Tera Ki Khayal by Guru Randhawa, Sanjoy, Royal Maan

Tera Ki Khayal arrived from the Tera Ki Khayal album and quickly became one of the most replayed tracks of 2022. Credit goes to Sanjoy for a score that understands exactly what the song needs and nothing more.

The voice of Guru Randhawa, Sanjoy, Royal Maan carries Tera Ki Khayal effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The chemistry of a talented ensemble cast is embedded in every moment of Tera Ki Khayal, making it as much a performance as a song.

The song dates from 2022, 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.

The 3:07 runtime feels perfectly judged — long enough to develop its ideas, short enough to compel a second play. Songs like Tera Ki Khayal are the reason people fall in love with Punjabi music and never quite fall out of it.