Take Five: Goodness Gracious Me

Tonight the legenddary codeey show Goodness Gracious Me returns to our screens to celebrate BBC Two's 50th birthday. Along with great characters such as Smita Smitten and Mr Everything Comes From India, I always looked forward to the songs. Here are five that have stuck in my mind. 


Kiss My Chuddies 



From the Bhangra Muffins  Kiss My Chuddies was an original song from the very first television episode. It summed up everything about the Asian rude boy of the time. Shot outdoors it was visually funny and contains the unforgettable image of a teletubbie kissing Kulvinder Ghir.

Asifa Lahore Covers Tum Hi Ho

Asifa Lahore, a DJ and British Asian drag artist, has released her LGBT cover version of Tum Hi Ho. It is her response to those who asked her to do a serious topic, and focuses on the visibility of ethnic minorities in the LGBT community.

Tum Hi Ho is suited to the subject and is sensitively covered. The video tells the story in a simple way that is easy to follow. The project was crowdfunded and some of the people starring in the video had never acted before. Subtitles translating the song make sure the point really gets across.

This cover version of Tum Hi Ho is up on Asifa's SoundCloud page as a free download.

Rooh Covers Sheila Ki Jawani

Rooh, a band based in Dubai, have made a cover version of Sheila Ki Jawani. It is a rock version and has a video to go with it.

The track incorporates original English vocals as well as the original Hindi ones. It starts with a melancholy feel and the way the song is turned around to show the male perspective is clever. The concept works and it one of the best cover tracks I have heard this year.

Shot in front of a crumbling building with flash backs from the night before, the video is simple but effective.  I like this more than Katrina's Kaif's attempt at raunchy dance moves.

Alaa Wardi and Peter Hollens Cover Jai Ho

Alaa Wardi and Peter Hollens have teamed up to make a cover version of Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire. This is an a capella version and uses no additional instruments, just the musicians' voices.

Jai Ho is a Bollywood song that I have heard far too many times. But this new version puts some life back into the track. This is far better than the awful Pussycat Dolls' version. 

Despite living many miles and continents apart, both artists appear in the video. I like the special effects with their heads and striped tops during the song.

Krissy & Lady Kash - This Is Love (Desi Remix)

Krissy and Lady Kash, a singer songwriter and a rapper from Singapore, have made a cover version of Will.i.am's This Is Love.

The duo's Desi remix incorporates Tamil lyrics. Thanks to the language change and the lack of male vocalists the track has a different feel to the original. It's more relaxed and romantic. There is a simple video accompanying the song with shots on a beach and a night scene featuring sparklers. 

If you like this interpretation of This Is Love, you can download it from Lady Kash's website.