Top 5 Songs of the 90s that You Hate to Love

Yes, we were the Cassette generation who thought gelled, middle-parted hair was super cool, blonde was yo, and believed in shiny objects. And ours was also the Pop generation, where singers found their place in the sun and everybody knew the lyrics. Shirts were torn, throats went dry with screaming, the queues for concerts were never ending and clothes were bright, happy and loud.
And this pop generation gave rise to a bevy of stars, some who sang and faded away and others who still shine in the overcrowded sky. There were those we swore by, those we hated, and then that one special bunch of songs that we hated to love, the ones you couldn’t stand yet not stop humming. Presenting the top five of the lot, according to moi of course. Because under my roof, it is my rules! Ha!
Because I hated award ceremonies where they declared the winners first, I shall go in reverse order. *drumroll*
Without further ado, here they are:

Special Mention

ISHQ TERA TADPAVE BY SUKHBIR

Oh c’mon! You still sing it every time you see any man with a ponytail and dark glasses don’t you! The classic dance off! And the beats! This was addictive and how. This was the original swag. There was also a random green refrigerator with blocks of ice in that empty, rundown warehouse-y place. Serial killer vibes, anyone?

Almost Made It

DHUAAN DHUAAN BY VIKAS BHALLA

A perennially dancing Aditi Govitrikar, a wannabe Sherlock Vikas Bhalla, a yellow jeep, and a lot of white. Not to forget, a vulgarly ugly house and couple clothing in red, yellow, fluorescent green, white and black. The cheapo Bhalla even makes poor Aditi repeat that ugly fluorescent green outfit while he happily gets himself a change of clothes. This formed almost the entire video. What? Did you just ask what the plot of the video was? Oh go die! Oh yes, before I forget, this song gave you Vikas Bhalla in a baniyan (vest) to your heart’s content too! And they threw buckets of water at Govitrikar too! For some sexy time! At 3:54 you also get to see the best tie in the world. Enjoy!

SAWAN MEIN LAG GAYI AAG BY MIKA SINGH

Hills, roads and strange girls seemed to be a 90s trope! Here King Mika was born! This also had a creepy stalking element to the whole video. Bura na maano, Mika hai. And of course, there is the Bad Man himself!

Yes, Gulshan Grover is here! Kohl-eyed wo bhi! Playing none other than the bad man! That man even runs like a villain! And of course this is love at first sight. So the pretty girl runs away with the oily-haired stranger/stalker and gets married to him, saat phera and all. And they dance happily on trucks ever after. Of course that has nothing to do with the song, which is purely about wanting to do the do when the rains arrive. But well. Just shut up and watch.

CHOODI JO KHANNKI BY FALGUNI PATHAK

A very young Riya Sen, Richa Pallod and the dandiya pack. The must-dance-to song at every school do! This made night-outs look so much cooler than they were. Also, this was probably the only time ANYONE was excited about a Falguni Pathak concert. Or even bought tickets for it! Everybody knew the dance steps! And I mean, EVERYBODY! And people driving in in Esteems and Omnis itself is such a heartwarming sight. And what a badass man. Opens car doors with hair pins. Too cool! Too cool! Do not miss how demented Riya Sen looks at 3:42.

LOVEOLOGY BY SHAAN

Featuring a dorky, young Shaan as the most believable Casanova. Satin shirts, brilliant effects created on Paint, throbbing hearts and more amazing special effects. Also, shirtless Shaan. A song for all seasons and all reasons!

And the Top Five!

5. TUM TOH THEHRE PARDESI BY ALTAF RAJA

Fluttering backgrounds, bad graphics, Sanjay Suri and Chitrangada Singh. This was a full package indeed! If you take away the bad effects, the random shots of random objects, the song and Altaf Raja’s face, it is a fairly decent video! But if you dig Altaf’s dimples still, go right ahead!

Also, where do you think they stole the tune of Rowdy Rathore’s Chintata Chita Chita from? Go watch 5:37 onwards.

4. DEEWANE TOH DEEWANE HAIN BY SHWETA SHETTY

Featuring some very suspicious dance steps, this video has three shirtless much-abused models, half a dozen dancers of indeterminable gender, dresses made of gold, a lot of nasal singing. Also Sky of Big Boss fame. The models are pouting for a photoshoot for reasons unknown. There is so much happening here that it is a wonder if you manage to hear this brilliant song about ‘Deewane deewane toh deewane hain’. It is what it is. What is is. What is this! And breaking all gender stereotypes, the three boys abandon the bitchy woman in gold in the end and go for a more eventful threesome. Yay!

3. DAS GAYO PAAPI BICHHUDA BY ILA ARUN

Now this video was way ahead of its time. Raw sexuality, sexy dresses, suggestive lyrics, it had everything going! Except one. This was Ila Arun. Now who wants to see this woman in a strapless choli? Ummmm…

Oh, there was also a constantly writhing Malaika Arora (having a VERY bad hair day) who had VERY naughty dreams. And Ila Arun keeps moaning. All Malaika went to get done was a scorpion tattoo. She had no idea what was Coming her way!

2. DIL DHADKE BY BABA SEHGAL

Stalker/Creep Anthem of the Century. The rap goes ‘main toh jaunga, pakadunga, chedunga, bolegi wo nananananana’. And you get the general idea. Aap Baba se bhaage. Baba aap ke peeche. Too much fun! Ummmmm…

Featuring a mosty shirtless Baba Sehgal and young Pooja Bedi. And ample water for more sexy time. Also, rare snatches of Baba with hair!

1. PEECHAADI PE KUTTA KAATA BY DEVANG PATEL

Before there was Himesh Reshammiya, there was Devang Patel. Gujjuon ka Gujju, Rapperon ka Rapper. The undisputed Patel Patel. If you have not owned a Patelscope cassette ever in your life, your life has been meaningless. I don’t even know why you are still reading. Go ask some cooler friends who have actually heard this man. Acquire some taste. Really!

Now this man has dished out so many gems that it is hard to pick one. But if you ask me, Peechaadi Pe Kutta Kaata is the one song that has stayed with me. It is about a man who, well, got bit by a dog on his ass. Yes, that simple. The good life. The lyrics are fantabulous. And the video even more so. Ye nahi dekha toh kya dekha!

So there they are! The shining beacons of our childhoods. Do add your own favourites to this list by leaving a comment below! Share the joy!