Pyaar Hi Thha by Palash Sen, Euphoria

Few songs from 2020 have held their ground as well as Pyaar Hi Thha, a track that keeps finding new audiences. Behind the melody is the work of Palash Sen, Euphoria, whose composition choices give Pyaar Hi Thha its distinctive texture.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Pyaar Hi Thha, Palash Sen, Euphoria clearly belongs in the second group. Hearing Pyaar Hi Thha without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Phir Dhoom.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

Running to 4:22, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The staying power of Pyaar Hi Thha is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.