The 50 sexiest songs: By Marvin Gaye, the xx, Frank Ocean and more

"Sexy MF" by Prince

Prince's credentials as the King of Hump were a thing of public record long before he uncorked this sultry scorcher of a track in 1992. The lyrics and delivery epitomize Prince's libidinous swagger, and the rapped vocals are among his least embarrassing hip-hop attempts; best of all is a killer groove that assures you Prince can keep it up all night long.—Steve Smith

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"French Kiss" by Lil Louis

Produced by Chicago house icon Lil Louis in 1989, “French Kiss” was hardly the first song to blend orgasmic female moaning and dance beats—but the track was probably the first to do so over stark, rat-a-tat drum-machine rhythms and acidic synths, resulting in something more akin to a backroom bang session than a romantic tryst in a four-poster bed. The payoff: About halfway through, the tempo slows to a lascivious crawl and stops dead in its tracks, before slowly regaining its composure, in a succinct aural imitation of la petit mort.—Bruce Tantum

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"Do You Mind" by the xx

Lifted from the xx's debut EP, Islands (2009), "Do You Mind" finds the chic Brit indie trio in stunningly sensual form. Originally a bubblegum dance track by Crazy Cousinz featuring Kyla, the tune gets the xx treatment—and then some. With Jamie Smith's slow, pounding beats and Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim's winding guitar riffs and smoky voices, part of the charm of "Do You Mind" is how polite its lyrics sound, given the fluid ease of the song. To answer that question, we don't mind…at all.—Rachel Sonis

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"Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

From the opening bars, lazy Dylanesque strumming and slide-guitar moans suggest a warm, lazy summer afternoon. Then Hope Sandoval starts singing, her breathy insinuation suggestive and vulnerable at once. The music curls and stretches, and all you can think about is merging with your object of desire.—Steve Smith

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"Lay Lady Lay" by Bob Dylan

By the mid-aughts, ol' Bobby Zimmerman was calling out his crushes (including future "Empire State of Mind" songbird Alicia Keys) by name; back in ’69, though, he still favored cozy anonymity. "Lay Lady Lay" ranks as one of the most languid come-ons of all time—"Stay, lady, stay/Stay with your man a while"—but it works, thanks to Dylan's uncharacteristically supple croon, Kenny Buttrey's clip-clop percussion and Pete Drake's pedal-steel work, which drips over the arrangement like sinful honey.—Hank Shteamer

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"212" by Azealia Banks

People say that the modern era lacks subtlety, and to an extent they’re right. But what Harlem rapper Azealia Banks’s filthy anthem lacks in sophistication, it more than makes up for in out-and-out joy. While Banks starts out suggesting you lick her plum in the evening, the song builds to its climax, with the MC declaring, “I guess that cunt gettin’ eaten!” We celebrate the video in our list of the top 25 oral-sex songs.—Sophie Harris

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"Need You Tonight" by INXS

Crowds screamed for INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, who was associated with a bevvy of famous beauties in his 1980s heyday. Hutchence’s allure is in the way he sings—100 percent—like he means it. On the Aussie rocker’s finest moment, “Need You Tonight,” he begins the song sighing, “All we’ve got is this moment,” as if the world really is about to end. And then: “There’s something about you girl, that makes me sweat.“ Ladies, take a deep breath.—Sophie Harris

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"No Diggity" by Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre

A song so powerful it inspired a new come-on in the R&B world, this smooth Bill Withers–sampling ‘90s classic kicks off with Dr. Dre's self-assured “It’s going down” over a throaty “mmhmm” hook. Story goes, the veteran West Coast rapper is obsessed with his New York shortie—he can’t stop fantasizing about her until he has to hop on a plane back to her “to bag it up.” Mmhmm.—Marley Lynch

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"Untitled (How Does It Feel?)" by D’Angelo

Coupled with soul man D’Angelo’s extraordinary songwriting chops, and an exquisitely chiseled body, the video for “Untitled” is almost too much to watch; the singer is naked as far as the eye can see, and he licks his lips as he sings the song’s refrain (he was thinking of his grandma’s home cooking, he maintains). Besides winning sexiest video on this list, the song is also a contender for most delicious-unbearable musical climax. Press play, and you’ll see what we mean. For an in-depth celebration of D’Angelo’s talents, check out our profile here.—Sophie Harris

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"Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak

Ear porn. Actually, the video for "Wicked Game" is visually titillating too, featuring Isaak romping on the beach with topless supermodel Helena Christensen—but sonically, this 1990 hit exudes lust from hypnotic start to finish. With its velvety guitar melody, silky coolness and sensual, oh-so-soft vocals, no other song about doomed love has fueled more steamy sexxxions. And that dreamy last line? Congratulations, Mr. Isaak: "Wicked Game" is a winner.—Marley Lynch

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