Music composer and singer Shankar Mahadevan has explained why singers sometimes forget the lyrics of songs that have become hugely popular, saying that once a song is completed and released, they naturally move on to new material.
Shankar recently joined Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa, playback singer Shaan and Meiyang Chang for a conversation marking 25 years of the cult film Dil Chahta Hai.
During a special Spotify video, Shaan wondered why he often forgets the lyrics of his own songs. Shankar explained that after a song becomes successful, it is no longer at the forefront of the singer’s mind.
“I will tell you why. Because you have already sung that song. The song has become popular. It has become a super hit. And you have already moved ahead. So that’s no longer a priority. That’s already done,” Shankar said.
He added that singers are more likely to remember the lyrics of a new song because they remain completely focused on getting every detail right.
“If it’s a new song, a new melody, a new set of lyrics, you will be 100 per cent focused. And you will see to it like, ‘I shouldn’t make a mistake’. Then there will be no mistakes there,” he said.
Shaan then shared an amusing incident from a recording session involving lyricist Javed Akhtar. He recalled that he once began creating his own lyrics during a session and later asked Akhtar if everything was fine.
According to Shaan, Akhtar told him that he was writing the lyrics himself. Shaan said he initially failed to understand the comment, before Akhtar pointed out that the lines he was creating were actually from his own songs.
Dil Chahta Hai, which recently completed 25 years since its release, marked Farhan Akhtar’s directorial debut and went on to become a landmark film in modern Hindi cinema.
Starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna, the film’s portrayal of friendship, romance and youthful independence struck a chord with audiences. Its Goa road trip, in particular, became a cultural reference point for generations of friends.
The film also made an impact through its contemporary visual style, casual fashion and conversational storytelling, while its soundtrack blended rock, pop and Indian musical influences.