"haven't seen such a lovely combination of beauty and voice"
The ‘Nightingale of Pakistan’ late Nazia Hassan left this world at the age of thirty-five, but her melodious music and catchy super hits still rule the pop industry across the subcontinent.
She has many admirers throughout the world who frequently listen to her songs, especially when celebrating the birthday and death anniversary of Nazia.
Nazia became famous when she received an early call up to Bollywood. Working closely with British Asian music producer Biddu, Nazia and brother Zoheb Hassan reached peak heights.
The trio had several successful pop albums including Disco Deewane (1981), Boom Boom (1982), Young Tarang (1983) and Hotline (1984).
Songs of Nazia Hassan were also part of other Bollywood films, with Star (1982) topping the list.
To refresh our memory, we go back in time, compiling a list of 10 touching Nazia Hassan songs:
Aap Jaisa Koi – Qurbani (1980)
‘Aap Jaia Koi’ is a track, which made Nazia Hassan an overnight sensation across the border, in Pakistan and across the world.
Eminent UK Producer Biddu is the producer of the song. Nazia was only fifteen years of age at the time. She could have not asked for a better break than this.
Featuring in the film Qurbani by late Feroz Khan, fans remember the sizzling dance moves of Zeenat Aman.
The song, three minutes and forty-five seconds in durations had iconic lyrics from the beginning till the end:
“Phool Ko Bahar, Bahar Ko Chaman, Dil Ko Dil Badan Ko Badan, Har Kisiko Chhahiye Tann Mann Ka Milan.”
The song had record sales in the subcontinent, along with topping the charts in Latin America, Russia and West Indies.
Nazia won the ‘Best Female Playback Singer’ at the 1981 Filmfare Awards for this song. Many artists have done remixes of this disco song.
Watch Nazia Hassan Live Performance of ‘Aap Jaisa Koi’ here:
Aao Na – Disco Deewane (1981)
Nazia Hassan sings ‘Aao Na,’ the number one track from the record-breaking pop album Disco Deewane.
Biddu, produced the song, implementing some creative instrumentation in the song
Nazia and brother Zoheb Hassan are the writers of the lyrics. The words of the song, celebrate love, with the opening lines reading:
“Aao Na Pyar Karein, Hum Aur Tum Raj Karein.”
Nazia did a live performance of the song for BBC in 1982, which became a massive hit.
The song is just over four minutes in duration. Praising Nazia and her voice, a fan on YouTube posted:
“From teen up-to now haven’t seen such a lovely combination of beauty and voice…Nazia herself and her music was way beyond her time…
“Although she’s gone but will always be alive in my heart.. RIP queen of pop.”
Watch Nazia Hassan perform to ‘Aao Na’ here:
Disco Deewane (1981)
‘Disco Deewane’ from the namesake album saw Nazia Hassan sing the popular song, breaking many records.
Zoheb Hassan features in the symbolic video of the song and has gone on stage to perform the track with Nazia on many occasions in the past.
The catchy musical composition by Biddu is appealing for any time or place.
The harmonising lyrics by Anwar Khalid will get listeners to calmy dance to the melodious music.
The song is often described as a pièce de résistance, in reference to Nazia’s most remarkable creative collaboration.
There are several cover versions to the song. Nazia herself did a remix single version in the English language titled ‘Dreamer Deewane’ (1982).
She became the first singer of Pakistani origin to make it into the UK pop charts with the release of this single.
As a hot party number, a revamped version of the track also features in the Karan Johar directorial, Student of the Year (2012).
On-screen, the song stars Ali Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra.
Watch ‘Disco Deewane’ here:
Tere Kadmon Ko – Disco Deewane (1981)
Nazia Hassan alongside Zoheb Hassan sings ‘Tere Kadmon Ko’, the sixth track of the album Disco Deewane.
Composer Biddu produces a gripping tune for this pop song, which has a rock feel to it as well.
In the video of the song, both singers are wearing matching attire. The only difference being Zoheb is visible in a western outfit, with Nazia in traditional wear.
The two gently dance, with slow hand movements to express themselves in the video to the song.
Complimenting and analysing the song, a user of YouTube writes:
“Can’t believe this song is 37 years old. They were just so much ahead of their time…
“Love this song and Off course Nazia…”
Watch ‘Tere Kadmon Ko’ here:
Boom Boom – Star (1982)
‘Boom Boom’ is a mega-hit song from the same name album, making Nazia Hassan the 80s queen of pop music.
This being her second album, the lovable composition by Biddu will get listeners to have the song on repeat.
The track has lyrical depth with a captivating chorus:
“Haan Boom Boom Jabhi Miltay Hain Hum Aur Tum, Aankhon Aankhoon Mein Hote Hein Gum, Dil Bolay Boom Boom.”
The song became so popular that it became part of the Bollywood film Star (1982), featuring Rati Agnihotri on screen.
This song earnt Nazia Hassan her second ‘Best Female Playback Singer nomination for the 30th Filmfare Awards in 1983.
Watch ‘Boom Boom’ from Star here:
Aag – Young Tarang (1983)
‘Aag’ leads the way in Young Tarang, the third studio album of Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan. Nazia sings the track ‘Aag’ on her own. The track makes comparisons of life and creation with fire.
The shooting of this flaming music video with stunning visual effect took place in London.
The four-minute video begins with upbeat music, showing fire, a fiery snake and eyes of Nazia as she sings the line:
“Aag Deday, Aag Lelay, Aag Sai Hai Zindagi Yahan.”
A YouTube user linking this song to love, says:
“I always looked this song in more of a love/passion way, as the word fire metaphorically used for Love…”
Watch ‘Aag’ here:
Dum Dum Dee Dee – Youg Tarang (1983)
The second track of the album Young Tarang is the psychedelic ‘Dum Dum Dee Dee’ by Nazia Hassan.
The song is like a desi version of an Alice in Wonderland setting.
The fantasy video song opens with the unveiling of a mystery glass ball. The video just over four minutes has an energetic beat to it.
The holistic and romantic lyrics celebrate the notion of love:
‘Jab Se Tum Ko Maine Dekha Hua Kya Mujhay Kya Pata, Socthi Kya Hoon Aur Kehti Kya, Pee li Maine Pyar Ki Dawa’
The swaying tunes and special video will stick in your head forever.
Watch ‘Dum Dum Dee Dee’ here:
Dosti – Young Tarang (1983)
‘Dosti’ is the classical fun-loving fifth track from the album Young Tarang. The song is a duet by siblings Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan.
This bonding track became the ultimate time testing friendship pop anthem.
In the video the brother and sister dressed in white have fun. Besides having blood relations, the song portrays them as being the best of friends.
After listening to this song, friendship can only become stronger – be it in any relationship.
The lines, “Jab Hum Dum Milay, Sab Kuch Milay” remain forever in the hearts of Nazia Hassan fans.
The duo sang the song during a Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) show.
Watch Nazia and Zoheb Hassan performing ‘Dosti’ here:
Aankhen Milane Wale – Young Tarang (1983)
‘Aankhein Milane Wale’ is the ninth super hit track from the album Young Tarang. This ballad is famous for its beautiful lyrics, the performance of Nazia, delicate disco touch and memorable video.
In the video, Nazia is visibly wearing a pastel pink dress, concealing her face at times with a mask and singing the heartful lines:
“Aankhein Milane Wale, Dil Ko Churane Wale, Mujh Ko Bhulaana Nahin.”
She wears a blue attire as the video cuts into her sitting on a table, alongside the company of a male.
The video to the song touches the soul through the moving music and by the simple Cinderella-type performance of Nazia.
The video shot in London will always bring back sweet memories of Nazia.
Watch ‘Aankehin Milane Wale’ here:
Telephone Pyar – Hotline (1987)
‘Telephone Pyar’ is the first track from Hotline, the fourth studio album by brother-sister duo Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan.
Other than Nazia, the voice of her sister Zahra Hassab also features in the song. Taking inspiration by the trend of crank calls, Zoheb wrote the lyrics of the song:
“Dekha Nahi Mein Ne Kabhi, Tujhko Ahaan, Kaisy Awaz, Kaisa Hai Raaz Ahaan Anhaan Haan. Tu Hai Kyun Yeh To Bata, Itefaaq Se Tera Number Mila.
“Teen Teen-Do Do- Chaar Chaar Mujhko Ho Gaya Tujh Se Pyar, Teri Awaz Mein Sunno Baar Baar,Mujhko Ho Gaya Telephone Pyar.”
In the video of the song, viewers can hear the telephone ringing also, with either the caller not speaking or it being a wrong number.
Nazia did a fantastic performance to the song for a BBC show.
Watch ‘Telephone Pyar’ here:
Songs that miss out on this list include ‘Dil Ki Lagi’ (Camera Camera: 1992) and ‘Tali De Thalle Beh Ke’ (Best of Nazia Hassan: 1995).
The innocent and reserved, Nazia Hassan was born in Karachi on April 23, 1965. Nazia’s father, Basir Hassan was a businessman, with her mother, Muniza Bashir being a social worker.
After appearing on PTV as a child artist, Nazia sold millions of records during a fifteen-year career span.
To purse philanthropy, Nazia made the decision to take a back seat from singing.
Nazia held several degrees, including an LLB from London University.
Earning critical acclaim, the Pakistan government awarded her the ‘Pride of Performance,’ the country’s highest civilian award.
After a long battle with lung cancer, Nazia sadly passed away in London on August 13, 2000.
Whilst Nazia Hassan is no more, she continues to move us with her amazing songs.
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