Lizzie Sails for England - Shakespeare Wallah by Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray has delivered memorable performances before, but Lizzie Sails for England - Shakespeare Wallah sits comfortably among the very best. The music, composed by Satyajit Ray, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

The voice of Satyajit Ray carries Lizzie Sails for England - Shakespeare Wallah effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. On screen, a talented ensemble cast bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

1965 marked the release of Shakespeare Wallah, and Lizzie Sails for England - Shakespeare Wallah was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

Running to 1:19, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Hindi in recent memory — and the numbers agree.