Musically, 2012 had a lot to offer and while commercial ingredients ensured that quite a few item numbers as well as routine love songs and dance numbers worked with the audience, the songs below with the ones that stood out in a major way.

Tum Hi Ho Bandhu - Cocktail [Music: Pritam]

'Tum Hi Ho Bandhu' was just the kind that one expected in a Saif Ali Khan-Pritam-Neeraj Shreedhar collaboration. A chartbuster which fused Indian melody with Western arrangements while being well aided by some terrific singing by Kavita Seth, 'Tum Hi Ho Bandhu' was the kind that turned out to be a DJ's favourite as well as super hot amongst campus crowds. A well tuned song in all regards and boasting of some poetic lyrics by Irshad Kamil, 'Tum Hi Ho Bandhu' was an instant winner.

Ishq Wala Love - Student of the Year [Music: Vishal-Shekhar]

'Ishq Wala Love' was a soft outing which had melody at the core of it. In fact it won't be wrong to say that this song, which had Salim Merchant coming behind the mike and also had new find Neeti Mohan giving a good account of herself, had a faint A.R. Rahman touch to it, especially in the way it was arranged. With Shekhar Ravjiani joining the proceedings, this romantic number turned out to be a good addition to Karan Johar's bank of chartbuster outings even though the key words 'Ishq Waala Love' led to quite a few parodies.

Long Drive - Khiladi 786 [Music: Himesh Reshammiya]

Written by Sameer, 'Long Drive' was a fun-n-celebration number about making merry with the loved one. Mika Singh came behind the mike for this hip-hop number which was instantly catchy as well. While the beginning (with a harmonium) caught your attention, one could also sense a quintessential Himesh stamp to the song as it warmed up and brought in some added beats. In fact this was one song which could well have had Himesh himself rendering it and no one would have minded that.

Pani Da Rang - Vicky Donor [Music: Ayushmann Khurranna, Rochak Kohli]

This one was a huge surprise as Ayushmann Khurrana gave a very good account of himself as the singer, co-lyricist & co-composer (with Rochak Kohli). With melody being it's core, it was a good fusion of folk and Western arrangements, boasted of heart felt lyrics and most importantly was sung quite well, hence turning out to be a highlight of the film. Sukanya Purkayastha did well in the female version though one was always tempted to go back to the male version as Ayushmann pretty much fitted the bill.

Pareshaan - Ishaqzaade [Music: Amit Trivedi]

'Pareshan' which, instead of making you go 'pareshan', ended up entertaining in the film. Lyricist Kausar Munir came on her own here and spun words in an unheard of manner. A love song with a difference which was set in a soft rock mode with a good fusion of Indian melody, 'Pareshan' turned out to be further popular after the film's release. Sung quite well by new-find Shalmali Kholgade, 'Pareshan' lent an altogether different feel with it's 'remix version', hence allowing it to find a comfortable entry into the DJ's favourites.