Rich here. Over the years perhaps no other subject has been more the focus of music than Sex. And despite the motto of "Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll," rock 'n' roll certainly wasn't the first genre to sing about sex. Before blues, before R&B, and before the sly euphemisms of jazz lyrics, entire operas were written about sexual passion and the tragic jealousies that ensued in their wake. Heck, take a look at your hymnbook; just substitute the word "you" for the words "Jesus" or "God," and you'll see how much the lyrics of worship ring with incredible yearning and sensual longings. (Talk about sublimation!)
Unfortunately, the majority of blues and rock songs that deal with sex have a raw crudeness that celebrates mere fucking while obliterating the sensual longings of passion and desire that result in deep penetration. It's elevation of banging over caresses that make the senses tingle.
But there are a few songs -- Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Girl from Ipanema," "Wicked Games" by Chris Isaak -- in which music, lyrics, and arrangement all work together to celebrate sensuality.
And in the '90s -- at the height of grunge, no less -- one of the most sensual songs of the modern era was a big hit. Sarah McLachlan's "Possession" is filled with reverb, sultry organ sounds, whispered echoing vocals, a throbbing bass, and allusions to yearning that convince her lover that she wants to possess him (her?) body and soul.
Oh you speak to me in riddles and
You speak to me in rhymes
My body aches to breathe your breath
Your words keep me alive
And I would be the one to hold you down
Kiss you so hard; I'll take your breath away
Oh, my! Being kissed so hard, it'll take your breath away.
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