8 Songs You Need To Listen To When In Mumbai

Maximum City, as Mumbai is called, is more of a phenomenon than an experience. From Hindi rap to evergreen songs around the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in the city, these eight songs make up the perfect Mumbai playlist.

Bappi Lahiri – “Mumbai Nagariya”

This is the ultimate Mumbai swagger song. The words “Sone ki raahon mein sone ko jagah nahi” mean “no space to sleep on these streets of gold” — a hat tip to the brutal, cutthroat nature of the city. This upbeat song will get you going whenever you need a kick on Mumbai’s busy streets.

Javed Jaffrey – “I Am Mumbai”

An unusual Hindi rap song dedicated to the city, this song is a great encapsulation of Mumbai 101s.

Mohd.Rafi & Geeta Dutt – “Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yaha”

Imagine walking down old south Bombay lanes, through old buildings and tiled pavements. This song is sheer time travel.

Amit Trivedi, Kavita Seth, & Amitabh Bhattacharya – “Iktara”

Twilight, the calming effect of the sea washing up against the shore, and the North Star faintly visible through all of Mumbai’s blitz — this soulful song is made for evenings spent watching sunsets at Marine Drive.

Ajay Gogawale – “Deva Shree Ganesha”

The enthusiasm with which Ganesh Chaturthi (festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha) is celebrated in the city cannot be described in words — it has to be witnessed. No Mumbai playlist is complete without a Ganpati song. “Deva Shree Ganesha” is a powerful song that puts you right on the streets on a Ganapati Visarjan evening.

A. R. Rahman – “Bombay Theme”

Composed for the film titled Bombay, the “Bombay Theme,” with its beautiful crescendo, somehow captures the essence of a city that is forever resilient, braving up to all the challenges in its path.

Pritam & Soham – “In Dino”

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai, this song is an ode to the millions of love stories that blossom in the city amid everyone’s maddening craze around fame and success.

Mohd.Rafi – “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala”

Mumbai can be an extremely challenging city, but this city of dreams has an enduring spirit and a never-say-die ethos. This underlying energy of the city and its forward-looking attitude is best captured through this song, encouraging the listener to forget his worries and live life to the fullest.