Why 90s Bollywood Songs Are Still Loved More Than Modern Hits – ETimes Explores |

Bollywood music has all the time been extra than simply leisure — it’s a mirrored image of tradition, emotion, and id. While as we speak’s songs usually pattern on social media for his or her catchy beats and viral hooks, it’s the 90s melodies that also resonate deeply throughout generations. Be it weddings, lengthy drives, or quiet evenings, 90s songs proceed to make their means into playlists. So, what makes them unforgettable whereas as we speak’s tracks usually fade away with time? We discover the musical journey from the golden 90s to as we speak’s remix-heavy period.
The Golden Era of Bollywood Music – What Made the 90s Special?
The Nineties marked a musical renaissance in Bollywood. Melody was king, and songs had been constructed on sturdy vocals, considerate lyrics, and soulful tunes. Singers like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Udit Narayan, Sunidhi Chauhan, and others dominated the charts with their iconic voices. Music composers like Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit, and Anu Malik crafted songs that stayed with listeners lengthy after the credit rolled.
Examples like Tujhe Dekha To from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Pehla Nasha from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, and Saanson Ki Zarurat Hai Jaise from Aashiqui are extra than simply songs — they’re feelings. Their simplicity, romance, and honesty made them timeless.

Lyrics That Touched the Soul vs Today’s Trendy Hooks
One of the defining components of 90s music was its lyrical richness. Lyricists like Sameer, Javed Akhtar, and Gulzar penned traces that conveyed deep feelings and poetic magnificence. Songs like Ae Kash Ke Hum from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa or Tadap Tadap Ke from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam instructed tales that stirred the soul.
In distinction, many trendy Bollywood songs depend on repetitive hooks and phrases geared toward prompt virality. Tracks like Naach Meri Rani, Coca Cola Tu, and Kala Chashma are undeniably catchy however usually lack emotional depth. The lyrical journey has shifted from soul to scroll — designed to seize consideration, not hearts.

The Rise of Remixes – Revival or Ruin?
Remixes of 90s hits have flooded as we speak’s music scene. While some, like Dilbar and Tip Tip Barsa Paani (2021 model), have launched outdated tunes to new audiences, others have drawn criticism for diluting the essence of the originals.
For many, these remixes lack the emotional core that made the originals particular. The focus is commonly on quicker beats, shiny visuals, and choreography, sidelining lyrical integrity and vocal sincerity. While they could deliver again the melody, they not often carry the identical magic.
Talking about how the essence of music has modified in Bollywood over time, Kumar Sanu stated, “It has definitely changed but I think we need to merge old melodies with new music. We can see they’re making remakes but it’s just old songs remixed as they are, which is great. Today’s generation gets to hear old songs through that again. We should bring back that old melody but with new modern music.”
However, singer Shalmali Kholgade feels it hasn’t modified a lot. “Honestly, there are just as many stunning melody-driven songs today. How popular they get is the question. Production styles have evolved; the instrumentation you hear today is different from what used to be. I think it’s very cool that some melodic songs also have interesting rhythms,” she stated.

Why Millennials and Gen X Still Prefer the 90s
For those that grew up within the 90s, these songs are deeply private. They evoke reminiscences of cassette tapes, Doordarshan countdown reveals, and film nights with household. But even youthful listeners are discovering the fantastic thing about the period — because of YouTube, Instagram reels, and retro-themed playlists.
From Chura Ke Dil Mera to Tum Mile Dil Khile, nostalgia reigns supreme. Radio stations run retro segments, influencers use 90s tracks in reels, and Bollywood events usually flip into sing-along nostalgia fests. The emotional pull of those songs is as sturdy as ever.
Modern Music – Innovation or Losing Soul?
Today’s music trade is dynamic, with artists like Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, and Jubin Nautiyal carrying the torch of melody. Songs like Tera Yaar Hoon Main and Raataan Lambiyan nonetheless ring a bell with audiences.

However, the overarching pattern leans towards EDM-heavy tracks, auto-tuned vocals, and formulaic lyrics. The trade’s push for streaming numbers, social media virality, and danceability usually overshadows emotional resonance. The stability between innovation and soul appears tilted.
With the dominance of platforms like YouTube and Spotify, there’s extra stress to ship songs which can be “visual” or “viral” relatively than soulful. “It has become a rat race. You just keep dropping music and make videos in a specific way, otherwise it won’t get hit. Nobody wants to work on melody and soulful music, everybody wants to become viral,” Kumar Sanu added.

However, Shalmali shared, “I wish I felt that pressure. If I did, it would probably be good for me! (Laughs) But I don’t. I believe in making music that resonates with me. Not all that music works for popular consumption. Those it connects with, it is a lifelong friend. I take comfort in that.”
Prateeksha Srivastava added, “In my opinion, things have gone a little formula-based now and while all of it matters, the art of storytelling is ultimately what keeps the songs’ longevity. The amount of patience to create a song and to go into the depths of how the emotions are rolling out one note and one lyric at a time is not the same many times.”
Has algorithm-driven expectations ever restricted her artistic freedom? “Sometimes yes, but I choose not to ever finalise my melodies based on that. I am very happy about it because I think that’s the right way to do it. Any type of music can go viral these days, so why depend on the algorithm briefly?” Prateeksha added.

Can the Two Eras Coexist?
The 90s gave us music that felt like poetry in movement. Today’s songs, whereas technically superior and visually extravagant, usually miss that timeless connection. But each eras have their place. While nostalgia retains the outdated melodies alive, evolving tastes guarantee recent sounds proceed to emerge.
If given the facility to reset, Prateeksha says she would deliver ahead extra feminine voices in songs. “I would make more female voices sing the stories of female characters because now we have so many protagonists as females, but even now the songs being sung about their stories and their emotions are in the voices of male singers mostly. Females come in for a two-line verse or a reprise version or a promotional song in the film, mostly. The audience is losing the habit of listening to mainstream music in female voices and in India, this change has to come from Bollywood,” she shared.

However, it appears like not everybody feels the necessity to reset. “I wouldn’t bring anything back. I believe in the natural progression of creativity. While some might hear a Skrillex song and cringe because they don’t understand the musicality of it, there are others who are able to appreciate the masterful artistry in creating the sounds that make up his music. I don’t want to be that person who says ‘humare zamane mein aisa hota tha’. I’d rather rack my brain to understand the music I don’t fancy,” Shalmali concluded.
All in all, the important thing lies in stability — preserving the emotional depth of the previous whereas embracing the artistic vitality of the current. After all, good music doesn’t belong to at least one decade — it echoes throughout time.