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I can’t explain why I love the song SexyBack by Justin Timberlake because, quite frankly, it violates all the norms that usually govern my taste in music. I tend to like classic rock and roll and adult alternative music with a splash of blues, light jazz, and country thrown in. I don’t do pop music, dance music, R & B, or hiphop—and yet SexyBack always makes me want to shake my moneymaker (apologies to the Black Crows).

What can I say, sometimes I surprise myself. I even like that falsetto he sings in—go figure.

Anyway, SexyBack got me thinking about songs I find sexy. I’m not talking romantic, stars-in-my-eyes sort of songs, I’m talking sexy—the type of song that resonates on a primal level.

In no particular order, here a few of my favorite sexy songs for your Friday:

1. Father Figure by George Michael. This pervy little wonder strikes a chord. When George croons, “If you’ll be the desert, I’ll be the sea. If you ever, hunger, hunger for me, whatever you ask for, that’s what I’ll be,” I’m there.

2. I’m on Fire by Bruce Springsteen. This isn’t pervy like Father Figure, but it’s vaguely menacing. Springsteen captures the frightening power of lust. “Sometimes it’s like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull, and cut a six-inch valley through the middle of my skull.” Yeah.

3. Closer to You by Dennis Quaid. Yes, THAT Dennis Quaid. This song is from the The Big Easy soundtrack and Dennis does it justice. Languid and hot like a Louisiana day.

4. Hurts So Good by John Mellencamp. Oh yeah, this is the one that probably led to the catchphrase of my early 20s, “Hurt me, hurt me.” Mellencamp’s 2003 CD “Trouble No More” features a cut called “Stones in My Passway” that is clever and sexy. I’m glad he hasn’t quit smoking—because it hurts his voice so good.

5. Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer. This is a classic. "You can't eat, you can't sleep, there's no doubt, you're in deep."

6. Boys of Summer by Don Henley. “I can see you/Your brown skin shining in the sun/ I see you walking real slow with your Wayfarers on, baby” Love the guitar solo, love the imagery of summer fading, and by God, this made me want to get a set of RayBans.

7. Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow, performed by the Dixie Chicks. “Lie to me/I promise, I’ll believe/Lie to me/but please don’t leave.”

8. Give Me the Keys by Huey Lewis and the News. Flirty and playful and loaded with word play.

9. Cowgirl in the Sand by Neil Young. It’s over ten minutes long and includes amazing guitar work. You can get lost in this song, and a lot can happen in ten minutes.

10. Night Moves by Bob Seger. A nostalgic remembrance of coming of age and first love. "Working on mysteries without any clues..."

Looking at my list, I realize most of these songs were released YEARS ago. So maybe the appeal of Justin Timberlake’s song for me is that at the ripe old age of 44, I need someone commited to “bringing sexy back.”

What’s your favorite sexy song?

October 13, 2006