Over a drive with someone close, I realised that each one of us likes the same music/songs for our own unique reasons. Intrigued by this thought, I decided to share with you all a bunch of songs that I love dearly, along with the reason why!

So here it goes…

“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me”
-This Is Me by Keala Settle
The strength of the vocals, the scene that leads to the song in ‘The Greatest Showman’ and everything that the song stands for; its an absolute package deal for me! With the layers of complexes that each one of us deals with on a daily basis, a song that asks you to brace yourself is a perfect fit.

 “Vaqt kee Kaid mezindagee hai maghar
Chaand gadiyaan yahin hai jo azad hain
Chaand gadiyaan yahin hai jo azad hain
Inko ko kar meree jane jaan aa
Umar bar na taraste rho”
– Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo by FaridaKhanum
(Translates to: Life is restricted by time, it’s only these few moments that are free. So don’t loose out on them and then regret it for the rest of your life)
This song has always helped me when I know I’m in the dilemma of doing what is expected of me and what I really wish to do. It also reminds me to enjoy every little and big thing. For me its about travel, about reading and about all those things that I wish to do, that don’t necessarily add monetary or tangible value to me immediately.

“If it hadn’t been for Cotton-Eye Joe
I’d been married a long time ago
Where did you come from, where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye Joe?”
-Cotton Eyed Joe by Rednex
This song is like a pandora box of memories and a gateway into my childhood. Its my favourite song to get everyone dancing at an informal party. For me its about letting go and being childlike once again. You should try the dance!

“Dil ki patang chahon mein gothe khati hai
Dhel toh do dekho kahan pe jati hai
Uljhe nahi toh kaise suljhoge
Bikhre nahi to kaise nihkroge”
-Pankhon Ko by Salim Merchant
(Translates to: Your heart is like a kite that runs wild in the shadows, but youry need to let it loose and then see where it reaches. If you aren’t ever messed up, you can’t be sorted. And if you haven’t been shattered, how will you ever glow.)
This one has always been very close to my heart. The lyrics sure are inspiring and romantic of life. The simplistic lens with which life has been penned down is something that I admire. But it’s the voice that first caught my attention and then the rest. And ever since I had the chance to hear Salim Merchant sing it live, it’s a sure shot at goosebumps for me.

Guaranteed (Humming Version) by Eddie Vedder
The entire album by Vedder for Into TheWild is beautiful and fitting. But this specific one finds me peace. I’ve heard it on loop when I just wanted to block everything out. Give it a try and go figure for yourself.

“You hit me once
I hit you back
You gave a kick
I gave a slap
You smashed a plate over my head
Then I set fire to our bed”
– Kiss With A Fist by Florence + the Machine
As opposed to popular judgement, this one for me is about a love/hate relationship. Its about two things that can’t exist with and without one another. The energy that this song presents has made it my wake up song on many days; on days I don’t wish to wake up but I know I have to.

“Tu Soche Ki Ziandagi Ye Na BadalegiKabhi 
Mai Sochu Sab Badalta Tu Na Badlegi Kabh”
-Tu Bole… Mein Bolun by A R Rahman
(Translates to: You think this is life and it’ll never change. I think that its you who will never change)
The lyrics dwell on the ‘glass half full and half empty’ logic (even the lyrics have the same analogy) about people. Its beautiful how two opposing perspectives about the same thing can be equally right. The music has elements of jazz and all things amazing.

“And they scream
The worst things in life come free to us
‘Cause she’s just under the upper-hand
And goes mad for a couple of grams
And she don’t want to go outside tonight
‘Cause in a pipe she flies to the Motherland”
-The A Team by Ed Sheeran
Talking about addiction and its struggle,this song offers a new perspective as opposed to the stereotype of pity and hate. I caught on to the meaning way after I’d already fallen in love with the ease of the tone and his sweet voice.

“When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It’s where my demons hide
It’s where my demons hide”
-Demons by Imagine Dragons
The band today needs no introduction and nor does this song. I’m in love with the rawness and vulnerability that’s been captured in these lyrics that we often don’t find the words to express. Its about coming clean of all the layers and hoping to be accepted; of admitting about all your secrets and wishing to beloved despite them.

“We’re far from home, it’s for the better
What we dream, it’s all that matters
We’re on our way, united”
-SaveThe World Tonight by SHM
Oh the collaboration of these three God-like DJs and their music has been on my playlist in some form or the other. This one is just a reminder of the fact that they came together, gave a lot of us some great memories and times, and then they parted as already promised. Its the life of the super-group that has caught my attention as much as their work; they came together with a pre-decided end, and still aced it all!