As a tribute to Asha Bhosle, I have already added her Top 50 Bollywood Songs of the 1960s. This is a filtered list of Asha Bhosle’s Top 15 Solo Bollywood Songs of the 1960s. Definitely, every song has been exceptionally sung by the legend.
While everyone talks about her beautiful songs composed by R. D. Burman in the 1970s and 1980s, I prefer to talk about her best career-defining songs of the 1960s, which I personally love a lot.
Asha Bhosle: Top 15 Solo Bollywood Songs of the 1960s
1. Nigahen Milane Ko from Dil Hi To Hai (1963)
(Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi, Music Composer: Roshan)
Let me begin this list of Asha Bhosle’s top soulful solos of the 1960s with this beautiful qawwali. Undoubtedly, Roshan gave Asha her career-best qawwalis – Na To Karavan Ki Talash Hai from Barsaat Ki Raat, performed by a group of artists, and the solo track, Nigahen Milane Ko from Dil Hi To Hai filmed on Nutan and Raj Kapoor. Both these qawwalis were penned by the greatest poet, Sahir Ludhianvi. It’s so much fun to watch this song on screen.
2. Aage Bhi Jane Na Tu from Waqt (1965)
(Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi, Music Composer: Ravi)
Ravi, who frequently collaborated with Asha Bhosle, worked with her for the film Waqt in 1965. This multi-starrer film had many beautiful songs sung by Asha Bhosle. Aage Bhi Jane Na Tu – lip-synced by the model Erica Lal, definitely deserves a place in the top 15 solo songs of Asha Bhosle in the 1960s. Shashikala, Raaj Kumar, Sadhana, Sunil Dutt, and Shashi Kapoor appeared on screen.
The film also included Asha solos such as – Kaun Aaya Kay Nigahon Mein Chamak Jaag Uthi and Chehare Pe Kushi Chhaa Jaati Hai, and duets such as – Din Hai Bahar Ke Tere Mere Ikrar Ke and Hum Jab Simat Ke Aapke Bahon Mein Aa Gaye. Waqt was the fifth best-selling Hindi film album of the 1960s. Definitely, this album belongs to Asha and the singer, Manna Dey, who rendered his voice for the timeless classic, Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen. Sahir Ludhianvi penned the lyrics.
3. Yahi Woh Jagah Hai from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966)
(Lyricist: S. H. Bihari, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
S. H. Bihari penned some of his best songs for the film, Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, composed by O. P. Nayyar. It’s interesting that, out of the 8 tracks of the album, the composer used Asha Bhosle’s voice to record 7 songs, which include 4 solos, 2 duets with Rafi and one duet with Minoo Purushottam. Yahi Woh Jagah Hai is a beautiful soft number filmed on the lead pair, Sharmila Tagore and Biswajeet.
4. Raat Akeli Hai from Jewel Thief (1966)
(Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: S. D. Burman)
We have seen many beautiful albums in the 1960s with almost every female voice rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, and one or two songs by Asha Bhosle, and in many occasions, that single track becomes a huge hit, alongside Lata’s songs. Two such instances of S. D. Burman in the 1960s are Raat Akeli Hai from Jewel Thief and Are Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho from Teen Deviyan. No one else can sing this sizzling track better than Asha Ji, and the screen presence of Tanuja, aside Dev Anand, made this song immortal.
5. Jab Chali Thandi Hawa from Do Badan (1966)
(Lyricist: Shakeel Badayuni, Music Composer: Ravi)
Do Badan was the last romantic film of Manoj Kumar, before he fully switched to patriotic films, and Asha Parekh played the female lead in this love tragedy. Ravi recorded numerous melodious tracks in the 1950s and 1960s in Asha Bhosle’s voice, and Jab Chali Thandi Hawa, filmed on Asha Parekh and Manoj Kumar, is one such beautiful song.
6. Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge from Mere Sanam (1965)
(Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
Yet another beautiful Asha song filmed on Asha Parekh, the song with meaningful lyrics is always listed among her career-best songs. The intro portion of the song is sung by Rafi. Yet it’s widely considered as a solo song sung by Asha Bhosle. Biswajit Chatterjee appeared alongside Asha Parekh in this beautifully filmed song.
7. Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka from Mere Sanam (1965)
(Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
Another song appearing from the same album, it was picturized on Biswajit Chatterjee and Mumtaz. Mumtaz was mostly in B-Grade films and second lead roles throughout the 1960s, before her image totally changed during the years 1969-1970, soon after doing a couple of films with Rajesh Khanna. In this song, Mumtaz is trying to seduce the hero.
8. Zindagi Ittefaq Hai from Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969)
(Lyricist: Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Music Composer: Ravi)
When it comes to Mumtaz songs, Zindagi Ittefaq Hai sung by Asha Bhosle, deserves a mention in this list. Zindagi Ittefaq Hai had two Asha Bhosle versions, both lip-synced by Mumtaz, who played a pivotal role in the film. Dharmendra and Feroz Khan appeared alongside Mumtaz in the solo version, while Saira Banu joined the same group in the duet version. Mumtaz appeared as a performer in both these songs, which are always listed among her career bests.
9. Zindagi Ke Rang Kai Re Saathi Re from Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969)
(Lyricist: Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Music Composer: Ravi)
Zindagi Ke Rang Kai Re Saathi Re was filmed on Saira Banu, and this philosophical song is among my personal favourites.
10. Jhumka Gira Re from Mera Saaya (1966)
(Lyricist: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Music Composer: Madan Mohan)
This dance sequence was filmed on Sadhana Shivdasani. This is the single Asha Song of the entire album. Though Mera Saaya is widely regarded as one of the best works of Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar combo, the popularity of Jhumka Gira Re can’t be ignored. Lyrics were penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.
In 2023, the song was recreated for the film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and the revived version featuring Alia Bhat and Ranveer Singh went viral through shots.
11. Woh Haseen Dard De Do from Humsaaya (1968)
(Lyricist: Shevan Rizvi, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
Joy Mukherjee played a double role in this film. One of them was a Chinese officer who had a Chinese girlfriend. Mala Sinha looked different in a Chinese getup, and this song is included in my personal favourites sung by Asha Bhosle. In this song, Mala Sinha tries to stop her lover from leaving, and she appears too romantic.
12. Aaj Koi Pyar Se from Sawan Ki Ghata (1966)
(Lyricist: S. H. Bihari, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
Everyone talks about the fun song, Zara Haule Haule Chalo, featuring Manoj Kumar and Sharmila Tagore. But this song, filmed on Mumtaz, is my personal favourite.
13. Aao Huzoor Tumko from Kismat (1968)
(Lyricist: Noor Devasi, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
This song can never miss my list. This mesmerising song was filmed on Babita, who appears intoxicated throughout the song. She tries to express her feelings towards Biswajit Chatterjee in this song. The time when the song was shot and recorded, it was a bold move for the lead heroine. However, Asha Bhosle accepted all songs which came her way, and we can’t deny the fact that Asha Bhosle’s voice is the highlight of the song, and no one else can sing it better than her.
14. Aankhon Se Jo Utri Hai from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)
(Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)
This romantic track is one of my top favourite Asha songs forever. It’s filmed with my favourite actress, Asha Parekh, too.
Asha Bhosle worked extensively for Asha Parekh in the 1960s, and they together gave some of the classic hits mostly composed by Ravi, R. D Burman and O. P. Nayyar. Asha Parekh worked with Joy Mukherjee in several romantic movies in the 1960s, and their pair remained successful. The movie is known for many popular songs of Rafi and Asha, and Nasneen Bada Rangeen/ Humdum Mere Khel Na Jaano is a very popular duet sung by these leading voices.
15. Tere Khayalo Mein Hum from Geet Gaya Patharon Ne (1964)
(Lyricist: Ramlal, Music Composer: Vishwamitra Adil)
I am concluding this list of Asha Bhosle’s top solos of the 1960s with this beautiful song filmed on Jeetendra and Rajshree. The movie was a musical hit. Yet the composer and lyricist never received the fame they truly deserved. Also read: My Top Favourite 15 Songs of Asha Bhosle.
Also read a few more interesting posts about Asha Bhosle. Click the page link here.
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