help a girl unwind after a long day!

November 19, 2011 12:25 PM

i've tried to go through the numerous "looking-for-sexy-music" questions that are out there, but none seem to deal with the specific type of songs i'm looking for: relaxing, sensual songs, usually slow with sexy female vocals and minimal or unobtrusive instrumentation. think along the lines of unwinding in a steamy shower with a candle burning as opposed to music to have sex to.

they can have a little chill-vibe to them, but it shouldn't be the main feel of the song. it also doesn't HAVE to be female if it fulfills the slow and sensual requirement (slow dance by john legend is an example of this exception).

here's a couple examples that fit perfectly what i want - i just want MORE of this, exactly:


Lizz Wright, When I Fall

Corrine Bailey Rae, Til It Happens To You

Melody Gardot, Your Heart is as Black as Night


(i tried linking things but don't know how, sorry!)

any suggestions? i can also try to narrow it down more if this is not enough. Thanks, all!

posted by carlypennylane to media & arts (27 answers total)

Sade's entire catalog.
posted by sanka at 12:34 PM on November 19, 2011 [3 favorites]

Holly Cole's version of I've Just Seen a Face
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:36 PM on November 19, 2011

Cassandra Wilson and Me'Shell NdegéOcello
posted by davebush at 12:38 PM on November 19, 2011

Norah Jones - Thinkin' About You shares some qualities with the Corrine Bailey Rae track, particularly the brilliant electric piano sound.
posted by Lorin at 12:41 PM on November 19, 2011

Regina Spektor, I Want to Sing and Rejazz specifically.
posted by rabbitbookworm at 12:42 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Esperanza Spalding - Precious

Regina Spektor - Field Below

Tori Amos - Icicle

John Mayer - Come Back to Bed


(i tried linking things but don't know how, sorry!)

We just had a thread about this.
posted by John Cohen at 12:43 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Elysian Fields
posted by St. Sorryass at 12:57 PM on November 19, 2011

Madeleine Peyroux has never failed me. Also, Billie Holliday.
posted by elizeh at 1:03 PM on November 19, 2011

Zero 7's In The Waiting Line
posted by merocet at 1:06 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

thanks everyone for the awesome suggestions, keep 'em coming! (and thanks for the info on how to link, john cohen, i'll practice it!)
posted by carlypennylane at 1:07 PM on November 19, 2011

A lot of Carla Bruni's music fits the bill. This, for example.
posted by backwards guitar at 1:18 PM on November 19, 2011

Caramel by Suzanne Vega
posted by exceptinsects at 1:18 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Oh and Swing Out Sister - Making The Right Move
posted by merocet at 1:32 PM on November 19, 2011

Bliss


Vargo

posted by mikeand1 at 1:34 PM on November 19, 2011

backwards guitar, I was also going to suggest Carla Bruni, my own favourite abandon-song is this.

Also this, which is actually quite a melancholy song (in Afrikaans), but it is a wondeful song to listen to in an intimate atmosphere.

Cowboy Junkies' cover of Sweet Jane and Blue Moon.
posted by miorita at 1:39 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Pardon the lack of links, since I'm on an iPod currently, but if I can suggest:
Aim - Sail
Bliss - Evening Sun
posted by azpenguin at 2:03 PM on November 19, 2011

some songs by AIR (french band) first came to mind:

All I Need
You Make It Easy
maybe
Le Soleil Est Près De Moi

you might want check out tracks by these artists:
Astrud Gilberto
Pink Martini
Omara Portuondo
posted by mrmarley at 2:10 PM on November 19, 2011 [1 favorite]

Portishead might also answer (quite trippy though).

And this is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard, pure and sensuous at the same time.

Thanks for asking this question - I am so enjoying listening to what everone has posted...
posted by miorita at 2:25 PM on November 19, 2011

Oh my god, you need to hear Lovespirals, especially the album Long Way from Home, which is straight-up retro '70s-style make-out music. Their other stuff has a bit more of an electronic vibe to it, but is still subtle and meets your needs. That third album, though, is exactly what you're looking for.
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:21 PM on November 19, 2011

I wanted to second Carla Bruni - really velvety-deep voice, extremely sexy in a slow and soothing way. Especially her "Quelqu'un m'a dit".
posted by UniversityNomad at 4:17 PM on November 19, 2011

Sarah McLachlan - Sweet Surrender and Possession
Mazzy Star - Halah and Fade Into You
Ani DiFranco - Both Hands and Joyful Girl
Sarah Harmer - Uniform Grey and Oleander
Feist - My Moon My Man and Mushaboom
Lisa Ekdahl - Vem vet and Benen i kors (love her so much!)
posted by flex at 4:18 PM on November 19, 2011

Maybe Bitter:Sweet would fit --
Don't Forget to Breathe
Heaven
Moving Forward
Moody
posted by bluesapphires at 4:47 PM on November 19, 2011

Foy Vance - Doesn't Take a Whole Day
Katie Melua - Just Like Heaven
Paula Cole - Feelin' Love
posted by shannonigans at 5:09 PM on November 19, 2011

Bird York is the first singer I thought of:
Come Be with Me
In the Deep
Have No Fear
posted by EKStickland at 5:15 PM on November 19, 2011

Lhasa De Sela

These might get close to music to have sex to, but I think trip hop is sexy relaxing.

Massive Attack
Lamb
Portishead
Tricky
posted by looli at 9:53 PM on November 19, 2011

Lauren Hoffman- Fall Away
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 3:23 AM on November 20, 2011

FC Kahuna: "Hayling"
posted by 4ster at 12:56 PM on November 20, 2011