62 Iconic songs of KK (Part 4/8)
Ever since the tragic news of K.K’s untimely demise broke out on the 31st May of 2022, the world was shocked. The Hindi cinema music industry lost one of its veterans. A lot of memoirs, obituaries went around describing just how good an artist and a person he was. Considering the remarkable body of work the man left behind for all of us, all this love pouring out was definitely expected; in fact he deserves much more. For me, K.K. was that secret friend with whom I grew up, through my childhood and adolescence.
His melodies, his voice, his emotions have spoken so much to me. I really don’t think any other playback singer from Hindi movie industry or even from Indie pop would have spoken so much. So in this article, I would like to describe all those songs of KK that have touched my heart. Some of these songs are very popular and some are relatively unknown. Also, this list mostly includes KK’s Hindi movie songs and Hindi pop songs. You may get songs of other languages, but that’s only if they were very popular among listeners who mainly follow Hindi music. So here are 62 Iconic songs of KK:
25. O Makhna Ve- Dil Maange More (2004)
This used to be a party track we listened to in secondary school. As per the theme of the movie this was the track we’d associate with every unlikely lover boy. Personally this was the track that had me wondering if the word in it was “Kaifiyat” or “Kaisiyat”. Finally I came to know it’s an Urdu word “Kaifiyat”which means state, condition or situation. The lyricist Sameer really made me scratch my head here. KK is very energetic and youthful. He is complimented by Sunidhi Chauhan who sings her small portion pretty well. This song was composed by Himesh Reshammiya in his pre singing days.
26. Jab bhi koi Haseena (Chana Chan Chanananu)- Hera Pheri (2000)
A Casanova track by KK. This would again be one of those additions that some people may not agree with. But come on, this sounds so amusing. To begin with this has the most bonkers chorus “Chana Chan Chanananu, Chana Chan Chananana, Chana Chan Chanananan Cham Cham Cham Chamaa Cham” Secondly, I like how the music portion transitions to some crazily different music styles and then returns back to the sound of this song with the chorus being repeated. This song has an element of likeable absurdity.
I also feel in this song KK has been very inspired by Abhijeet Bhattacharya and tried to sing like him. The song is composed by Anu Malik and written by Sameer.
27. Ek Nazar Mein Bhi- Taxi No. 9211 (2006)
A very chilled out romantic duet sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and KK, composed by Vishal- Shekhar, written by Vishal Dadlani himself. I like how both Sunidhi Chauhan and KK sound so relaxed and playful almost like a couple having a fun conversation over coffee. When the singers get the mood of the song absolutely correct, it shows very well. I also liked the percussions used in the song with the clap sound. This song has a good repeat value.
28. Soniye- Aksar (2006)
The high pitch chorus of this song “Soniye… Soniye..” itself sets the tone. This song in fact begins with the chorus. Himesh Reshammiya has given the track a 90s feel rather than keeping it very urban and it works for the track. Both Sunidhi and KK sing along with each other pretty well, and add repeat value to the track. The lyricist is Sameer.
29. Dil Aaj Kal- Purani Jeans (2014)
Back in 2013-14 when we were wondering if singers like KK or Shaan would start sounding dated, KK came up with this track to show us just how young he still sounds. He can still ace an introspective soft romantic track. There’s a slightly more acoustic version of the song sung by Sona Mohapatra which sounds good too. The song is composed by Ram Sampath and written by Prashant Ingole.
30. Awaarapan Banjarapan- Jism (2003)
This is another timeless gem of a song. I have been listening to it ever since 2003 and each time I listen to it I can’t help being in awe of it. When you make a song about brooding, grieving over a loss so well, it can make the most happy and jovial moments grim; which is exactly what this song does. Penned masterfully by Sayeed Quadri, probably his best till date. The beauty in the writing of this song is how every stanza as well as the chorus ends with words “Seene mein”. Each stanza explores different emotions in two long lines, and ends with these two words. The composition enhances the mood of the writing. Though very melodious, it maintains a feeling of grieving throughout. The instrumental portions of the song are just as brilliant as the vocal portions, you can listen to the song only for the instrumental portions. Also, the song has four stanzas with elaborate instrumental portions making the total duration 7: 01 minutes but while listening, the song doesn’t seem this long at all.
As far as KK’s singing goes, I can go on and on speaking about how much KK prepares for a song. Here, he sounds every bit like a guy who has lost everything and has nothing left. The composition by M. M. Kreem/ M. M. Keeravani is at it’s very best. I just can’t help sharing the last stanza here: “Kahaan kisi ke liye hai mumkin, Sab ke liye ik saa hona… Thoda sa dil mera bura hai, thoda bhalaa hai seene mein. Awaraapan Banjaarapan, ek khala hai seene mein.”
There are two more versions of this song, both sung by M. M. Kreem. One of them is darker than KK’s version, the other is more of concluding version. All have great writing and great music.
31. I Am in Love- Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai (2010)
From a very sad track we move on to a very happy track. This one is about the bliss of being madly in love. The lyrics by Neelesh Misra have a gleeful rush to them which is effectively conveyed by KK in his singing. He gets to sing the entire song by himself, wheares Dominique Cerejo gets to only sing the “Nana Nana Naa Nana” part. Pritam as a composer slays it as usual.
This song was not there in the movie but still managed to get it’s due attention.
32. Tu Jo Mila- Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
The song that makes us feel the hardest of times can be overcome if there’s a loved one around. This is a very mood uplifting song. The lyrics by Kausar Munir are just soul stirring. I remember when this track came out, I didn’t know the meaning of the word “Aab-O-Dana” which I later came to know meant water and food (livelihood), was good to know. Since the composer here is Pritam, he makes sure the song sounds as wholesome as it can. He makes the instrumental portions as outstanding as they can be. The rest of the song is slayed by KK. He sounds like the voice of divine hope. I particularly love how he sings “Kyunki tum Dhad…Kan, main dil”