Today is the day when 73 years back, Pakistan was declared an independent state, one where we could live by our rules instead of the British, follow the teachings of Islam and above all, work from nothing to something significant. We have managed to work our way into the world and it’s all because we love our motherland more than anything in the world. What better way to pay tribute to the Independence Day than listening to the 14 best national songs, this 14th August and find out why they find themselves in this coveted list instead of many others.

1-Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai

Music Composer: Nisar Bazmi

Singer: Mehdi Hassan

Poet: Kaleem Usmani

There is no better song than this one to test your patriotism; it not just preaches you to take care of your country but also teaches you how to do that. The moving lyrics will bring tears into your eyes especially the part where Mehdi Hassan tells the listeners that Dekhna Gawana Mat Daulat e Yaqeen Logo, Yeh Watan Amanat Hai Aur Tum Ameen Logo because it’s because of that Daulat e Yaqeen, we have come this far!

2-Zameen Ki Godh Rang Se Umang Se Bhari Rahe

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Mohammad Ifrahim

Poet: Asad Mohammad Khan

The word Pakistan didn’t feature in this song but there was no need, as the poet described the country in simplest of forms, beautiful words. Although Mohammad Ifrahim never managed to capitalize on his style that was similar to his mentor Mohammad Rafi, this song keeps him in the reckoning even after 40 years. Be it his description of Khuda-i-Meherban Ki Yeh Nishanian or Dilon Main Ik Khwab Tha Basa Hua, this song stays fresh and keeps on delivering even today.

3-Watan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna

Music Composer: Khalil Ahmed

Singer: Nayyara Noor

Poet: Masroor Anwar

The video of this happy go lucky song starts with kids trying to paint and while Nayyara Noor encourages them with her vocals, they end up painting the Pakistani flag. What else would you do if told Teri Zameen Kay Yeh Chaand Taray, Hain Jin Ki Aankhon Mein Pyar Tera … of course, show your patriotism with the Chaand and Taaray! Don’t miss out a young Faran Tahir (Hollywood actor) and an even younger Ali Kazmi in the video where youngsters not just make Pakistan proud but color it proud as well.

4-Mera Inaam Pakistan

Music Composer: Niaz Ahmed

Singer: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Poet: Jamil Uddin Aali

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was usually criticized for not having a patriotic song to his credit, but when he did attempt one, it became a rage. It not only came at a time when patriotic songs were not being produced and kick started a revival that generated a few more hits. NFAK’s soulful voice reaches the heart and mind of the listeners and is considered a shining gem from his legacy.

5- Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Mohammad Ali Shyhaki

Poet: Sehba Akhtar

An Iranian student turned pop singer rendering a national song about Pakistan? People were confused at first but the way Mohammad Ali Shyhaki sang the patriotic number, it became so popular that people started associating Shyhaki with this song and not his other hit songs. All the four provinces of Pakistan get mentioned in this number making it a perfect way to celebrate the Independence Day!

6- Yeh Des Hamara Hai

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Waseem Baig & Kids

Poet: Rana Akbar Abadi

Although it was sung by various artists including Sohail Rana, Mona Mukhtar and Sohail Rana’s music program kids, the Waseem Baig version remains the most popular because it is played on 14th August regularly. It was penned by Sohail Rana’s father for the youth who seems to have understood the meaning well, and decided to make Pakistan a prosperous country.

7- Ae Watan Pak Watan

Music Composer: Khalil Ahmed

Singer: Amanat Ali Khan

Poet: Amjad Hussain

Amanat Ali Khan was a ghazal singer who was popular in the 70s because of his stylish dressing and ability to sing difficult numbers. This song was one of his few patriotic songs before his untimely death at a young age, but the way he rendered the line Mere Mehboob Watan Tujh Pe Agar Jaan Ho Nisaar, Main Yeh Samjhoonga Thikanay Laga Sarmaya-i-Dhan not only gives goose bumps to all patriots who listen to it, it also makes us realize how important this country is for us.

8- Tera Pakistan Hai

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Amjad Hussain

Poet: Bashir Farooq

Folk singer Amjad Hussain became an overnight star after he sang this perfect national song which termed Pakistan as Quaid-i-Azam’s Jeeti Jaagti Tasveer, and Allama Iqbal’s Khwabon Ki Tabeer. Add to that Amjad’s long range and pitch and you have a song that outdates everything else from the 1980s.

9-Dil Dil Pakistan

Band: Vital Signs

Poet: Nisar Nasiq

At a time when Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan were the leading pop stars, an unknown band of four engineering students came out with this song and became overnight sensations. Their stardom had less to do with their good looks and more to do with the patriotic song through which they professed their love for their country. It could have been higher in this list but the other songs have something more to offer.

10-Jeevay, Jeevay, Jeevay Pakistan

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Shehnaz Begum

Poet: Jamil Uddin Aali

Spine chilling is the best way to describe this song were Shehnaz Begum sings her way into eternity; she was at that time one of the best singers on TV and the range she sang this number on was amazing. The message of Aik Rakhein gay, Aik Rahay ga, Aik Hai Naam Hamara which the song delivered is still stuck in our minds as if it was part of our DNA!

11-Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhay

Music Composer: Sohail Rana

Singer: Shehnaz Begum

Poet: Masroor Anwar

Another Sohail Rana song delivered by Shehnaz Begum; the maestro’s magnificent composition combined with Masroor Anwar’s verses gave us this classic soon after the creation of Bangladesh. But the message of Jab Tak Hai Yeh Duniya Baqi, Hum Dekhen Azad Tujhe fuels every Pakistani on Independence Day anywhere in the world, making the song the most hummed national song of all time.

12-Khayal Rakhna

Music Composer: Nisar Bazmi

Singer: Alamgir

Poet: Tahir Pervez

Pakistan’s first ‘disco’ national song was sung by Alamgir who was supported by two of the three Benjamin Sisters. With powerful verses like Watan Se Hum Hain, Watan Hai Hum Se, Khayal Rakhna and Umeed e Subhe Jamaal Rakhna penned by Tahir Pervez, the song became a huge hit and is loved by all.

13-Hum Zinda Qaum Hain

Music Composer: Nisar Bazmi

Singer: Tehseen Javed, Amjad Hussain, Benjamin Sisters, Fatima Jafri

Poet: Mehshar Badayuni

If it’s 14th August and this song is not playing anywhere, then it’s not 14th August! Passionately sung by Tehseen Javed, Amjad Hussain, Fatima Jafri and Benjamin Sisters, this song raises the patriotism every time it is shown on TV, played on a speaker or aired on Radio. Each singer represented the multicultural Pakistan and delivered the message of unity to their target audience and they did a great job, so great that this song is popular after nearly 3 decades!

14- Aye Jawan

Band: Awaz

The only other national song from the band era that has survived for so long; Aye Jawan may have been one the final songs featuring Haroon and Faakhir as Awaz but it was better than many of the national songs from the 1990s. Directed by Asim Raza, the music video was quite popular but had the lyrics and composition not been up to the mark, it might have fallen flat on its face. Thankfully it didn’t and we still become patriotic the moment we hear the words Aye Jawan!