Best Songs of 2014

It's that time of year once again to put up those end of year lists and as much as I despise preparing them in general, I have decided to just list a clutch of songs that I found really interesting and irresistible across Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and English. So here we go!

Kannukkul Pothivaippen (Thirumanam Enum Nikkah) - This Ghibran-composed semi-classical stunner is simply splendid in all aspects, right from the arrangements to the vocals all coming together beautifully.

Nijamga Idi Nenenaa (Uyyala Jampala) - A mesmerising melody, and those violins - enough said!

Khushfehmiyan (One By Two) - What more do you need when you have Shankar Mahadevan on the vocals?

Harjaiyaan (Queen) - Nandini Srikar's alluring rendition and Amit Trivedi's haunting musical score combine in this gorgeous folksy melody.

Manasula Soora Kathey (Cuckoo) - One of the best Tamil soundtracks of 2014, and this spectacular melody is an icing on the cake!

Vinmeen Vithaiyil (Thegidi) - A refreshingly mellifluous tune from Nivas K. Prasanna's brilliant musical debut.

Jigar (Jigarthanda) - Santhosh Narayanan has had a dream run this year, and very much like the movie, the songs are fantastic! Jigar makes even the 'gibberish' sound so beautiful and epic.

Medhuvaagathaan (Kochadaiiyaan) - A very Carnatic melody in SPB and Sadhana Sargam's soothing vocals.

Azhagu (Saivam) - An exquisite classical number from G. V. Prakash sung effortlessly by Uthara Unnikrishnan.

Eeramai Eeramai (Un Samayal Arayil) - Very Ilaiyaraaja and very much likeable as always.

Kadhala Kadhala (Sathuranka Vettai) - Singer Kalyani Nair's outstanding vocals and Sean Roldan's mellow arrangements leads to something bewitching and entrancing.

Kadhal Kanave (Mundasupatti) - Sean Roldan does an A. R. Rahman in this simple earthy melody.

Ninna Danigaagi (Savaari 2) - Karthik, Hamsika Iyer and Manikanth Kadri join hands for an utterly delightful semi-classical melody.

We Could Be Kings (Million Dollar Arm) - A musical frenzy from A. R. Rahman and KT Tunstall.

Pen Megam Pola (Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam) - Sharreth rocks and he must compose more!

Ra Ra Krishnayya (Ra Ra Krishnayya) - The obvious Pareshaan (Ishaqzaade) touches notwithstanding, Shreya Ghoshal is in top form in this fabulous melody, and that violin interlude, beautiful!

Tu (Bobby Jasoos) - Papon and Shreya Ghoshal's splendorous duet song, and a beautiful one at that from Shantanu Moitra.

Vinkadantha (Ramanujan) - A genius of a soundtrack from Ramesh Vinayakam and Unnikrishnan totally owns this one!

Adiginde (Maine Pyar Kiya) - Singer Pradeep Kumar's impressive composing debut aside, the song's beautiful violin arrangements are a treat to listen to.

Vadhantune Nenu Vadhantune (Run Raja Run) - An immensely engaging track enlivened by Ghibran's orchestration and Chinmayi's competent singing.

Naan Nee (Madras) - Shakthisree Gopalan does a stellar job rendering this Santhosh Narayanan tune.

Gatiya Ilidu (Ulidavaru Kandante) - A mind-blowing soundtrack from Ajaneesh Loknath for its sheer musical variety and Vijay Prakash croons this Kannada track like only he can!

Mounam Paesum (Amara Kaaviyam) - An ethereal melody from Ghibran with Chinna Kuyil Chithra sounding as sweet as ever.

Kabhi Ruhani Kabhi Rumani (Raja Natwarlal) - Benny Dayal aces the quasi-qawwali from composer Yuvan Shankar Raja's full-fleged Bollywood debut.

Uyirin Maeloru Uyirvandhu (Vadacurry) - Another Yuvan melody, this steeped in Ilaiyaraaja flourishes and phenomenal singing by Sathyan and Priya Hemesh.

Oliyin (Thirunthuda Kadhal Thiruda) - One of the best Carnatic based melodies I have heard in recent years. Period.

My Mind is a Stranger Without You (The Hundred Foot Journey) - Blissful and goosebump-inducing are the words that comes to my mind!

Aye Mr. Minor! (Kaaviyathalaivan) - Catchy retro stuff from A. R. Rahman.

Preet (Khoobsurat) - Enchanting and wonderfully composed by Sneha Khanwalkar, Preet can undoubtedly give you a musical high!

Ovvundraai Thirudugiraai (Jeeva) - An Ilaiyaraaja-styled top-notch melody from Imman.

Mersalaayitten (I) - A. R. Rahman goes the EDM route and it's addictive as hell!

Yedo (Rowdy Fellow) - Sunny M. R. conjures an arresting guitary melody.

Yaar (Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe) - Nandini Srikar, Nandini Srikar and Nandini Srikar.

Jhelum (Haider) - Vishal Bhardwaj's masterpiece of a song, riveting and hypnotising.

Anthe Premanthe (Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya) - An enthralling composition from Keeravani, no less.

Khamma Ghani (Happy Ending) - A very pleasant melody from the musical duo Sachin-Jigar, the backing vocals are exceptionally great.

Payye Payye (Ormayundo Ee Mukham) - Dreamy and absolutely captivating, Shaan Rahman weaves his ethereal, otherworldly soundscape in style.

Raave (Iyobinte Pustakam) - Haricharan and Neha Nair take us through an unbelievable musical journey with this folk track.

My Dear Sweety (Gaddam Gang) - Achu's thoroughly enjoyable jazzy outing.

Ethu Kari Raavilum (Bangalore Days) - It wouldn't be an overstatement if I were to declare 2014 as Haricharan's year. He is simply outstanding here!

Meherbaan (Bang Bang) - Where there is Ash King, there is pure magic.

Ee Pooveyilil (Pakida) - Bijibal's wonderful arrangements makes this melody a fantastic listen.

Pakalinu Veyil (1 By Two) - A mellow guitary melody from Gopi Sundar that gets pitch-perfect vocal backing from Murali Gopy and Sayanora.

Modala Maleyante (Myna) - Jassie Gift makes a noticeable turn as a music composer in Kannada with a lilting, winsome melody, generously helped by Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Nithya Menen on the vocals.

Wishes (Bloom) - I love Beach House and Wishes is everything the shoegaze, dream-pop outfit stands for - psychedelic, serene and... so orgasmic!

Chandelier (1000 Forms of Fear) - Sia's raw singing makes the soaring ballad all the more impactful.

Raging Fire (Behind the Light) - Phillip Phillips, who vowed with Home and Gone, Gone, Gone, is turning out to a great singer to watch out for, and Raging Fire is upbeat, fun and the chorus is truly amazing.

Jealous (Beyonce) - One of Beyonce's best singles, heartfelt and touching in equal measure.

Talking Backwards (Atlas) - A very simple, yet catchy retro song from Real Estate.

Not a Bad Thing (The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2) - Justin Timberlake turns a romantic in this lovely earworm of a melody!

Riptide (Dream Your Life Away) - Another one of those beautiful folk tunes, brilliantly sung by Vance Joy.

Blank Space (1989) - Taylor Swift's transition from country to pop is a bit surprising, but Blank Space has all that you would want from an addictive pop song.

The Monster (The Marshall Mathers LP 2) - A peppy rap number from Eminem featuring guest vocals from Rihanna.

Sing (X) - The A Team singer attempts a Michael Jackson, and he succeeds and how!

Carry Me Ohio (Ghosts of the Great Highway) - Sun Kil Moon has been one of my biggest finds this year alongside Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Arctic Monkeys, and this folk song in particular is extraordinarily relaxing!

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