The others

There are songs that you hear. There are songs that you listen to. There are songs that you like. There are songs that you love.

And then there are 'the others'.

Songs that are associated with certain persons, certain scenarios, certain times, certain memories. Songs that create moments. Songs that we like in spite of not liking them, just because someone we like, likes them. And every time we come across these songs, everything comes back to us in a rush, bringing back all our thoughts and experiences associated with them.

Here's my list:

Pari hoon main ('I'm a fairy') - Album: Dhuan
I was a little girl when this song became a rage. I remember my sis used to absolutely love it. Once I asked her what I should give her for her birthday, and she said, "I wish I could have this song recorded over and over again on both sides of an audio cassette, so I could listen to it again and again without having to rewind." (Yeah, those were the days, walkmans and audio cassettes, no MP3s, no winamp, no 'play on loop'.)

Pehla pehla pyaar hai ('This is first love') - Album: Hum Aapke Hain Kaun?
When I was in school, a guy in my class used to lean back on his desk during breaktime, and sing this song, ensuring that I could hear it. He would stress a particular line because it contained my nickname. Ah, bittersweet memories of schooltime crushes.

'Sweet child of mine' by Guns n Roses
First year in university. My first visit to a disco. The unpleasant smell of beer and cigarette smoke. I remember this friend of mine, and how happy this song used to make him. Pity we don't talk anymore.

Chhui mui si tum lagti ho ('You're like touch-me-not') - Album: Yeh Hai Prem
Somehow, to me, this was the symbolic song for the purest and most innocent kind of love that could exist between a guy and a girl. I could watch the video about the girl-next-door and the visiting neighbour's brother again and again.

Shaher ki ladki ('City girl') - Album: Rakshak
When I first saw the song, all I wanted to do was wear the fabulous purple dress that Raveena wore and catwalk down a clean and newly-constructed railway track. I think that on some levels, this is something I still want to do some time in my life.

Do baatein ho sakti hain, sanam tere inkaar ki
Ya duniya se tu darti hai, ya kadar nahin mere pyaar ki
('There could be two reasons for your denial. Either you're afraid of the world, or you don't appreciate my love for you')
- Album: Imtihaan
Another schooltime love story. Guy in class wrote this down on a small piece of paper, folded it and asked someone to pass it on to me after school. Heart-breaking stuff.

'I just called to say I love you' by Stevie Wonder
During my internship, I was at work when I got a phone call. And this guy, who I'd never heard singing, and who I never thought could sing, was crooning away. I don't know if I was touched or amused.

'Superstar' by Jamelia
When I was visiting my cousin in London coupla years back, I'd insist that he play this song ALL the time that we drove around. He was sweet enough to oblige every single time. I think it drove him nuts. He probably threw the CD outta the window on his way back from the airport after seeing me off.

Dhoom macha le ('Rock it') - Album: Dhoom
April 2005. Cousin's wedding. For the first time in the history of my family, we got the upper generation to dance with us. Had never seen my Dad and Mom do the bhangra in my life before. Awesome stuff.

Woh lamhe ('Those moments') - Album: Zeher
At the same wedding, a cousin whom I hadn't seen in almost a decade said, "You will love this." and played it as he took me for a drive. I was amazed how he was able to tell what kinda song I would like. After that, we played it ALL the time we were in the car. It became the song that brought cousins from India, UK, US and Singapore together, as every one of us adored the song in spite of our differences in background, culture and taste.

Bheege honth tere ('Your moist lips') - Album: Murder
A trip to Kuala Lumpur. A friend and I obsessed over this song for ages, often playing it on loop like 40 times. What a song. And what utter obsession.

Piyu bole ('The songbird says') - Album: Parineeta
Another song I had been obsessed with. Transmitted it to a local colleague among others. Can never forget the sound of the song coming from her computer in the office, shocking the hell outta everybody.

Graduation by Vitamin C
This guy in uni that I did not know very well, was desperately looking for the MP3 of the song, and he messaged who else, but the queen of MP3s, to ask for it. I sent the song over and he promised me a movie treat. And that's how I met one of the greatest guys I know today.

Dheere jalna ('Burn slowly') - Album: Paheli
When I first spoke to this friend on MSN, this song was playing on my computer. After that, every time I spoke to him, I HAD to play this song. And considering the insane amounts of time we talk for, looks like this song is here to stay.

Bulla ki jana main kaun
Will always remember this song by WH Anil's translation of the lyrics. Funniest thing I'd read in a long long time! Every time I listen to it, I crack up. That is one talented man!

The reason by Hoobastank
Three words. Bar None. Addy.

Tanha dil ('Lonely heart') - Album: Tanha Dil
One of Shaan's first ever songs. Indescribable feelings were evoked in me when I saw the video where they showed him leaving his friends behind and moving on to follow his dreams in life. Kinda like what I felt when I left everything I had in India to move to a foreign land for ten years.

How does your list look like?