They may have been under fire for the way Coke Studio Season 10 turned out but Strings is nothing short of a national treasure in Pakistan and abroad. Bollywood actor Zayed Khan couldn’t hide his happiness when he first met Strings in a telethon for one of the private TV channels a few years back. He told the host that it was his dream to meet Strings and hear them sing Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar live.
Thankfully, there are many people in Pakistan who appreciate Strings’ efforts outside the Coke Studio and consider them iconic in a country where pop music is more on decline than on the rise.
Let’s analyze Strings’ journey throughout the years and listen to some of the brilliant songs that have mesmerized generations.
Strings Album 1 & 2
The first Strings album was released in 1990 at a time when everyone with a musical instrument was pursuing music as a profession. Led by Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood, the band ruled the airwaves with their innovative songs and within 3 years, released as many as 2 successful music albums, the songs of which are considered classics by many.
Jabse Tumko
Lori
Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar
Strings Homecoming
Strings disbanded in the early 90s and reunited a few years later with just Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood; however their songs became hugely popular and since their return they have delivered hits after hits, collaborating with the best in the business as well.
Duur
Tu Hai Kahaan (feat Haroon and Junaid Jamshed)
Hai Koi Hum Jaisa
Main Tu Dekhunga
Anjane
Chaye Chaye
Dhaani
Kahani Mohabbat Ki Hai
Koi Aanay Wala Hai
Titliyan (A tribute to legends)
Ab Tu Kuch Karna Parega (feat Atif Aslam)
First Feature Film Moor
Strings made their film debut in Pakistan through Jami’s Moor the soundtrack of which can be counted as one of the best since the revival of films in 2013. Bilal and Faisal performed in a couple of songs while composed the entire soundtrack that became very popular.
Eva by Meesha Shafi
Jiye Jiye Ja by Rahma Ali
Jogiya by Javed Bashir
Strings in Bollywood
Strings have a huge following in India and they have performed for a few Bollywood flicks including Shootout At Lokhandwala and Zinda where their songs did amazingly well.
Aakhri Alvida
Zinda
Strings in Hollywood
After Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Strings became the second performers to sing for a Hollywood film – Spiderman 2 in 2004. Atif Aslam went later for The Reluctant Fundamentalist but it was Strings’ elevation that caught all by surprise.
They have been brand ambassadors for Pakistan for 29 years now and in a year, they will become the first musical band to give 30 years of their lives to the music industry in Pakistan.
Na Janay Kiyun
