The pioneers of Sufi rock, Junoon are definitely one of Pakistan’s most successful bands and have been the recipient of numerous awards including the “Best International Group” award from Channel V. Written about in top-tier publications including Q Magazine and Rolling Stone, Junoon have numerous chartbusters in Asia and the Middle East and have been labeled as “the U2 of Pakistan” by The New York Times.
Formed in 1990, the band have performed all over the world and have an immense fan following globally. While Ali Azmat and Brian O’Connell have left the band, Salman Ahmad still continues to perform solo under the Junoon label. Here’s a look at Junoon’s Top 10 compositions.
10. “Ghoom Taana” (Dewaar, 2003)
From Junoon’s last studio album, Dewaar, “Ghoom Taana” fuses together classical sangeet and rock music elements. The lyrics are about passion and dedication to fulfilling one’s dreams. Also worth a mention for its splendid lyrics is the melancholic composition “Baarish” from the same album.
9. “Khwaab” (Junoon, 1991)
Beginning with an alaap sounding as if it’s coming from an old record player, followed by a guitar played sarangi-style, “Khwaab” is a pleasant composition with cool percussion arrangements and a nice, steady tempo. A melancholic yet lovely ballad, from Junoon’s first studio album, Junoon.
8. “Zamaane Ke Andaz” (Andaz, 2001)
“Zamaane Ke Andaz,” based upon a poem by Allama Iqbal, made it to the top of music charts in both Asia and the Gulf. The melody is hummable and the vocals are more subdued and easy on the ears.
7. “Hungama” (Dewaar, 2003)
Husky vocals, acoustic, electric and bass guitars are all oozing plenty of attitude in “Hungama.” The Sufi lyrics posing a question to God are interesting. This composition is also from Junoon’s last studio album, Dewaar.
6. “Sajna” (Parvaaz, 1999)
“Sajna” is Junoon’s most memorable romantic Sufi rock composition. The lyrics are very sweet – “Duniya ko thukraaoonga, Teri mohabbat mein bolegi toh main sab se takraaoongaa. Taare bhi le aaoongaa main aasmaano se, Bolegi toh chanda bhi le aaoongaa... Aur rakhoongaa sada main tujhey apne dil ke kareeb” (I will reject the world in your love. If you ask me to I will battle the entire world. I will bring down the stars from the sky if you ask me to. I will also hand you over the moon… I will always keep you with me, close to my heart.” Also worth a mention is “Ghoom” from Parvaaz, which is noteworthy for its Sufi-style poetry and interesting pace to mirror the movement of a charkha.
5. “Sunn” (Junoon, 1991)
Also from Junoon’s first studio album, “Sunn” begins on an eerie, haunting note, and later takes a semi-classical route with the tabala, piano and strings incorporated into the composition. “Sunn” is one of Junoon’s very few compositions where vocals are kept to such a minimum.
4. “Heer” (Junoon, 1991)
Wow, Junoon’s first studio album is sure a winner – here’s another excellent composition from Junoon – “Heer.” It is one of the band’s few instrumental compositions. The manner in which the electric guitar is played as a sitar, the use of the tabalas, and the change in structure around 2.33 to a more playful jugalbandi style make “Heer” a very enjoyable track.
3. “Saeein” (Inquilaab, 1996)
The manner in which the electric and acoustic guitars are played in a Middle-Eastern style, the captivating melody, wonderful lyrics revolving around devotion to God makes “Saeein” very memorable. The build-up in pace towards the end of the composition is pretty neat, too! “Saeein” is a very important composition because it marked the band’s transition into blending rock music, bluesy vocals, rich poetry, and classical sangeet elements.
2. “Garaj Baras” (Dewaar, 2003)
“Garaj Baras” is a totally fun composition revolving around enjoying the rain – the electric guitar riffs are awesome, and the outburst of energy towards the end of the composition is great. The song became so popular that it was selected to feature in Bollywood film Paap. Junoon’s Ali Azmat later performed to the song along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in a Coke Studio episode.
1. “Sayonee” (Azadi, 1997)
“Sayonee” is probably Junoon’s most well-known song around the world, and is part of their album Azadi, which was the band’s debut album in India. The semi-classical style, Sufi lyrics, and overall rock music arrangement were relished by audiences not only in South Asia but even in the Middle East. The song topped charts on both Channel V and MTV Asia for over two months! Also worth a mention are the lively “Khudi” and the poetic “Mahiwal” from Azadi.