Mohammed Rafi was one of the greatest playback singers of the Indian film industry. Known as the King of Melody, Rafi was a versatile singer who could sing a wide range of songs, be it romantic songs, qawwalis or patriotic songs. Likhe jo khat tujhe, Tareef karun kya uski, Yahoo!, and Parda hai parda are some of the best songs of Mohammed Rafi that old music lovers still cherish.
Quoting Rishi Kapoor in an interview with Rediff, Mohammed Rafi’s son Shahid Rafi once said that director Manmohan Desai always referred to the singer as the “voice of God”. “If there is a voice of God, it is Mohammed Rafi.”
We have compiled a list of the best Mohammed Rafi songs that still resonate in our hearts.
13 best songs of Mohammad Rafi
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The letter I wrote to you- Kanyadan
Filmed on late veteran actor Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe is one of the most popular romantic songs of Mohammed Rafi. The song was featured in the 1968 film Kanyadaan. Rafi’s soulful voice in this romantic song is still loved today.
The letters I wrote to you, in your memory, became scenes of thousands of colours… do you remember?
2. Parda Hai Parda- Amar Akbar Anthony
This song Parda Hai Parda from Amar Akbar Anthony featured late actor Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh in the lead roles. It also featured Amitabh Bachchan along with late veteran Nirupa Roy and Mukri.
This qawwali is remembered for various factors including Rishi Kapoor’s acting, Rafi’s voice and the excellent lyrics.
3. Yahoo!- Wild
The famous song ‘Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe’ was sung by Mohammad Rafi. This song was featured in the movie Junglee.
This is one of the best songs of Mohammed Rafi in the career of late actor Shammi Kapoor.
4. Don’t leave me now- both of us
The song ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’ picturised on late actor Dev Anand and Sadhana is one of the most melodious songs of Rafi’s career. This song was featured in the film ‘Hum Dono’.
5. Fourteenth moon – Fourteenth moon
Remember when late filmmaker-actor Guru Dutt was praising the beauty of his co-star Waheeda Rehman in the film ‘Chaudahvin Ka Chand Ho’? This title track was part of the film ‘Chaudahvin Ka Chand’.
The slow tempo of the song makes it even more melodious.
6. Spring flowers rain- Sun
Baharon Phool Barsao is still played in Desi weddings when the bride comes on stage. This popular track was from the movie Sooraj. This romantic song starred late actor Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.
7. Should I praise her (This moon-like bright face)- Kashmir ki bud
Ye chaand sa roshan chehra…! No one can describe the beauty of a Kashmiri woman the way Rafi has done it in this song. This was a song from Kashmir Ki Kali. In this famous song, Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore were seen romancing while taking a boat ride in Dal Lake.
8. O my beloved! – Dharamveer
The song O Meri Mehbooba filmed on Dharmendra and Zeenat Aman was featured in Dharamveer. In this melodious track, Dharmendra played the role of Dharam Singh and teased Zeenat’s character Rajkumari Pallavi. This track was recreated in the film Fukrey Returns.
9. His coming- the way of living
The song ‘Aane se uske’ filmed on Jeetendra and Tanuja was part of the film ‘Jeene ki Raah’. There were two versions of this song in the film. In one version, Jeetendra in Mohan’s character is seen singing on Tanuja’s character Radha’s birthday.
10. These days there are discussions about our love – Brahmachari
Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche is a dance number picturised on Shammi Kapoor, Mumtaz and Pran. This song is from the film Brahmachari. Not only Shammi and Mumtaz danced to this song, but Pran was also seen dancing to this song.
11. O Haseena Zulfonwali – Third Floor
The song ‘O Haseena Zulfonwali’ filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh was a song from Teesri Manzil. Helen was also seen dancing with Shammi in this song.
This iconic song is one of the greatest compositions of Rafi’s career.
12. The weather is very bad today- Loafer
Aaj Mausam Bada Badnaam Hai is still loved by the audience. This song was shown in the film Loafer. In this, Dharmendra and Mumtaz were seen romancing in a hilly area.
13. Heartache, liver pain, debt
Dard-e-dil… Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim have worked in this song from Karz. In this song, the meeting of the main characters Monty and Tina turns into love. Rafi’s voice on the guitar in this song of Karz sounded very new and fresh.
Rafi worked with famous composers like Naushad Ali, OP Nayyar, Shankar Jaikishan, SD Burman and Roshan. He lent his voice to films like Pyaasa, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Laila Majnu, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, Pratigya, Kashmir Ki Kali etc.
According to his interview to BBC in 1977, Rafi claimed to have sung over 25,000 songs in his career. The legendary playback singer collaborated with contemporary singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey.
Mohammed Rafi reportedly sang 190 songs for Shammi Kapoor, 129 compositions for Shammi Kapoor and 155 tracks for Johnny Walker.
He also sang songs for other legendary actors Dev Anand and Dharmendra.