(Amit Dang  of Sounds of India does a fabulous job each year to come up with the top 25 songs for the year. He was kind enough to share the list with us along with the transcript of his show.)

Amit Dang Presents Top 25 Of 2005..

We have for you, our annual Top 25 Countdown.  You can expect to hear the best of the best from our regulars like Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, and Udit Narayan, as well as some newcomers like Atif, Rabbi, and Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant.  Once again, this is Amit Dang asking you to sit back, relax, and enjoy this fun and exciting edition of Sounds of India.

25) Tenu Ishq Hua (Saru Maini)
 Not sure why, but I always like starting the year-end hit list with a romantic number versus some of the year’s hotter items.  At #25, here is a singer Sarun Maini with a very special voice with the song having a nice, beautiful sound.  This is a song from her her debut album, Ishq Hua.

24) Title Song, Chanda Ki Doli (Sonu Nigam)
 Let’s continue on with another solo album. . .This next performer is at the peak of his career these days after being the most liked judge on the 'Indian Idol' show.  The ever-popular Sonu Nigam’s  title song from his album titled Chanda Ki Doli comes  at #24.

23) Title Song,  Neal ‘n Nikki (KK, Shweta Pandit)
The title song to Neal ‘n’ Nikki (or otherwise known as N3 to some circles) comes from the latest Yash Raj film.  Uday Chopra is featured for the first time since his Dhoom and opposite him comes the new look, Tanisha.  This song marks the introduction to the two main characters, which I found to be very fun and happy.  At 23 on this year’s countdown are KK and Shweta Pandit from Neal ‘n’ Nikki.

22) Meri Aankhon Mein Tum, Yakeen (Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik)
Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik team up to sing this beautiful duet Meri Aankhon Mein Tumfrom Yakeen.  Sitting safely at #22 on the countdown for 2005, is Yakeen starring Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra.

21) Meri Chahaton Ka Samundar, Jurm (Abhijeet, Alka Yagnik)
Performing this time with Abhijeet, here is Alka Yagnik once again singing over Anu Malik’s beautiful music.  At  #21 is Meri Chahaton Ka Samundar picturized on  Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta.

20) Chilman Uthegi Nahin,  Kisna (group)
Subhash Ghai made a huge splash in the beginning of 2005 with Kisna.  This song is one of the best that the film has to offer.  Sushmita Sen’s highly anticipated mujra, which uses Javed Akhtar’s lyrics made a big splash.  This is a wonderful song brought to us by the combination of many performers most notably Hariharan and Alka Yagnik.  Breaking into the top #20, is Chilman Uthegi Nahin,  Kisna

19)  Vaada Hai Yeh , Vaada (Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik)
Vaada Hai Yeh opens the album with legendary names in the music world, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik with Sanu presenting electrifying vocals.  This is another film that came out early in the year starring the trio of Arjun Rampal, Amisha Patel, and Zayed Khan.  We enter the teens with Vaada  Hai Yeh at #19.

18)  Mohabbatein Lutaaunga , Aapka Apna Abhijeet Sawant (Abhijeet Sawant)
 Abhijeet Sawant lives in a colony near India’s biggest slum - Dharavi.  He applied to the Indian Idol contest on a whim, but didn’t really think that he’d get selected. Then, after seven months of competing against hundreds of contestants, Abhijeet was crowned the very first Indian Idol. He had a tough competitor in Amit Sana, but the millions of Indians who voted in were sure that Abhijeet was their man.  Mohabbatein Lutaaunga from his debut album, Aapka Abhijeet Sawant,  is our choice for #18 on this years hit list.

17)  Agar Tum Mil Jao , Zaher (Shreya Ghoshal)
Melody is the key highlight of Anu Malik recreated track ' Agar Tum Mil Jaayo ' that is sung beautifully by Shreya Ghoshal. With slight shades and feel of the numbers from ' Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi', this number also boasts of good lyrics.  Coming in at #17 on Sounds of India’s Countdown,  is Shreya Ghoshal in Zeher.

16) Ek Bewafaa Hai, Bewafaa (Sonu Nigam)
When you have a stellar starcast of Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen, Kareena Kapoor, and Manoj Bajpai with Nadeem Shravan and Sameer taking care of the musical score, you can be rest assured that the project cannot go wrong! Sonu Nigam comes up with a pop version of the main number  ' Ek Bewafa Hai ' that has an amazing orchestra, which changes the entire mood of the song.  Coming in at # 16 is  Ek Bewafaa Hai, Bewafaa , which is definitely the best song of the album.

15)  Tauba Tauba, Kaal (Sonu Nigam , Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauha , Richa Sharma)
Karan Johar lives up the promise he made to his fans a year and a half ago. After basking in the glory of three mega universal successes Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho, he vowed that his next film would be a genuinely 'hatke' movie. Result is for everyone to be seen in the shape of ' Kaal ' that is a joint production of Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar with Soham making his debut as a director.  Starring some of the best talent in the industry – Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham with Shah Rukh Khan in a guest appearance, 'Kaal' has Lara Dutta and post-Dhoom Esha Deol.  Both females look wicked hot in the song, Tauba Tauba coming in at #15.

14) Aadat, Kaliyug (Atif)
Moving onto #14, this is THE song that stays with you even when the movie is over.  Here is the best track of the movie Kalyug that came before in an original Pakistani-pop version.  This song has rapidly gained recognition in India, and I’m sure you’ll agree it belongs on this countdown.  At #14 is the newcomer Atif singing  Aadat in Kalyug.

13) Barsaat Ke Din Aaye, Barsaat (Kumar Sanu,Alka Yagnik)
 
With the trio of Bobby Deol - Bipasha Basu - Priyanka Chopra, buzz was created for Barsaat with the anticipation rising with each passing day before the release.  As a huge supporter of Kumar Sanu, I was thrilled to have him back rendering the opening number of this melodious album. This heart-warming number has simple lyrics put to an even simpler yet melodious tune.  Nadeem Shravan stick to what they are best at and most capable of doing and prove once again that melody reigns in any season! Alka Yagnik is as always at her best while rendering for a Nadeem Shravan tune.  At #13 on Sounds of India’s 2005 countdown, is ) Barsaat Ke Din Aaye .

12)  Sun Zara, Lucky (Adnan Sami)
My fiancée, Pragya, suggested I insert this song high into the countdown as it is very easy to fall in love with this tune.  After listening to this number, I can see where she’s coming from.  Sonu Nigam sings one version of this song, but I think no countdown could be complete without an Adnan Sami sighting.  You will love this song as much as we do here at Sounds of India.  Coming in at #12,  is Sun Zara, Lucky!

11) Nach Baliye, Bunty Aur Babli (Shankar Mahadevan, Somya Rao and Loy Mendonsa)
 
The pop-Bhangra 'Naach Baliye' is given over to Shankar Mahadevan, Somya Rao and Loy Mendonsa to create a kind of kaleidoscopic compulsion on the dance floor
From the Yash Raj film, Bunty Aur Babli, here is possibly my favorite dance number of 2005.  Moving on to #11,  is Nach Baliye for your dancing pleasure.

10) Just Chill, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (Sonu Nigam ,Jayesh Gandhi Amrita Kak)
 This song goes out to my little cousin, Anuj as he was the one to play this song enough times for me that I actually started not hating it.  This is an instant ticket to the dance floor. Sonu Nigam, Jayesh Gandhi and new-find Amrita Kak ably get into the groove and Himesh Reshammiya’s disco beats make this one an ideal choice for helping us break into the ever-important Top 10.  Hope you enjoy this corny yet enjoyable track from Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. 

9)  Bulla Ki Jana, Rabbi (Rabbi)
Being half Punjabi, you would think I might understand the language.  I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t understand a word.  Generally, it’s the dance songs I fall in love with, but here’s a number that has thoroughly impressed me from the moment I first heard it.  Coming it at #9 on the hit list, is Rabbi.

8)  Kaal Dhamaal,Kaal (Kunal Ganjawala , Ravi "Rags" Khote, Caralisa)

Coming back to the Karan Johar movie, Kaal, here’s the title track that had India buzzing for months.  Kunal Ganjawala is fast reaching up the top singer bracket as this number appears to be a mass-appealing song due to its pacy music, dance beats, and punch.  Shah Rukh Khan and the absolutely drop-dead gorgeous Malaika Arora star in this superhit song from Kaal. . .coming in at #8.

7) Piya Bole, Parineeta (Sonu Nigam,Shreya Ghoshal)
From the same author as Devdas, Parineeta is set in the era of the British Raj.  Shreya Ghoshal is nearly flawless in her singing while Sonu Nigam as Saif Ali Khan's voice does a perfect act. Both lyrics and music are so simple and laidback that they sound more like a nursery rhyme than a romantic duet.  At lucky #7 on this years hit list, I’m sure you’ll love this beauty from Parineeta.

6) Title Song (remix), Aashiq Banaya Aapne (Himesh Reshammiya)

 Himesh Reshammiya turns singer with this track and does a commendable job with his rendition that is full throated and based on Sufi style of music. A foot tapping number that has Shreya Ghoshal appearing just for a few lines intermittently, its remix has an added assortment of 'bhangra' and western instruments that make it further peppy and extremely catchy.  This song is worthy of playing on a loud volume as its popularity climaxed over the summer and can still be enjoyed even through today.  The title song of Aashiq Banaya Apne comes  in at #6.

5) My Dil Goes Mmmm, Salaam Namaste (Shaan, Gayatri Iyer)

 It won't be wrong to say that music has been one of the biggest crowd pulling factors for each of the Yash Raj movies  The music from this film struck gold on the music stands.  'Salaam Namaste' boasts a top line starcast in the form of Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta and John Abaraham.  Mixed in between dance numbers on this countdown, we have for you this sensational love song by Shaan and Gayatri Iyer.  Rounding out the top 5 is My Dil Goes Mmmm. 

4)  Dus Bahane, DUS (KK / Shaan)
Dus Bahaane" is the quintessential vigorous dance track with all the required zest and pep in the right places. No wonder the track is being lapped up by the youngsters on the mobile phone caller tunes and ring tones. Also, a definite play at all the clubs, the track naturally finds its place in the collections of the cell phones and blasting car stereos. Quite reminiscent of "Dhoom Machale", "Dus Bahaane" too has a video with the seductive boyish charms of Abhishek Bachchan and Zayed Khan on screen while that of KK and Shaan off the screen.   Dus Bahane  comes in at  #4 .

3)  Kajra Re, Bunty Aur Babli  (Shankar Mahadevan Alisha Chinai)

Bunty Aur Babli has given us great songs such as Dhadak Dhadak, Chup Chup Ke and Nach Baliye, which was included in this countdown already.  Our pick as the best of the freshly-plucked lot is the Alisha Chinai - helmed Qawwalli 'Kajra Re' filmed on the two Bachchans, Amitabh and Abhishek and, hold your breath, Aishwarya Rai.  This is the track that gets your body swaying unknowingly and your sole acquires a life of its own.  Alisha is a very sensuous singer. And when she combines her chords with Shankar Mahadevan there's bound to be an explosion… catch the falling shards of that explosion in 'Kajra Re' coming in at #3!!

2)  Hum Hain Iss Pal Main Hain, Kisna (Udit Narayan, Madhushree)

Those who are accustomed to A.R. Rahman’s style of music can tell right away that this next song is composed by the world-renowned music director. One can even tell by just looking at the credits of the track, which are vocally given to Udit Narayan and Madhushree, two of Rahman’s favorite.  I was in India back in January when this movie was released, and what made the film so enjoyable was how the theme music was spread out throughout the 3 hours.  Chills run through my body each time I listen to this song.  It takes alot a make it to the #2 song of the year.  Last year, we chose the Hum Tum title song. . .this year, we have , Kisna.  I know you’ll love it.

1a) Who Lamhe(remix),  Zeher (Atif)
 And here we are. . .Sounds of India’s choice for #1.  After much research and discussion, it was confirmed that this hit song fits the bill of mass appreciation.  Kicking off in the first half of the year, this song still remains very popular among the radio programs, tv shows, and clubs.  As the top selection for 2005, here is the newcomer Atif once again, this time singing in the song you’ve all been waiting for.  From Zeher, the remixed version of Woh Lamhe comes in at #1

1b) Who Lamhe, Zeher (Atif)
 I promised I would have a special treat for you.  Because we, at Sounds of India, take so much pride in the music we provide you. .this special edition of our show takes a lot of time, energy, and emotion to produce.  You just heard the remixed version of Woh Lamhe, because that was the more popular choice among Indians.  However, the original version of the song has more meaning to me.  I had a memorable trip to Masoori with Pragya over the summer while listening to this song repeatedly.  Also, this is the song I sing to my baby niece, Sophia in order to calm her down or put her to sleep.  2005 will go down as one of my more memorable years as my sister blessed our family with a beautiful baby girl, and my engagement ceremony to Pragya took place in January.  If I were to select one song that represents the year as a whole, no question that it’s this version of Woh Lamhe from Zeher.  Well, Ladies & Gentleman, that brings this years countdown to an end.  On behalf of Stu, Mom, Dad, Neil, and Bob, our studio engineer who this show could not have been produced without, this is Amit Dang wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.  Thanks for staying with us each week as we enter our 32nd year of consecutive broadcasting. 

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