Pagal by Gurnam Bhullar

Gurnam Bhullar has delivered memorable performances before, but Pagal sits comfortably among the very best. What makes Pagal musically distinctive is the composition by G. Guri, which balances simplicity with depth.

Gurnam Bhullar understood what this song required and delivered it without excess — the restraint itself becomes the emotion. Hearing Pagal without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Pagal.

2019 was a strong year for Punjabi music, and Pagal was among the reasons why. 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 4:29, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Songs like Pagal are the reason people fall in love with Punjabi music and never quite fall out of it.