So, my iPod died recently. It’s okay, it was two years old, and it led a hard life, so I think it was time. It’s traveled with me a good many places, always in my bag (probably getting a bit banged around). I think it’s time to let it go, especially since I’ve heard such bad things about Apple’s customer support when it comes to dead iPods and I want a new one anyway.

The result of my iPod dying has been that I have been listening to music more frequently off of iTunes. Listening to music incessantly, in fact, in order to get my quota in for the day. This has allowed me to realize two things. First, just how many times I have played certain songs, and second, I need some new Bollywood music.

Having gotten tired of obsessively listening to the same new song a million times in a row, like I do, I go back to my favorites for some variety. I would like to present to you Miss Bolly’s Top Ten favorite Bollywood songs of all time (a.k.a. The- ones- that- never- get- old- and- that- I- can- listen- to- non-stop- when- there- is- no- new- music- to- be- had). These are my favorite songs, the ones that make me want to get up and dance. A few notes: Bollywood music tends to appear on my iTunes only after I’ve seen the film. Not always, but usually. I tend to like a song better if I can see the dancing in my head. So needless to say my choices on this top ten list are somewhat limited and they are certainly biased toward newer films and films starring Shahrukh Khan. Also, my personal preference is toward more upbeat songs and big production numbers. Just saying. So, thus we have:

Miss Bolly’s Top Ten Favorite Bollywood Songs:

10. “Mehndi Laga” from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. A classic scene from a classic movie. Who could forget Kajol in gorgeous green silk. Beautiful. And Shahrukh being all flirtatious. So fantastic.

9. “Lodi” from Veer-Zaara. The first Bollywood film I fell in love with. There are so many great songs to choose from in this film (close seconds, “Main Yahaan Hoon,” “Aisa Des Hai Mera” and “Aaya Tere Dar Par”). I just love remembering the interactions between Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shahrukh and Priety Zinta.

8. “Dola Re Dola” from Devdas. Again, so many fantastic songs to choose from, but the dancing and the visualization of this one left me breathless.

7. “Chup Chup Ke” from Bunty aur Babli. I love how languid this song sounds and how it builds up. And! It comes with dance moves!

6. “Chand Sifarish” from Fanaa. I’m not even sure I can pinpoint exactly what I like about this song. I like the rolling percussion that comes in occasionally, and the part at the beginning when the electric guitar starts in. Something about it that just makes me so happy.

5. “Dholi Taro” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Drums! I love drums!

4. “Banno Ki Saheli” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Okay, we’re obviously getting into the songs that make me ridiculously happy for no particular reason. I’m listening to each of these songs as I’m writing and goodness, I can’t even concentrate I want to get up to dance so much.

3. “Bhumbro” from Mission Kashmir. This is the only song on the list that comes from a movie that I have not seen. But I have seen the song on youtube! Hrithik dancing is something incredible and again with the percussion!

2. “Kajra Re” from Bunty aur Babli. I’m speechless to describe how much I love this song. Like…I mean…you know…yeah, I got nothing. If you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t heard it, go listen to it.

1. “Maahi Ve” from Kal Ho Naa Ho. No matter how crappy I’m feeling, this song by the end of it always, without fail has me grinning like an idiot and dancing around the room. And because Kajol and Rani’s cameos are the best things ever.

~ Miss Bolly

P.S. Just to prove that stories do sometimes have happy endings, I have a new iPod. Meet Willesden Jr. He has been exceptionally busy since the minute he came out of the box this afternoon playing my newest obession, “Khaike Paan Banaras Wala” from Don. Because Shahrukh acting drunk is always a good time.