What is the smoothest teenage sex music?

June 3, 2008 4:19 PM

If you were doing the soundtrack for a teen comedy, what song would you play in this scene?

A nervous 14 year-old girl finally gets her crush to sleep over at her place. Naturally, she wants it to get hot and heavy. However, when she quaveringly proposes that they go to bed, her crush shrugs and flops over diagonally in bed--clearly not inviting any action, and not giving our hero any space to sleep. As the oblivious crush slumbers away, our stymied hero has no choice but to curl up like a dog on the miniscule corner of the bed left to her, struggling to pull a bit of blanket over her...etc.

We originally wanted Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" for this scene, kicking in just as the viewer begins to detect some potential sexiness on the horizon. The gag (obviously) was to play some recognizable "sex music" during this disappointingly non-sexual encounter. However, we've come to think that (1) the song is too cliched, and (2) it's too removed from what the protagonist would actually listen to. While the music here is non-diagetic, we didn't want it to be too different from the other stuff she likes, such as the Ramones, Devo, and Eric's Trip.

So can you think of a song that's in the same ballpark of silky, yearning sexiness, but is (at least SLIGHTLY) less well known...which is possibly by an indie artist and not too much like 'adult' sex music?

posted by Beardman to media & arts (44 comments total)

Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
posted by Bigfoot Mandala at 4:29 PM on June 3 [1 favorite]

As a big fan of Devo and Eric's Trip, when I crave obscure sex music, I play Mind Science.
posted by bunnytricks at 4:31 PM on June 3

Actually, that's pretty cliche, isn't it? There are a lot of cover versions, including, I think, Nick Cave. Or what about something by Pulp?
posted by Bigfoot Mandala at 4:34 PM on June 3

"Do I Move You?" - Nina Simone
"Tonight's The Night" - Rod Stewart or Solomon Burke
"Knock Me A Kiss" - Louis Jordan
posted by Frank Grimes at 4:34 PM on June 3

This is not exactly what you asked or, and it depends upon this being a heterosexual crush, but it's the first thing that came into my mind:

The Waitresses, "I Know What Boys Like."
posted by googly at 4:37 PM on June 3 [2 favorites]

We originally wanted Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" for this scene,

Well, there's your first mistake. You should have originally wanted his "Let's Get it On."

That said, is hip hop acceptable? How about some Missy Elliott? (Or, for a slightly more "indie" feel, the Missy Elliot / Joy Division Mashup, although good luck clearing that one!). Or maybe some Kelis? (Oh, the irony-- your protagonist's milkshare sure isn't bringing this boy to the yard...)
posted by dersins at 4:38 PM on June 3

Oh! The Afghan Whigs "Be Sweet" would be amusing against that scene.
posted by bunnytricks at 4:39 PM on June 3

"Control" by Traci Lords. Actually, anything off of "10,000 Fires".
A lot of Love and Rockets, when it's not killyourself-a-riffic, has a sexiness to it.
"Plain Song" by The Cure has a triumphant romance to it that's very sexy.

I'm assuming you want something a little dated teenager as opposed to current teenager.
posted by Gucky at 4:40 PM on June 3

This may not quite be what you're looking for, but the first thing that popped into my head while reading the description of the scene was "Under the Milky Way" by the Church. It's not overly "sexy sex music," but it's certainly got a very sensual vibe, and the line "wish I knew what you were looking for / might have known what you would find" certainly has a wonderfully yearning tone to it.
posted by scody at 4:48 PM on June 3 [1 favorite]

Feel Like Makin' Love, performed by Bad Company or Queen + Paul Rodgers? More rock than silk, but this song totally says high school sex (at least, it does to me ... *cough*).
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 4:54 PM on June 3

And yet another - The Spinanes - Love, The Lazee, which has the line that perfectly fits the scene of curling away from the boy who takes up the whole bed: "I long for the light lanky of ya".
posted by bunnytricks at 4:59 PM on June 3

Okay, one more and I'll make myself stop. Elvis Costello/Burt Bacharach - "Such Unlikely Lovers."
posted by bunnytricks at 5:08 PM on June 3

Sweet about me - Gabriella Cilmi

Gabriella is 16 years old and the chorus is "sweet about me, there's nothing sweet about me."
posted by b33j at 5:13 PM on June 3

You could always go for irony in your comedy -- Cheap Trick, "I Want You to Want Me."

Or maybe some Prince, "When Doves Cry," or Morris Day and the Time's "Jungle Love."
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:16 PM on June 3

If she's forced to take matters into her own hands while the boyfriend is sleeping, The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself" might be a good one.

Some others:

"I've Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" sung by Ella Fitzgerald
"I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl" sung by Nina Simone
posted by emelenjr at 5:21 PM on June 3

The Cure: Love Cats
Iggy Pop: I Wanna Be Your Dog
Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax

And even though she probably wouldn't listen to it...

Sam and Dave: Hold On, I'm Coming
posted by Navelgazer at 5:25 PM on June 3

5:55 by Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Breathy, sexy song, with lyrics that describe your situation.
posted by veedubya at 5:36 PM on June 3

Few pertinent questions:

Is this a mid-eighties period piece?

Is this a guy or a girl she's with?
posted by Navelgazer at 5:39 PM on June 3

How Naked Are We Going to Get? by The Blow
Little Bit by Lykke Li
First Love by Uffie
Under Your Charms by Josh Rouse
Something About Us by Daft Punk
posted by awesomebrad at 5:40 PM on June 3

It doesn't match your "sexy" spec, but I think Devo's "Shrivel Up" would work here perfectly. I imagine a light instrumental version of the main theme, on a loop, then the crescendo(?) as he flops down on the bed, then you can cut to the lyrics right near the end as she's edging into her small section of bed - "Shrivel Up, Devo!"
posted by Meatbomb at 5:44 PM on June 3

Not teen music but "One on one" by Hall and Oats or Lou Rawls " I'll see you when I get there" would make me laugh.
posted by jade east at 5:49 PM on June 3

Feel Like Makin' Love, performed by Bad Company or Queen + Paul Rodgers? More rock than silk, but this song totally says high school sex (at least, it does to me ... *cough*).

If you want a "punkish" twist, Goldfinger does a cover of this song as well.
posted by inigo2 at 5:55 PM on June 3

Prince's Purple Rain is considered sexy music, and judging by how many times it's played on the damn jukebox in the tavern frequented by 20somethings in my neighborhood, it's well-known and has enough cred. When Doves Cry or Darling Nikki.

If you want to stick with the punkish theme, there's always the Buzzcock's Orgasm Addict.

Seconding the suggestions of Ella, and of Nina Simone.
posted by desuetude at 5:59 PM on June 3

Can I be totally cliche? Oh wait it's the internet, I can do whatever I want :)

I suggest "Everybody Hurts" by REM. I remember that playing on My So Called Life when Jordan stands Angela up, and it was just perfect.
posted by radioamy at 6:11 PM on June 3

Something foreign=automatic indy cred.
posted by gauchodaspampas at 6:19 PM on June 3

So can you think of a song that's in the same ballpark of silky, yearning sexiness, but is (at least SLIGHTLY) less well known...which is possibly by an indie artist and not too much like 'adult' sex music?

"Bull in the Heather" by Sonic Youth
"Out of Body" by The Dirty Hearts
posted by 23skidoo at 6:39 PM on June 3

Seconding "Under the Milky Way." It was already used in Donnie Darko, though, but it seems perfect.

Or "Friendly Fire" by Fury in the Slaughterhouse? Though that one might be better if the crush is a girl.

We've got a brand new game with an age old name
Called birds and bees it's always been the same
Since the world began

I know I play with fire and you're gasoline
I'm your fool and you're my queen
The one that I admire
Well we've reached the top and don't look back
You took my heart and broke my neck
ooh how I desire
To die in your friendly fire

Well I want you girl and that's all I want
I'll be the blitzkrieg tank at your bedroom front
And I'll roll over your landmines
posted by Ostara at 6:55 PM on June 3

What about that song "Leisure Suite" by Feist? It sounds like it is sung by a sexy woman who knows she is about to get some action. In fact, I think it is not a very good song because it is too sexy-cheesy.
posted by foxinthesnow at 7:13 PM on June 3

"When We Do It" by DEVO, unless the movie is set before 1990
posted by SansPoint at 7:15 PM on June 3

I Love You by Sarah McLachlan
posted by CrunchyFrog at 7:27 PM on June 3

Feel Like Makin' Love, performed by Bad Company or Queen + Paul Rodgers? More rock than silk, but this song totally says high school sex (at least, it does to me ... *cough*).

If you want a "punkish" twist, Goldfinger does a cover of this song as well.

If you want a folkish lesbian twist, Two Nice Girls did a cover of it (in a medley with Donna Summer's "I Feel Love") too.
posted by Lucinda at 8:54 PM on June 3

imogen heap: come here boy
posted by and for no one at 9:12 PM on June 3

You want modern R&B. Maybe Love in this Club by Usher, or something from Justin Timberlake.
posted by kingjoeshmoe at 9:25 PM on June 3

I would caution against anything where the lyrics are supposed to be super-duper-meaningful-especially-this-one-line to the scene. It often turns into precious and tryingtoohard for those who know every word to the song, and huh? for everyone else.

But for another suggestion, I suggest Sex on Wheelz. Or anything by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, really.
posted by desuetude at 9:27 PM on June 3

If a teenaged guy not only misses a sexual overture but is so clueless he doesn't even give a girl space on the same bed, I think you'll need science fiction-y theremin music.

Definitely theremin.
posted by codswallop at 9:39 PM on June 3

I'd be curious to know if Lovage was exactly right or exactly wrong for this. I think it's worth a shot -- kind of an album's worth of Je T'aime... Moi Non Pluses for people who like Mike Patton. Try Sex (I'm a), or possibly Stroker Ace.
posted by churl at 9:56 PM on June 3

If you're going for sardonic/ironic:
"Please Please Please (Let Me Get What I Want)" (either Either The Smiths' or Muse's versions)
"Got You Where I Want You" by The Flys
"Can't Get Next To You" by Al Green
posted by thisjax at 11:51 PM on June 3

Oh yeah-- are Lords of Acid too dated?
posted by dersins at 12:34 AM on June 4

Bell Biv DeVoe - Do Me
posted by Pronoiac at 12:58 AM on June 4

Barry White - Never Gonna Give You Up
posted by Hellafiles at 6:23 AM on June 4

Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
posted by Pronoiac at 8:51 AM on June 4

Going down the same track as googly, the Bouncing Souls (pop punk, like NOFX, would she like them?) cover "I Know What Boys Like" (it's the untitled track on The Good, The Bad, and The Argyle). It's not smooth, but it'd be ironic and frustrated.
posted by salvia at 6:10 PM on June 4

I've got it! The stripper favorite "I would die for you" by Garbage, complete with the fake orgasm noises.

Is there a strip club that doesn't have that on regular rotation?
posted by Gucky at 4:01 PM on June 10

I think that Garbage song is called "#1 Crush." It rocks & it sounds frustrated.
posted by Pronoiac at 10:46 PM on June 10