Long before Nescafe Basement existed, Coke Studio was the only music franchise present in Pakistan. Whether you heard music on 8xm or on the radio, at some point you did hear a Coke Studio song. Even though it has lost its charm in recent years, the past seasons of Coke Studio had some amazing music. Some of that music gained international recognition; however, some of the songs, in spite of being outstanding, didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Given below are the 5 most underrated songs by Coke Studio, over the years.
Song #1: O re by Noori
Coke studio reinvents past famous songs by giving them a modern touch; However, they decided to experiment with O Re. This pop song by Noori is like a breath of fresh air. Furthermore, you can’t help but feel like dancing when you listen to this song. Musicians harmoniously play their respective instruments creating a certain distinction in each part of the song. Additionally, the accordion played in the intro gives it a nice retro vibe; towards the end, the electric guitar riffs performed by the Noori brothers leave the audience wanting more. Moreover, I believe this song should have gotten the recognition it deserved.
Song #2: Nindiya Re by Kaavish
The band Kaavish has been one of my favorite bands; their song Nindiya Re is one of the best songs they have ever sung. A sweet-sounding ‘loree’ or most commonly called lullaby; the song Nindiya Re doesn’t fail to make you feel relaxed after a long tiring day. The song has a nostalgic vibe that reminds you of your childhood. The simple guitar riff and Jaffer Zaidi’s soft vocals, give the song a calm and serene vibe.
Fun fact: If you’re looking for a song to play on the guitar then the guitar pattern in this song is fairly easy to learn.
Song #3: Nadiya by Jimmy Khan and Rahma Ali
Ever wondered what music was like in the 1950s to 1960s? Nadiya is the perfect song to give you the taste of the groovy 60s. Nadiya by Jimmy Khan was a tribute to the original song from a movie released in 1956. Furthermore, the song was included in Coke Studio’s 7th season. Nadiya was recomposed as a medley with another vintage song, “Gari ko Chalana”. The ukulele in the intro gives the song a nice indie vibe while the lyrics make it sound quite ‘filmy’. This song is something that you should definitely include in your playlist. The upbeat rhythm of the song will remind you of the upbeat lives Karachiites had before Covid-19.
Song #4: Chaap Tilak by Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
This song is a rendition of one of the most famous qawwalis by Amir Khusro. Furthermore, the song is sung by the two maestros of classical music in the subcontinent: Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. However, it did not gain the recognition it truly deserved. The two singers of this song have two distinct singing styles; Abida Parveen having more soulfulness to her singing while Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sings in a fast and energetic manner. Even with their singing styles being distinct, the song turned out to be very beautifully sung. The lyrics of the song are quite intriguing and make you want to learn more about what they mean. The song itself has a true Eastern vibe to it and is just simply beautiful.
Song #5: Khaaki Banda by Umair Jaswal and Ahmed Jahangir
This song reminds you of the time when you lost yourself in the wonders of this world while forgetting about the one true Creator. This Sufi-Rock song has a much deeper meaning under those well-crafted lyrics. One of the lyrics that I personally love is “Na kar bandiya heri pheri Na teri na meri” which literally translates to how these worldly matters won’t last that long. The powerful vocals by Umair Jaswal and Ahmed Jahanzeb add further soul to the song. This song gives a much deeper insight into how people conduct themselves in this world and makes you rethink your way of life.
