Whitman once cried, “O to make the most jubilant song!”. I am not sure if it is a cultural thing, but in general the Hindi songs we remember the most are rarely jubilant in nature. Even if there is an occasional happy peppy song, it is usually introduced as comic relief and not an “Ode to Joy” by the main characters. Of course you do hear songs that joyfully express love, but even in those cases, the lyricists seem to be compelled to introduce a more sober, philosophical tone halfway through, as though levity somehow is beneath the dignity of the hero and heroine. I am not saying that we cannot find truly joyful songs that have endured the test of time, but one has to look for them.
In this playlist some of those voices rise, unafraid, uninhibited, each one a flare of happiness sent up into the sky.
Here are the joys of the body in motion, the swing of hips, the tapping of feet, the laughter that spills over like sunlight on water. Here are the everyday miracles that Whitman loved — the breeze on the face, the warmth of noon, the simple delight of being alive on a day that feels generous.
And here, too, is the great democratic chorus he cherished: the street‑corner shout, the festival drum, the communal clapping of hands, the shared exhale of a people celebrating together.
These songs do not whisper their gladness. They announce it — bold as brass, bright as festival banners, joy rising like a shout from the rooftops.
And so, in the spirit of Whitman’s own call — “O to make the most jubilant song!” — step forward into the sunlight. Turn the volume up. Let these songs lift you, spin you, carry you.
This is your Song of Joys. Sing it with your whole being.
What are your favorite “Songs of Joy”? Please tell us in the comments section below.
Below are the songs that match this Whitmanian exuberance — songs that declare happiness, not hint at it.
GOLDEN ERA (’50s–’70s)
Sun‑bright, melodic, unhindered joy. Joy that left a mark on you, leaving you humming the tune long after coming out of the Theater.
1. Thandi Hawayein — Naujawan (1951)
Nalini Jaywant & Premnath in the movie Naujawan. Listen: https://youtu.be/P6r3srBQz0k?list=RDP6r3srBQz0k
Nalini Jaywant dancing in the gentle breeze singing about “thandi hawayein” is such an iconic frame, even if it arrives in such a contrived twist of the plot. Prem Nath as the mysterious car mechanic who falls in love with the rich and pampered Nalini Jaywant gave a great performance. Makes you wonder why he was not able to sustain his career as a hero, despite working with the top heroines of the time like Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant.
S.D. Burman’s music, Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics and Nalini’s graceful movements in the gentle breeze make this one of my favorite songs. Usually I prefer Geeta Dutt or Asha Bhonsle for love songs, but here Lata’s rendition brings out the elation felt by the heroine perfectly. This song is also the fountainhead of many songs to come in future, but more of that later.
A breezy, smiling melody that feels like stepping into sunlight after rain. It’s the joy of first love.
2. Hum The Woh Thi — Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
Kishore Kumar & Anup Kumar in the movie Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. Listen: https://youtu.be/WNJdkz_1oqk?list=RDWNJdkz_1oqk
Once again, a car mechanic falls in love with a pampered rich girl. Kishore completely erased the barrier between a hero and a comedian. He made full body gyrations fasionable long before Shammi Kapoor.
This is one of the most boisterously joyful ways of revealing one’s love. Anup Kumar’s expressions and his plaintive “Oh Mannu, tera to hua, ab mera kya hoga?” only make Kishore’s antics more enjoyable.
Another S.D. Burman creation, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Who would’ve thought that the lyricist who wrote the iconic sad song “Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya” could be so playful with his words? (“जाते थे जापान, पहुँच गए चीन, समझगए ना!?”).
Joy here comes in the form of the unexpected delight of a chance encounter leading to head-over-heels love.
3. Jiya Ho Jiya Ho Jiya — Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)
Dev Anand & Asha Parekh in Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai. Listen: https://youtu.be/TY2qO3lt-dE?list=RDTY2qO3lt-dE
Dev Anand was the first leading man to play the charming, carefree lover, as opposed to the earnest, vulnerable love of Raj Kapoor, or the emotional, passionate love of Dilip Kumar. Shammi Kapoor in later years took this to the next level, but credit should go to Dev for changing the paradigm of love. Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai is a typical Nasir Hussain movie with long lost lovers, misunderstandings, and of course fabulous music.
Dev Anand chases after a girl traveling in a train while singing in a car, more than a decade before Rajesh Khanna did it in Aaradhana.
Shanker Jaikishen’s sophisticated orchestraic beats give this song a lilt that stays with you long after the movie. Hasrat Jaipuri is in many ways the poet for joyful love, and he did not disappoint in this song. (“Tum Ek Haseena ho lakhon mein, bhala paa ke tumhe koi khota hai?).
Joy here comes from the fact that the hero realizes that he has won over the heroine’s heart.
4. Aao Twist Karein — Bhoot Bungla (1965)
Mahmood & Tanuja in Bhoot Bangla. Listen: https://youtu.be/lokpohoCyF8?list=RDlokpohoCyF8
When a comedian becomes the hero, it is fertile ground for a joyful song. A sparkling burst of youthful mischief — joy that spins, twirls, and refuses to sit still. Rock and roll comes to Bollywood in this energetic song sung by Manna Dey.
For those who think that Manna Dey is only good for devotional, classical or songs sung by street performers and beggars, this song is a reminder of his versatility and talent.
There is also a generational transition here, with the younger Burman giving the music as well as providing comic relief (since the usual comedian is too busy playing the hero’s role). Hasrat Jaipuri once again provides the lyrics.
Joy is an intentional invocation here – “तुम लोग हसना चाहते हो, आओ ट्विस्ट करें!”
5. Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche — Brahmachari (1968)
Shammi Kapoor & Mumtaz in Brahmachari. Listen: https://youtu.be/cevX_6bT__k
Technicolor exuberance — a song that glows with the thrill of being alive. Shammi Kapoor’s energy needed Shankar Jaikishen’s high tempo tunes, and Mumtaz’s dance matched Shammi’s gyrations move to move. I am not sure there is another heroine who danced as energetically with Shammi as Mumtaz in this song. Too bad they were never actually paired as hero and heroine.
Lyrics once again by Hasrat Jaipuri. Simple but memorable lines (“हमने तो प्यार में ऐसा काम कर लिया
प्यार की राह में अपना नाम कर लिया”).
Joy here is the Quintessential expression of love.
6. O Haseena Zulfonwali — Teesri Manzil (1966)
Shammi Kapoor & Helen in Teesri Manzil. Listen: https://youtu.be/VR-ak1-RURU?list=RDVR-ak1-RURU
The prince of joy deserves two entries in this list, so here’s the second Shammi Kapoor song. A rhythmic, flirtatious celebration — joy in motion, joy in color, joy in rhythm. As an added bonus, the future husband of Helen appears on the stage (guess who?).
Rafi’s playful “आप की सादगी तो बाला हो गयी” meets its match in Asha Bhonsle’s flirtatious “मैं भी हूँ गलियों की परछाई, कभी यहाँ, कभी वहां”. Music of course is Shanker Jaikishen, and lyrics by the inimitable Majrooh Sultanpuri (“मेरी बदनामियों का वफ़ा नाम है”).
It is a full body of embrace of joy. Every movement of both Shammi and Helen exudes a sense of immersion in the moment.
MODERN ERA — Joy That Matches the Golden Glow and unites the spirit and the body
Playful, loud, celebratory, unrestrained – joy that has come of age, and is expressed with body and soul. A joy that finds its way into the disco floors and Sangeet ceremonies.
7. Kajra Re — Bunty Aur Babli
Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bacchan & Abhishek Bacchan in Bunty aur Babli. Listen: https://youtu.be/4dsFQFCvVGU?list=RD4dsFQFCvVGU
Aishwarya’s dance and performance is exquisite. Every expression is explicitly seductive, every soft word is an assertion of confidence in her own beauty, and the rhythm is contagious. Amitabh’s usually awkward dance works in this case, as his role is that of a normally dour inspector who is running after the hero.
Shanker Ehsaan Loy composed a catchy tune, and Gulzar finally makes an appearance in this list as a lyricist. Its a shame if you ask me, because not withstanding his reputation as a soulful poet, his true genius lies in his comic sense and the ability to coin a catchy phrase.
A playful, infectious anthem — joy with swagger, sparkle, and a wink.
8. Kar Gayi Chull — Kapoor & Sons
Alia Bhat & siddharth Malhotra in Kapoor & Sons. Listen: https://youtu.be/NTHz9ephYTw?list=RDNTHz9ephYTw
Introverted boy falls for the exuberant beeouteefuulll girl. “तू लड़की नहीं है गरम मामला”! Pyar toh hona hi tha? A loud, carefree declaration of having the time of your life.
A Baadshah/Amaal Mallik creation that has been a must-have in every Sangeet ceremony for more than a decade.
Joy comes to the discotheque in this song.
9. Gallan Goodiyan — Dil Dhadakne Do
Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra et al, in Dil Dhadkne Do. Listen: https://youtu.be/jCEdTq3j-0U
Another staple at Sangeet ceremonies. Ranveer plays a very different role in this movie, as the heir apparent to Anil Kapoor’s business empire struggling to carve a path for himself and step out of his father’s shadow. Priyanka, Farhan and Rahul Bose gave a spirited performance.
The movie itself was mediocre, but this song more than makes up for it. Music by Shankar Ehsan Loy, and lyrics by the eminently talented Javed Akhtar (“मन कहे की मैं ले आऊं चाँद और तारे सारे! इन हाथों मैं मैं चाँद रखूँ, इस मांग में भरदुन तारे!”
A family erupting into dance — communal joy at its most exuberant.
10. Badtameez Dil — Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Ranbir Kapoor & Deepika Padukone in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewami. Listen: https://youtu.be/II2EO3Nw4m0?list=RD4dsFQFCvVGU
Shammi Kapoor’s appeal to the youth of his time was partly due to the way his on-screen persona exuded confidence and a nonchalant, almost arrogant manner in which he approached love. That talent skipped a generation, and has been inherited by his nephew’s son Ranbir Kapoor.
Here is the self-assured. self-absorbed playboy who is meeting the girl who’s been waiting for him for years. The introverted geek falls for the boisterous badtameez. Oldest trope in the world. Sparks fly as they twirl around the dance floor.
Pritam’s music is a pleasure. Definitely one of the better talents of this generation. Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics set the tone for this song – Unrestrained, mischievous, high‑spirited happiness — joy that refuses to behave.
11. Aunty Ji — Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
Kareena Kapoor & Imran Khan in Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu. Listen: https://youtu.be/YYn8d1HYJoI?list=RDYYn8d1HYJoI
Introvert falls head over heels for the extrovert once again. Would’ve been a forgettable movie but for the fact that their meeting happens in the office of a psychiatrist that they’re both seeing. This is followed by a whirlwind romance ending up in them getting married in a drunken stupor in a Vegas chapel, followed by an attempt to annul the wedding, a concept “inspired” by an episode from the sitcom Friends.
What makes this movie and this song a candidate for this list is the seductive music and lyrics by the Amit Trivedi/Amitab Bhattacharya team.
Carefree, and bursting with fun — joy that struts into the room.
12. Badi Mushkil Baba Badi Mushkil — Lajja
Madhuri Dixit & Manisha Koirala in Lajja. Listen: https://youtu.be/fs9zl0dTkTA
For a movie so serious and full of melodrama, this song is an unexpected surprise – pleasant, of course! Madhuri Dixit presents the definition of joy in this song. In contrast, Manisha is the stereotypical suffering woman, running away from an abusive husband. Madhuri won the Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Composer Anu Malik gives this song a foot-tapping rhythm and a catchy tune, while Sameer keeps the lyrics simple yet memorable.
There are many Madhuri songs that could make it to this list, but this one’s my favorite.
A festive, drum‑driven celebration — joy that fills the air like fireworks.
13. What Jhumka? — Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani
Ranveer Singh & Alia Bhat in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Listen: https://youtu.be/P1fIdFRnfqw?list=RDP1fIdFRnfqw
Opposites attract, once again. Sophisticated career woman falls for the unabashed hick from a nouveau riche family. In a plot borrowed from the Telugu movie “Bommarillu”, the hero and heroine are forced to spend some time with each other’s family to prove to the world that they are compatible.
Another gem from the Pritam/Amitabh Bhattacharya combination.
“राई बारेल्ली में तू बीच बज़ारी जब
हुस्न दिखाने जाएगी
होश उड़ाने वाली शोख़ नज़र के जो
पेंच लड़ाने जाएगी
अर्रे पहें के इतना ज़ेवर गहना
तेज़ हवा से बच के रहना
गिर जाए तो फिर ना कहना
झुमका गिरा रे”
What a setup to bring up the timeless classic from Mera Saya. Props to Amitabh’s skills as a lyricist.
Both Ranveer and Alia have surprised me with their versatility. The movie itself left a lot to be desired, but they sizzle in this song. Playful, stylish, delightfully upbeat — joy with a modern, melodic swagger.
14. Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai — Khoobsurat
Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan & Badshah in Khoobsurat. Listen: https://youtu.be/8LZgzAZ2lpQ?list=RDNTHz9ephYTw
Another Badshah creation makes it to the list. Once again, an introverted boy falls head over heels for the unabashed free spirit. A new millenium reinterpretation of the 1999 film of the same name where a bubbly chirpy “khoobsurat” girl wins the stern matriarch’s approval by helping her sick husband, it had great performances by Aamir Raza Hussein, Ratna Pathak Shah (who matched her mother’s histrionic skills from the original) and Kiron Kher.
The song itself is a bright, youthful proclamation that the celebration has only just begun.
Closing Note
This playlist is a procession — a parade of voices that refuse to dim themselves, a celebration of breath, rhythm, color, and delight.
In Whitman’s spirit, in Bollywood’s language, in your own bright, beating pulse — this is your Song of Joys.
Let it lift you. Let it move you. Let it sing through you.
What are your favorite “Songs Of Joy”? Please tell us in the comments section below.
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