The 1990s era was considered as the most melodious era in Bollywood. It can be divided into two parts, the early 90s and the music after 1995 till 2000.
Singers like Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet, Sonu Nigam and last but not the least Late, S P Balasubramanian had done such a remarkable work in singing that the songs sung by these singers have been still labelled as chartbusters, mostly viewed and loved songs.
The music of the 90s decade was the best. People used to work on tunes rather than autotuned. The musicians namely Rajesh Roshan, Anu Malik, Anand Milind, Ramlaxman, Nadeem Shravan and Jatin Lalit have major contributions in the melodious music of the 90s.
The great Laxmikant Pyarelel, R.D Burman and Ravindra Jain did their best work till the early 90s and musicians Bappi Lahiri, Uttam Singh, Nikhil Vinay, Dileep Sen Sameer Sen and Shiv Hari too contributed in this melodious journey.
Amongst all musicians mentioned above, Nadeem Shravan had introduced new sound and variations in the music of the 1990s. The major credit to the 90s melodious music goes to the team of Sameer, Nadeem Shravan, Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. Anu Malik too had created some evergreen Melodies and adopted the 90s trend brilliantly.
The Oscar award winner for India, A. R. Rehman has a lion’s contribution in the music of Bollywood during the 90s.
Rahman’s pure Hindi films contribution includes films like Rangeela, Kabhi na Kabhi, Thakshak and Taal. Roja, Bombay, Hum se hai muqabla, and Dil se were the tunes originally composed for south Indian movies, popularly called as Tollywood, for which later Hindi lyrics were written. The Hindi lyrics on the south Indian tunes were equally popular in those days. Songs like, Urvashi Urvashi, Roja janeman, Humma Humma and Chayya Chayya were the number one chartbuster in the 90s. These songs are still refreshing in today’s times and inspired many people.
With films like Zakhm, Criminal and Is raat ki subah nahi, musician M M kreem has made valuable contributions in the music of the 1990s. The Bahubali music composer had created a distinct name for his songs like Tum mile (criminal), chup tum raho (is raat ki subah nahi), and hum yaha ( zakhm). Later in 2002, a couple of songs from the Hindi film, Sur were equally popular, namely, Aa bhi ja and kabhi sham dhale.
Why is the 90s considered the Melodious era?
The music from the 1990s to 2000 was the most refined work done in the section of compositions. The work of musicians, singers and the producers were deeply focused on producing good melodies. Also, those were the era of romantic and family movies. Films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge were the trend setting movies with good music. The music of these films was commercially successful both in Indian and overseas markets. Therefore, all the filmmakers in the 90s followed the trend and worked on to produce musical films.
100 best Bollywood songs from the 90s
1. Ab Tere Bin – Aashiqui
2.Gori Hain Kalaiyan – Aaj Ka Arjun
3. Mujhe Neend Na Aaye – Dil
4. Kaisa Lagta Hai – Baaghi
5. Aapko Dekhke- Kishan Kanhaiya
6. Humko Aaj Kal Hai – Sailaab
7. Mohobbat Inayat – Bahar aane Tak
8. Tu Pyar hai Kisi Aur Ka – Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin
9. Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya – Love
10. Dheere Dheere Pyar Ko- Phool Aur Kaante
11. Sun Beliya – 100 Days
12. Ek Dusre Se- Hum
13. Kabhi Main Kahoon – Lamhe
14. Zamane Ke Dekhe Hai – Sadak
15. Dhadkan Zara Ruk Gayi – Prahaar
16. Bahut Pyar Karte Hai – Saajan
17. Bin Tere Sanam – Yaara Dildara
18. Aaine ke Sau Tukde – Maa
19. Yara Sili Sili – Lekin
20. Chandi ki Cycle – Bhabhi
21. Illu Ilu – Saudagar
22. Jao Tum Chahe Jaha – Narsimha
23. Der na Ho Jaye – Henna
24. Tu Jab Jab – Kurbaan
25. Kitne Dino Ke Baad – Aayi Milan Ki Raat
26. Tip Tip Baarish – Afsana Pyar Ka
27. Ya lublu – Shikari
28. Shabnam Sharab Ho Gayi – Ajooba
29. Kabhi Tu Chaliya Lagta Hain – Patthar Ke Phool
30. Tum Bansi Bajate Ho – Khilaaf
31. Choti Maza Na Degi – Sanam Bewafa
32. Jab Se Mile Naina – First Love Letter
33. Teri Baho Main Hain Jannat Meri – Jeena Teri Gali Main
34. Main Tujhe Chhod Ke – Trinetra
35. Aap Jo Mere Meet Na Hote – Geet
36. Sardi Khasi Na Malaria – Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman
37. Gun Gun Karta Aaya – Muskurahat
38. Pyar Ke Kagaz Pe – Jigar
39. Kya Cheez Hai – Balwaan
40. Tumhari Nazro Ne – Kal Ki Awaaz
41. Deedar Ho Gaya – Deedar
42. Rab Ne Banaya – HeerRanjha
43. Khat Maine Tere Naam – Bekhudi
44. Deewana Dil Dhoonde – Mashooq
45. Tota mere Tota – Aaj Ka Gundaraj
46. Is Pyar Se Meri Taraf – Chamatkar
47. TuTu Tu TuTu Tara – Bol Radha Bol
48. DIL Deewane Ka Dola – Tahalka
49. Teri Umeed Tera Intezar – Deewana
50. Kitna Pyar Tumhe – Ek Ladka Ek Ladki
51. Jiya Le Liya – Prem Deewane
52. Hoke Mann Aaj Magan – Khiladi
53. Pehle Nasha – Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
54. Ye Zindagi hai – Zindagi Ek Jua
55. Rab Ko Yaad Karu – Khuda Gawah
56. Tum Kya Mile – Saatwan Aasman
57. Nain Kabootar – Virodhi
58. Koyal Si Teri Boli – Beta
59. Bannon Re Aise Kyu – Mera Sajna Saath Nibhana
60. Jogi Tere Pyar Main – Suryawanshi
61. Vada To Toot Jata Hai – Dil La Kya Kasoor
62. Ye Dua Hai Meri Rab Se – Sapne Sajan Ke
63. O Rabba Koi To Bataye- Sangeet
64. Tu Mere Samne – Darr
65. Samajh kar Chand – Baazigar
66. Tune Bhi To Chori Chori – Dalal
67. Jaan Se Badhkar – Aadmi
68. Main Tera Aashiq Hoon – Gumrah
69. Tumhe Dekhe Meri Aakhein – Rang
70. Ek Haseen Nogah Ka – Maya Memsaab
71. Nayak Nahi – Khalnayak
72. Gawah Hain – Damini
73. O Laal Dupatte Wali – Aakhein
74. Agar Zindagi Ho – Balma
75. Tere Dar Par Sanam – Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi
76. Hai Huku Hai – Gopi Kishan
77. Chura Ke Dil Mera – Main Khiladi Tu Anari
78.Sambhala Hai Maine – Naraaz
78. Mayee Re Mayee- Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
79. Raha Main Unse – Vijaypath
80.Rim Zhim Rim Zhim – 1942 A Love Story
81. Tumse Koi Pyara – Khuddar
82. Kya Kahe Kya Na Kahe – Rangeela
83. Dil Kehta Hai – Akele Hum Akele Tum
84. Tujhe Dekha To – Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
85. Husn Hai Suhana – Coolie No 1
86. Chappa Chappa Charkha – Maachis
87. Deewana Main Tera Deewana – English Babu Desi Mem
88. Dekha Tujhe to – Koyla
89. Pyar Kar – Dil To Pagal Hain
90. Meri Mehbooba – Pardes
91. Ae Ajnabi – Dil Se
92. O Jana – Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hain
93. Hum Yaha – Zakhm
94. Tum Paas Aaye – Kuch Kuch Hota Hain
95. Kaisi Waisi Baat Nahi – Hero Hindustani
96. Chori Chori Jab – Kareeb
97. Jadu Sa Chane Laga – Dil Kya Kare
98. Taal Se Taal Mila – Taal
99. Aakhoon Ki Gustaakhiyan – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
100. Ae Jate Hue Lamho – Border