For the past few weeks, as news of SPB’s health condition became a talking point, everybody had him in their prayers hoping that the singer would resurge and continue to give us more chartbusters. That is because people have lived listening to his songs echoing in their homes. If in a family there are members belonging to three generations, SPB would have sung something for all of them for he remains the only singer to have lent his voice to a generation of actors and with it has earned a fan base cutting across ages. The astonishing aspect of SPB is that every person who has listened to his songs will have their own memories associated with that song.
SPB has sung melodies that resonate with all sections of people. As a 1990s middle class kid growing up in urban Chennai, these are some of the songs that had gone through my ears embedding the times of that period in mind. While some of the songs are much older, it had become a part of my life nevertheless, thanks to my mother who switches on the All India Radio by default every day.
This list features some of the regular hits as well as a few under-appreciated melodies of those times. The evergreen and the famous ones like – Mannil Indha, Sangeetha Megam, Nalam Vaazha, the numbers from Mouna Ragam, Kadhal Rojave, etc has been kept out of the list to accommodate some of the other songs.
1. Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalali
Ask any boy of the 90s, and he would definitely mention about standing before the TV and trying to imitate Rajinikanth driving a horse chariot with that colourful whip. This song in Muthu that is laden with meaning of life addressed to a much mature populace used to be the song that kids of those times hummed without even realizing the depth of the lyrics.
2. Oh Butterfly
Though the movie ended up as a box office failure, this song registered Vikram’s face among the people. Even now, this song is a regular if one were to tune in to Sun Music anywhere between 2 PM to 4 PM.
3. Sundhari Kannal Oru Seithi
SPB in a live show with Ilayaraja had mentioned that during the recording of this song, the musicians after playing the intro bit put their instruments down, stood up and gave a standing ovation to the musical genius for his goosebumps giving composition. SPB’s voice only made it even more divine. Every song from Thalapathy – be it Adi Rakamma Kaiya Thattu or Kaatukuyilu, deserves equal credit and stands one of the top albums of Ilayaraja-SPB duo.
4. Unnai Paartha Pinbu Naan
One of the actors to whom SPB’s voice suited best was Ajith Kumar. For a while, I thought it to be Ajith’s original voice. This song remains a classic.
5. Sippi Irukudhu
This song in which the S. Janaki hums the tune while SPB fills it with lyrics will go down as one of the unique compositions rendered by MSV.
6. Ninaithaale Inikkum
Before ‘feel-good’ films became a thing, K. Balachander came out with this amazing movie that celebrates youth and life. It was the time when Ilayaraja was rising and dominating the music scene in Tamil cinema and bam came MSV with this album in which all the songs became chartbusters. While ‘Engeyum Epodhum’ sung by SPB remains popular and was even remixed to the next generation, this song which has just two words in it – Ninaithaale Inikkum captures all the emotions associated with the movie – joy, sorrow, love, separation, and everything in between.
7. Minnale Nee Vanthadhenadi
One of the best love failure songs ever. Period.
8. En Kadhale
As SPB goes high pitch with the lines “Ini meelvadhaa illai veelvadha…” along with the change in chord behind, it is certain to give goosebumps or a lump in the throat to anyone listening.
9. Oru Kadidham Ezhuthinen
While the Ilayaraja-SPB combination is much celebrated, his association with Deva has given us some mesmerizing numbers. This song from the movie Deva, composed by Deva is a gem and is impossible to even imagine someone else other than SPB singing it.
10. Bharathikku Kannama
One of the most underrated songs of SPB-Deva combo. Another song named Pooja Vaa from the same movie also stands out.
11. Ennavendru Solvathamma
Is there anyone else who feels that this is a nice song to listen to when in a jolly mood on a nice afternoon?
12. Mun Paniya
This song which features SPB’s distinct voice is hard to skip when it turns up on the playlist.
13. Pon Malai Pozhudhu
The way SPB gets into this song is something that is difficult to pull off even for trained singers.
Ilamai Enum Poongatru and this song are good companions on a rainy day or when on a journey.
14. O Thendrale
A song that that vividly brings characterises the melodies of that period.
Another song that remains a hidden gem is Nadodi Paatu Pada.
15. Nalam Nalamariya Aval
Hands down, this is one of the best of Deva-SPB duo.
It is possible that many other gems might have been missed in this list from the tens of thousands of songs he has sung. It is hard to choose all the best from his musical journey of more than five decades.
SPB’s departure has certainly left a void which can only be filled with his songs. He might have left this world but his voice will live for eternity and there is no better tribute to this legend than his own songs.
May the humble and noble soul attain Sadgati.