Golden Era Bollywood Review: Lata Mangeshkar - Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh (A Strange Story is This)

Of course, I would be absolutely rude if I did not cover this classic Lata Mangeshkar song when covering the Golden Era. For those entering with the hope to see Bollywood try Thriller based on the title, sorry. That happened years later. Yes, that happened.

Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh is the type of song you might S.D. Burman write, not Shankar-Jaikishan. It has that folksy feel, and strong usage of guitars, almost creating a 50's beachy feel. This is assisted by a choir of vocalists, with a massive vocal range. The choir drives the song, almost more than Lata herself. Violins and brass also make brief and clever moves.

The chorus is the heart of this song, driven by a call-and-response move, with Lata calling and the choir responding. Mid-way through, it switches to a call-and-resonse between the guitar and the choir. The refrain hook by Lata might be one of the most legendary musical moments of all time.

Of course, a song about heartbreak must have a sad heart, and Lata's soulful voice sells this sentiment greatly. For the last minute or two, the production grows, adding to the melody. You don't see sad songs like this anymore, and they are certainly missed.

Rating: 10/10