sentiment of a child’s innocent heart.
40. “Nashe Si Chadh Gayi” by Arijit Singh
“Nashe Si Chadh Gayi” is a famous Bollywood song from the 2016 movie “Befikre”.
The song features actors Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor, who are seen dancing in the streets of Paris.
The song has a peppy and upbeat tempo, mixing Indian and Western music styles.
The song’s lyrics talk about being in love and how it makes the person feel intoxicated and high like they are on a natural high or under the influence of a substance.
Best Bollywood Songs – Final Thoughts
The list of 40 Best Bollywood Songs of All Time is a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers and touch people’s hearts worldwide.
The songs evoke emotions and resonate with listeners across generations, making them timeless classics that will remain etched in our memories forever.
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