This is just another thread of SPB’s songs. Yes, there are many such threads, but I’ll explode if I don’t make my own. Full marks if you understand Tamil because the music + SPB’s voice + the lyrics are a package. (But no, I’m not going to endorse Vairamuthu)

Disclaimer, I may not have gotten all the info right, so please add/correct. And there’s no order to it, only feelings thaan. This will take many tweets but I have romba kammi aana loyal followers who will not get annoyed.

We'll start with Duet. Rahman's music. 5 songs, aana Anjali and En Kadhale top the list for me. Just listen to him sing ini meelvathaa at 2:10.

Also, watch this video of SPB singing the song in Super Singer.

Minnale from May Maadham. Rahman again, the violin/cello + the pain SPB portrays in his voice, 2:56 to 3:04, 4:30 to 5:09 esp. This live version hits you and how.

Unna Nenachen from Apoorva Sagodharargal. Kamal’s acting, the pain in SPB's, Sigh, this song is heartbreaking.

Kadhal Rojave from Roja. Mani Ratnam + Rahman's first collaboration. Look at the genius that this video is – music, video, lyrics, SPB’s expression, timeless.

Sundari Kannaal Oru Sethi from Thalapathy. Mani Ratman + Ilaiyaraaja. The original version is SPB + Janaki (goddess who deserves a separate thread herself), but here’s Chitra and SPB singing it. His smile at 4:03 is SO PURE.

Nilave vaa from Mouna Ragam. Mani Ratman + Ilaiyaraaja. Other than the yearning in his voice in nilave vaa, hear him sing sollil vaithay mullai at 2:18 .

Kaatukuyilu from Thalapathy again. SPB and Yesudas for Ilaiyaraaja. 3:31 onwards esp
. Oh, Rakkamma kaiya Thattu as well.

Puthu Maapillaikku, and annaththe aaduraar, from the same movie, Apoorva Sagodharargal. The joy in former, the vegam in the latter. Ah, and Kamal!

Ilaya Nila from Payanangal Mudivathillai. The guitar and the urchagam in SPB’s voice.

Watch him talk about the flute here -

Ithu Oru Pon Malai Pozhudu from Nizhalgal. What a happy optimistic song. Hear him say vanam enaku oru bodhi maram at 3:11 and please feel optimistic.

Enna Saththam Indha Neram from Punnagai Mannan. You can listen to SPB sing aariro ALL DAY.

Slight detour, but please listen to this from Punnagai Mannan if you haven’t - . Ilaiyaraaja only, but Rahman on the synthesizer for him.

Germaniyin Senthen Malare from Ullasa Paravaigal that he sang with Janaki. Happy song, happy video

Kalyana Maalai from Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal I don’t have words to describe this song, none. Just listen to it.

Valaiyosai from Sathya. His sirippu in this song, a terrible video but look at his nija sirippu at 0:52

O Butterfly from Meera, listen to him singing here at Super Singer Mudiyale

Engeyum Eppothum from Ninaithale Inikkum. MSV’s music, Kamal Hassan + Rajini, Kannadasan’s lyrics, SPB singing kaalai japanil coffee, maalai newyorkil cabaret and oh, ulagam namadhu pocketile!

Sorgam maduvile from Sattam En Kayyil. Kaadhal in SPB's voice sounds better than anyone saying kaadhal.

Okay back to MSV, Unakenna Mele from Simla Special. Kamal and SPB, look at the brotherhood here, . The intro, the part that goes aadadha medai illai, podaadha vesham illai..

My Name is Billa from Billa. MSV’s music. Notice how SPB changes the vibe for Rajini. More of SPB’s songs for Rajini later in this thread.

Ragangal Pathinaru from Thillu Mullu. MSV again, SPB singing Kannadasan’s lyrics about ragangal when he was turned down years earlier for not being trained in Carnatic.

He kills it again in Sangeetha Jathimulai from Kadhal Oviyam. Watch him here, . What is that voice, that breath control even? How did Ilaiyaraaja even compose this song?