"Phool Ko Bahar, Bahar Ko Chaman, Dil Ko Dil, Badan Ko Badan."
The mid-1980s of Bollywood music saw the end of the gramophone era and the start of the audio cassette revolution. Witnessing many commercially hit songs, these ’80s tracks were truly electrifying and tuneful.
This era was quite special as it became the launchpad for many musical dignitaries.
Playback singers such as Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, and Sadhana Sargam, kick-started their singing careers.
We were also introduced to Biddu, a British-born music composer – whose track in Qurbani became sensational!
One cannot forget the sensual, poetic and disco themes to these romantic songs produced during this decade. So, come and join DESIblitz on this nostalgic journey. Here are 10 best Bollywood love songs from the 1980s.
Aap Jaisa Koi ~ Nazia Hassan: Qurbani (1980)
Late Feroz Khan discovered Nazia Hassan’s young voice in a London club. He then asked his friend, Biddu to compose a song with the singing sensation!
The phenomenal thing about ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ is the fact that it’s a romantic track coated as disco, like her classic song – ‘Disco Deewane’.
The video exhibits the gorgeous Zeenat Aman grooving to this funky and immensely catchy music. The first verse: “Phool Ko Bahar, Bahar Ko Chaman, Dil Ko Dil, Badan Ko Badan,” epitomises Zeenat’s sexy image in the song’s visual.
Anuj Kumar of The Hindu comments: “It is the music that makes Qurbani timeless and made it a profitable venture even before the film released.”
As a 16-year-old, Nazia Hassan received the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Playback Singer.’
Dekha Ek Khwab ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Silsila (1981)
Shiv-Hari presents another song which melts your heart through the immaculate Shayari.
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha can be seen in a mountainous area and flower-field, singing how they saw a dream and a chain of events happened.
We can feel the strong essence of romance between Amitabh and Rekha in this song.
Bhasker Gupta of ‘All Music’ notes: “Silsila was a celebration of poetry and life. Each of its songs rates high in the overall history of Bollywood music and signifies the third musical wave at its peak.”
Tu Tu Hai Wahi ~ Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle: Yeh Vaada Raha (1982)
The beauty about this RD Burman track is that both Rishi Kapoor and Poonam Dhillon, only lip-sync to the track once. Here, it’s all about gazing at your loved one and telling them how much you love them:
“Mil Jaaye Is Tarah Do Lehre, Jis Tarah. Phir Ho Na Judaa, Haan Yeh Vaada Raha.” This translates to: “Let’s meet like two waves and never separate. Yes, this is my promise.” Now, this is eternal love!
Rohit Jahajeeah on YouTube writes: “RD Burman has an upper hand in making the song a timeless big hit. Since more than 30 years, I am still listening to this song and I am never getting bored.”
Listen to our full playlist of Top Bollywood Love Songs from the 1980s here:
Aap Jaisa Koi ~ Nazia Hassan: Qurbani (1980)
Dekha Ek Khwab ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Silsila (1981)
Tu Tu Hai Wahi ~ Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle: Yeh Vaada Raha (1982)
Jaane Kaise Kab Kahan ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Shakti (1982)
Saagar Kinaare ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Saagar (1985)
Har Kisi Ko ~ Manhar Udhas, Sadhana Sargam: Janbaaz (1986)
Kate Nahin Kat Te ~ Kishore Kumar, Alisha Chinai: Mr India (1987)
Mere Pyar Ki Umar ~ Manmohan Singh, Lata Mangeshkar: Waaris (1988)
Gazab Ka Hai Din ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke ~ Lata Mangeshkar: Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
Jaane Kaise Kab Kahan ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Shakti (1982)
‘Jaane Kaise Kab Kahan’ shows Amitabh Bachchan with the late actress, Smita Patil.
We see this Shakti Jodi in the woods, splashing water and by the fire asking how, when and where they fell in love. This RDÂ Burman catchy track emphasises on the innocence of true love.
Kishor Vittal of YouTube writes: “Panchamda composed music in such a beautiful way, that you feel the song was made for you.”
Saagar Kinaare ~ Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar: Saagar (1985)
From the “La La La,” at the beginning, a kaleidoscopic image of love is formed.
One watches a heroic Rishi Kapoor and timid Dimple Kapadia kissing, smiling and expressing their love to each other on the beach. You just can’t get enough from this evergreen Bobby Jodi!
Ganesh Kelkar comments on YouTube: “Nice song, sung by legendary singer Kishore and Lata.”
Har Kisi Ko ~ Manhar Udhas, Sadhana Sargam: Janbaaz (1986)
Feroz Khan drifts into dream mode as he reminisces the beloved Sridevi – who dances in a sultry red sari.
The two actors discuss how they are fortunate to have each other, saying:
“Khushnaseeb Hai Woh, Jinko Hai Mili, Yeh Bahar Zindagi Mein.”
“Listening to this song in 2016, 30 years after movie releasing. Still, you can feel the same magic of the ’80s,” Qasim Shaikh applauds the song on YouTube.
Kate Nahin Kat Te ~ Kishore Kumar, Alisha Chinai: Mr India (1987)
Sridevi in a turquoise sari, grooving with ‘Mr India’ on a rainy night. This Laxmikant-Pyarelal seductive number is truly memorable.
Here, Anil Kapoor tells Sridevi how life is tough for him to survive and ultimately says: “I Love You.” This is one track which you just need to have on repeat!
Premendra Singhal writes about the song on YouTube: “Great orchestration by LP and equally melodious tune.”
Mere Pyar Ki Umar ~ Manmohan Singh, Lata Mangeshkar: Waaris (1988)
“My love should be the age which begins with you and ends with you.” These are what Verma Malik’s beautiful lyrics convey.
Amrita Singh and Raj Babbar are seen embracing each other in the fields, pledging to never separate.
The best line here is: “Teri Khushi Se Hai Khushi. Tere Gham Se Hai Gham.” Meaning: “Your happiness is related to me and your sadness is associated with me.”
Pradip Kumar, enjoying the song on YouTube praises: “Absolutely wonderful song. My most favourite song, dedicated to my love, my heartbeat.”
Gazab Ka Hai Din ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla have eloped from their families to be with each other in the film, singing about the beautiful day.
“Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele, Maza Aa Raha Hai… Kasam Se!” A couple on-the-runner, yet enjoying each other’s presence.
Undoubtedly, It’s Anand-Milind’s best!
Feeling nostalgic after hearing the song, Gandada Gudi cites on YouTube: “Memories! Hard to believe even I had a carefree childhood, with nothing but tension in life nowadays! I miss my childhood very badly.”
Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke ~ Lata Mangeshkar: Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
Wearing a beautiful yellow saree, Bhagyashree sings how her crazy heart does not listen without her beloved Salman Khan.
Raam-Laxman at their ultra best here, Asad Bhopali’s divine lyrics compares love with reverence.
In fact, Planet Bollywood lists the album as their fifth favourite in the ‘100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtrack’ list. They note:
“Dil Deewana is the piece-to-resistance of this album. Both Lata Mangeshkar and SP Balasubramaniam sing their version superbly.”
On the whole, ’80s Bollywood was jam-packed with romantic renditions.
While these are a few popular songs, one cannot forget tracks like: “Dard-E-Dil” (Karz: 1980) “Humhein Tumse Pyaar Hai Kitna” (Kudrat: 1981), “Hum Tumhe Chahtein” (Qurbani: 1981), “Na Jaane Kya Hua” (Dard: 1981), “Neele Neele Ambar” (Kalakaar: 1983) and “Hum Jis Raste Pe” (Teri Kasam: 1982).
These tracks remain our favourites even today!
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