How to Make a Bangin’ Sex Playlist

August 4, 2015
COLETTE-CALLAWAY

Think about the hottest sex scene you've ever seen in a movie. Think about how much it turned you on, how much it raised the hair on your arms (among other things, if you're a dude), how many times you thought about it afterward. The majority of that on-screen, skin-crawling glory can be attributed to the sexy actors and the flawlessly executed choreography, but part of that was the magnifying effect of the soundtrack. Don't believe me?

Try thinking about the last time you were grinding with someone you really liked at a bar. Slightly inebriated, you were able to get lost in the music and create a rhythm that got increasingly more intense as the songs progressed. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming you both got handsier and bolder as time went by, too. The sensations build, even if the tempo of the music doesn't. Get my drift? Music, when executed well, can be an aphrodisiac—and like all aphrodisiacs, can and should be included in your repertoire.

Why rock out with your cock out?

Playing songs during sex can be incredibly powerful. In my humble opinion, music makes sex better, and sex makes music better. Think about it: Music exists, in essence, to express and subsequently heighten your emotions. What better realm to apply that principle than in between the sheets? And if that's not enough, music releases dopamine, as does sexual activity. THAT'S A DOUBLE DOSE OF DOPAMINE.

All that said, nothing kills the mood faster than a bad playlist (or bad music in general). Nickelback, Lil' Jon, and Disney music are all guaranteed to make you lose your boner (or lady boner).

Different kinds of sex necessitate different kinds of playlists and different kinds of music. Hair pulling and spanking don't really call for the same jams as sweet, tender, I-love-you sex. Your best bet? Make one for every mood, of course! A few categories to get you started:

A rough sex playlist
A "make love" playlist
A lazy Sunday playlist
A "we're trying some crazy shit" playlist

I, for one, am tired of finding sex playlists littered with songs like "Bump n' Grind" and "Lets Get It On." Yes, I understand why they frequently make the cut, and yes, I have indulged in a little Marvin Gaye nookie myself, but I want a mix that doesn't scream "I made this playlist just for us to have sex to" (even though I did).

Luckily, you can make your own that won't make you cringe the first time you bust out your bluetooth speaker with someone new, and it doesn't have to be a complicated process, either.

Don't make it cheesy

The No. 1 thing I would suggest avoiding are songs that have over-the-top sexual lyrics. It can take an authentic experience and make it feel cheesy and hackneyed, which isn't what anyone wants. And yes, that technically means avoiding songs like "Pony" (maybe my favorite song of all time) and anything by Marvin Gaye. The one exception I'll make is "Skin" by Rihanna—it is sexy as hell and I'm listening to it right now and ... never mind. Anyways. One last note: You know that tinkling noise that sounds like stars delicately falling from the sky? Avoid them at all costs. This is not Cinderella.

Don't overplan

Many people will plan their workout playlists to build, matching their heart rates with the RPM of the songs. (RPM stands for "revolutions per minute" and refers how fast a disk would have to turn to play the song). You can technically do this for sex, too, since it tends to speed up at the two of you get excited, but most folks would suggest against it. The rhythm can ebb and flow a bit, and if you're not there when the playlist is, well—you're fucked. And not in the good way. My best advice? Mix it up, and make sure you have a few different speeds going on.

And now, for the music itself! I usually spring for dubstep-y stuff that ranges in pace (trust me—it's trippy in all the right ways) or rock underscored with blues, though I do lean toward heavier stuff when things are a little more rough. Here are a few of my faves:

1. The Weeknd

Almost every song by The Weeknd is magical during sex, though I might exclude "Can't Feel My Face." Then again, I've heard more than one person say that exact quote during sex, so to each his own. "High for This" is great for foreplay (Ellie Goulding/PatrickReza have a great cover for those who want something faster), though I am also partial to "Rolling Stone."

2. Massive Attack

This is a dubstep remix, yes, but IT'S MY FAVORITE SEX SONG OF ALL TIME. Listen to it build, and don't stop until you get to 1:10. See what I mean? Massive Attack, even without remixing of any kind, is easy to get lost in—which is exactly what you want.

3. The Black Keys

Now we're ramping up a little. The Black Keys, one of my favorite bands of all time, are fabulous for sexy time because of the grit the majority of their songs have. Just the right amount of heavy and just the right amount of sensual, this stuff is for late night, after bars, wicked-gleam-in-your-eye sex. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.

4. Wolf Alice

A little faster now.

5. Miguel

This is the shit you make love to. His latest album, Wildheart, was basically made for it.

6. Hozier

This defines lazy Sunday sex—unhurried, sensual, a little tender. "Cherry Wine" by Hozier is sweeter, while "Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene" is wrought with a little bit more of the desperation lust brings. Any and all are good songs to add to your playlist. If you're having drunk sex, turn on "Jackie and Wilson." You're welcome.

7. Royal Blood

I'm biased because Royal Blood is my favorite band, but to me, this stuff was made for rough sex. I could be at work in the middle of day listening to this stuff (this situation is starting to sound familiar...), and the guitar in these songs would turn me on. Ugh.