Kal Ho Naa Ho | Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy No list of the best Hindi songs ever is complete without this existential anthem. While "Pretty Woman" ruled the West, Sonu Nigam gave us a melody that teaches us to live in the moment. The heartbreaking piano progression combined with lyrics by Javed Akhtar makes it the quintessential modern classic. It remains the most played song at graduations and funerals alike in India.