Looking for a little night-music? Not all soundtracks for love-making have to prominently feature Barry White.
Here are RESCU’s top artists to play when you’re in the mood. What are your own favourites?
Back in 2002, a British survey found that, while Britishers liked their Marvin Gaye in the bedroom, other favourites to play during sex included Ravel’s Bolero, Robbie Williams’ Angels and Air’s All I Need.
Definitely an eclectic mix. Hopefully in the suggestions below you’ll find something to suit your speed – fast, slow, soothing, emotionally intense. Pick up your iPod and start experimenting…
RESCU’s Top Sex Soundtracks
Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp are the queens of smooth, dripping-with-sexuality beats and dense, lush vocals. This is suitable for seduction, early in the relationship, or showing off new moves. It’s powerful stuff – apparently there’s so much electricity in the air at gigs that they almost turn into orgies. Use with care.
Mezzanine by Massive Attack
Rated as the top album for bedroom antics by PopTen, who call it the album that conceived a generation, this is slow, insistent and sensitive, and so luscious it almost deserves to be eaten.(Not advised if you were the kind of teenager who listened to Teardrop on repeat after your first break-up.)
Heart Shaped World by Chris Isaak
This may seem like the type of thing your parents would put on, but trust in Isaak’s crooning tendencies. He’s less Elvis than a smoother, more charming version of 1950s pop.
Once he gets to Wicked Game, the song he famously filmed with Helena Christensen rolling half-naked on a beach, you’ll be prepared to melt.
Grace by Jeff Buckley
‘Lover You Should Have Come Over’, ‘Last Goodbye’ – this album is full of sweet, slow soul sexiness. Definitely not for the first date or for a hot and heavy occasion, because it can be a bit depressing – but for emotional sex, turn it on and experience Jeff in all his wonder.
The Teaches Of Peaches by Peaches
The Teaches of Peaches is not for the faint-hearted lover, or for anybody looking for a sensitive, loving soundtrack. Outrageous, loud, thumping and with lyrics that make your ears blush, this is for crazy, wild sex with no holds barred.
Title track ‘The Teaches Of Peaches’ has the heaviest, most bedroom-appropriate beat you’ve ever heard. Forget being tender – this is for tearing each others’ clothes off.
Kick by INXS
OK, so it’s a little dated – but can anybody truly resist Michael Hutchence growling ‘Need You Tonight’, or his oh-so-dramatic ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, when they’re in bed?
This is an album which has its highs and its lows – full-on stomping steaming rhythm for the energetic moments, long slow lulls for intimate moments. Enjoy the ride.
So That Tonight I Might See by Mazzy Star
Containing the blissful Fade Into You, So That Tonight I Might See is for blissful, rainy afternoons and intense romance.
A little bit country, a little bit folk, and full of sweet lyrics, it’s for proper lovers only – and Fade Into You has a good, slow beat.
The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
This one is a classic – it dates from 1994. Now that Trent Reznor has an Oscar, it can be hard to remember that he once wrote a song like Closer, which has lyrics that can’t be repeated on this site.
Best for the kind of sex where you push each others’ boundaries, indulge in kink, and just let go.
Of course, this is a personal thing. If you’re more the kind to love soul and R&B, try Jeremih or Aaliyah; if you love house, go with Portishead; if you’re a jazz kind of person, Charlie Parker.
What are your favourite sex tunes?
Lady Friday xx
Taking the pillow talk out of the bedroom, every Friday…