First off - what exactly does Item song mean? People think it means a song that is otherwise not integrated into the story, it is just an isolated item. BUT that is NOT the case. Item is a bastardization of the term Atom - the girl dancing was supposed to be an Atom Bomb - hence ITEM song. The songs evolved from cabaret numbers where the dancing lady was usually a vamp or side character, and turned into full fledged interludes usually not relevant to the film. I LOVE ITEM SONGS! So it is hard to pick my top 10 favorites but I will try. Here goes:
1. Madhuri - Choli ke Peeche kya hai! There is a reason why Rahman chose this one to pay tribute to in Ringa Ringa from Slumdog Millionaire. The decadent lyrics and voice matched by an outstanding performance from the Dhak Dhak girl.
2. How can one forget Helen? One of my favorite Helen numbers is Baithe Hain Kya uske paas! Helen in a red rooster dress on the bar, Anju Mahendru on the floor - outstanding!
3. Bachchan parivar ka tarana - Kajrare - yes, it is fantastic! The trio have a wonderful chemistry, and Aish looks stunning!
4. Beedi - the composition is fantastic and Bipasha stuns with her sultry dance moves, ably assisted by the guys cutting loose!
5. Next up is Helen again - O Haseena Zulfon Waali - ICONIC song and dance, not to be missed, the fact that it has Shammi Kapoor is an added bonus!
6. Heck I might as well get my Helen numbers out of the way - MONICAAAAAA O my darling! Remixed by the Kronos Quartet, loved by one and all, RD Buramn and Asha magic, and Helen on screen!
7. Crazy Bhojpuri and Hinglish - Dil Dance Maare from Tashan (Akshjay, Saif and Kareena in blond wigs). An Item song out of nowhere, and set nowhere, my absolute favorite!
8. Ishq Kameena - Aishwarya as the dream girl, SRK as the drifter, magical number!
9. Dhoom Machaale - people dislike Esha Deol, for me she reflects some of her mother's charm, and ROCKS here with Uday Chopra!
10. Mera Naam Hai Shabnam - pyar se log mujhe shabbo kehte hain!! Bindu gyrates to this number from Kati Patang.
POST YOUR FAVORITES! Try to save the mujra type numbers for a post coming up soon!
Good Post here, Pardesi. Two item songs which come to my mind are:
ReplyDeleteMehboob Mere
Aisa Jadoo
More later .. :P
Nice picks Illusionist! The Mehboob Mere song is amazing. Sushmita's grace shows even as an ITEM girl. Compared to today's leading ladies she is not doing bad aerobics, but dancing with passion and style. Aisa Jadoo dance is energetic, and I like Lara Dutta, but she is much less graceful there. Love the song though.
ReplyDeleteAND Mehbooba Mehbooba is iconic for so many reasons, RD Burman's voice, the dancing by Jalal Agha and Helen and the great Gabbar Singh. Nice pick!
More of my picks :
ReplyDeleteChamma Chamma from China Gate.
Khallas from Company.
Ashaji is at her best here. Just awesome :)
i gave link to Tata Youngs DOOM yeh Esha deol ka kha se ho gaya .
ReplyDeletealso no item numbers of katrina in list ? yeh to nainsafi hai .
No one can beat Esha Deol in Dhoom Machale! But feel free to post your won links!
ReplyDeleteMinnie - I love all your links, and I already beat the definition by posting Dil Dance Maare!! :D
Another one on the request of a friend:
ReplyDeleteOye oye
Another great one Minnie!
ReplyDeleteTo this grand repertoire I should add the inimitable Cukoo from the 1952 AAN.