Jaage Hain - Guru by A.R. Rahman, K. S. Chithra, Madras Chorale Group

Released as part of Guru, Jaage Hain - Guru announced itself as a standout the moment it reached listeners. The production by A.R. Rahman is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The voice of A.R. Rahman, K. S. Chithra, Madras Chorale Group carries Jaage Hain - Guru effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. Featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, R. Madhavan, Vidya Balan, Mithun Chakraborty, Arya Babbar, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

When it came out in 2007, Jaage Hain - Guru felt timely. Years later, it feels timeless. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

Running to 6:34, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. For anyone yet to hear Jaage Hain - Guru, the experience ahead is a good one. For those returning, it will be as good as they remember.