The Dirty Dozen: A Playlist for Lovers by jessica drake

When I was asked to create a playlist of the best sex songs somebody suggested calling it "Days of Wine and Vinyl," which really wasn't too bad. Then we thought about something like "The Sexiest Songs Ever Recorded." You know, a list of the usual funky classics, trotted out once more to thrill the ears and bodies of grateful listeners. But somehow it just sounded too dry and humorless, which would never do.

But "The Dirty Dozen" is kinda nice, don't you think? Mainly, it feels good, is snappy and concise, and it doesn't bury the lead - after all, everyone appreciates a good collection of sick beats when setting the mood. But the title also relates directly (and cleverly) to the focus of this list. What we did, see, was compile a list of a hundred titles we felt would satisfy loved-up, yoga-toned, barely dressed ravers just as easily as fans of techno and house. Then, with scissors sliding about in our sweaty hands and tears of regret in our eyes, we snipped away nearly ninety of our choices, including  classics like "How Many Licks," (sorry, Lil' Kim), "Justify My Love," (likewise, Madonna), and "Closer" (and you too, Trent Reznor).  

Our sorrow was tempered, though, by the obvious necessity of the amputation. We had to make room for twelve of the most seductive tunes available in digital music libraries.  Because whether one wants to set the mood on the dance floor or in the bedroom, the tunes on this playlist have stood the test of time.

10.) "Red Light Special," TLC  

TLC cut some exquisite R&B singles in their day, and this is one of the best. Whether you think of it as bedroom music or just a great mood setter, it's amazing how they get from "I'll let you touch it if you'd like to go down / I'll let you go further if you take the southern route" all the way to "If you want it tonight just come through my door / Take off my clothes and turn on the red light." 

9.) "AA XXX," Peaches

A proto-feminist anthem, this leans toward the playlist's dance-oriented side, as do most of the newer songs. Memorable lines: "Rocking me all night, flexing his might / Doing it right, keeping me tight, taking a bite out of the Peach tonight."

8.) "Moments in Love," The Art of Noise.

Want some exotica to use as a backdrop to experimentation? This is made to order, pulling you into the groove with one of the sexiest beats ever coaxed from a keyboard.

7.) "Angel," Massive Attack 

You made not recognize the title, but you've likely heard this song before, in films like Snatch and on the soundtracks of TV shows like Burn Notice and The Following.  An intense mood setter that blends hypnotic beats with breezy lyrics that don't get in the way but are there if you want them. Also give a listen to the bass.

6.) "Wicked Game," Chris Isaak 

Melody comes to the fore here, sweeping over a haunting backdrop. Powerful singing and sensual lyrics challenge one of the greatest videos ever shot for the Highlight of Song Award. Hey, is that Duane Eddy on twang guitar?

5.) "Glory Box," Portishead 

Shades of trip-hop, shades of symphonic metal...bedroom anthems just don't get much better than this Goth take on Isaac Hayes' "Ike's Rap II." Beth Gibbon's seductive vocals give urgency to lyrics like "leave it to the other girls to play…I've been a temptress too long."

4.) "Womanizer," Lily Allen

This fantastic cover of Britney Spears' dancehall anthem is more heavy than happy, taking Spears' up-town hooks and giving them an indie makeover. With Lily Allen's precocious vocals, it's got everything a hit single needs: It takes a long time to hear the words, it gets a little shorter every time you hear it, and it sounds as good in a club's VIP section as it does in the bedroom.

3.) "Pour It Up," Rihanna

Moody and dark, this sensual track reinvents the strip-club anthem, adding hip hop beats and sparse instrumentation to Rihanna's sultry declarations of independence. Critics may have been quick to lament lyrics like "Strippers going up and down that pole / I still got my money," but the track caught the attention of self-described dissident feminist Camille Paglia, who praised Rihanna for "using a strip club as a hallucinatory metaphor for an identity crisis about sex and materialism."

2.) "Sex Never Felt Better," TGT

A priceless R&B groove created by three masters of the form: Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese. The centerpiece of TGT's debut album "Three Kings," this slow-burner casts subtlety to the wind with lyrics like "in the bed or on the floor, your body's begging me for more."

1.) "Crash Into Me," Dave Matthews Band

This staple of 90s FM radio was all things to all people: Some saw it as a paean to traditional romance while others insisted it was about anonymous voyeurism. As usual, both parties were right, with Matthews acknowledging the voyeuristic perspective while citing his wife Ashley as the song's inspiration. "Hike up your skirt a little more / And show the world to me." A great song, brilliant execution. This one absolutely had to top the list. 

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About jessica drake:

jessica drake is an exclusive Wicked Pictures contract performer, writer, and director, as well as a global humanitarian and emerging sexual wellness authority.  The three-time AVN Best Actress recipient's brilliant career continues to move forward with ambitious adult productions like Brad Armstrong’s “Underworld” and "Aftermath," "Snow White XXX: An Axel Braun Parody," and instructional releases for “jessica drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex.  In “Guide to Wicked Sex,” jessica brings erotic topics to life through intimate demonstrations performed by some of today's hottest adult stars. Each volume addresses different aspects of human sexuality explored with a distinct blend of knowledge, experience, and good humor, which is refreshing for the sexual self-help genre.  For more information, visit www.GuideToWickedSex, www.Twitter.com/thejessicadrake, or www.Twitter.com/Guide2WickedSex.

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