Chura Liya Hai Tumne... Songs That Inspired RD Burman, The Genius

On RD Burman’s death anniversary, take a look at some of the original compositions that inspired a few of his hits.

As the phrase goes - ‘Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration’. Now we all know that RD Burman is a musical genius; one of Bollywood’s most influential music composers of all time in the 3 decades that he ruled over both our hearts and the music charts. But here we bring you what is perhaps the one percent inspiration that fueled this genius.

We list 5 popular tracks that RD Burman aka Pancham Da took... well inspiration from!

1. Let’s Twist Again – Aao Twist Karein

One of the classic hit singles of 1961, Chubby Checker rocked the world with his song Let’s Twist Again. This song became such a rave that everyone was busy learning the Twist. So when Mehmood did it on-screen our audience went crazy.

Thanks to Burman for introducing the Twist in India with the song Aao Twist Karein from the super-hit classic Bhoot Bangla (1965).

2. Zigeunerjunge – Dilbar Mere

Doris Treitz (Alexandra) was a popular German singer who passed away in 1969 at a very young age of just 27. Nonetheless she did manage to inspire our legendary music composer. Doris’ song found a place in the Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini starrer hit Satte Pe Satta (1982), and what a song Pancham Da turned it into!

3. Mamma Mia – Mil Gaya Humko Saathi

Mamma Mia! seriously, how could Pacham Da resist ABBA’s foot-tapping number? The song was recorded by the Swedish pop band and released in 1975. Two years later, Burman gave us the equally catchy Mil Gaya Humko Saathi track in Hum Kisise Kum Naheen.

The on-screen competition between Rishi Kapoor and Tariq Khan added to make it a perfect dance-off song for the Indian masses.

4. Ta Rialia – Mehbooba Mehbooba

This Greek musician called Michalis Violaris gained instant popularity in Greece with his song Ta Rialia in 1973. Later an English version of the song, Say You Love Me by Demis Roussos also became a chartbuster.

Burman pumped up the beat and the awesome Mehbooba Mehbooba track from the evergreen classic Sholay was born, sung by Pancham Da himself (we also had Helen spicing up things on screen)!

5. The Yellow Rose of Texas – Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi

The Yellow Rose of Texas is a traditional American folk song, there have been several versions of it, including one recorded by none other than Elvis Presley. But the version we are most familiar with is this memorable one that RD Burman gave us in the film Aa Gale Lag Jaa.

(This story is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on June 27, 2015, on the RD Burman’s birth anniversary. It is being republished to commemorate the maestro’s death anniversary.)