It’s that time of the year again. The Sun plays peek-a-boo, the clouds seem to win most rounds, crickets get chirping, and the whiff of geeli mitti does groundwork to put us in a trance. As the downpour soars, steaming pots of masala chai and platter-fulls of crackling onion bhaji make their way to our bellies. Now that the stage is set with the rain serenading in full form, what are you waiting for? Hop aboard the monsoon train and belt out your rainy mood with abandon. Skip in your step, tempers in check, instagram stories on fleek, or dance on your feet – whatever be your monsoon state of mind, we’ve got the perfect beat to match yours. #DSSCRecommends this monsoon playlist that sings rain like none other.
Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si, (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958)
This song is a classic keepsake, across generations and across moods. With the rains pelting down your verandah or garden, get a steaming cuppa and hum along with music maestro Kishore Kumar with the ethereal Madhubala. The song’s filmography is as heartwarming as the lyrics of the feel-good song.
Part of a hit S.D.Burman album, this song is said to be inspired from Tennessee Ford’s ‘Sixteen Tons’.
Maaeri (Phir Dhoom, 2000)
One of the pave makers who are credited for the Indian Pop Music wave of the 90s, Euphoria, is nostalgia stirred with exhilarating music. With a song for every mood, Euphoria’s Maaeri became the ultimate monsoon song with its reference to a love lost in the rains of time.
Ab Ke Sawan Aise Barse (Ab Ke Sawan, 1999)
For people who only look for the blues in the monsoon, this one is a powerful song sung by Shubha Mudgal enwrapped in the lyrical genius of Prasoon Joshi. This is a song that has beautifully merged the Indian classical and western genre of music, producing a composition that would make you want to groove from the very start. You might want to change your alarm alert to this one, we guarantee a morning thrill.
Purple Rain (Purple Rain, 1984)
We miss Prince. Part of his magnum opus ‘Purple Rain’ album, this song’s power to pull forth all the unsettled, suppressed emotions within adds to the greatness of its music. Its melody is a blend of rock, gospel, and RnB, echoing the altruism of the lyrics. Hear why this single has a permanent spot at the top of the charts here.
Riders on the Storm (L.A. Women, 1971)
If there is a song that embodies rain in sound, it has to be this. The Doors composition with recordings of rain and thunder used during its making. A much certain chill that goes down the spine, you would still want to lay back, put earphones and raise the volume. That is the beauty of this song.
Got your own monsoon favourite? Share it with us at editorial@dssc.co.