40. MGMT "Electric Feel" (2008)

Beyond the fist-pumping 6/4 stomp (try not to dance to this), has there ever been a more irresistible come-on than "Shock me like an electric eel?" I feel like that would work on a nun. — P.S.  

 

39. The Ramones, "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" (1976)   

The Ramones wanted to do many things: sniff glue, be sedated, get shock treatment. But they found time between those cartoonishly punk activities for a sweetly yearning ode to puppy-dog love. If you're not at least a little moved by Joey Ramone's request, you must have a heart (and loins) of stone. — A.H.  

 

38. Aaliyah, "Are You That Somebody" (1998)

Aaliyah's smooth-as-silk breathy whisper-singing and Timbaland's sexy beats keep this song firmly in the sexy pantheon. It's sexy because it reminds us of our secret adolescent sexual feelings; of the smell of Old Spice and hairspray, and not quite understanding how sex works, but knowing that it was sort of like slow dancing but nakeder and that we wanted it. Immediately. — A.M.   

 

37. The Strokes, "12:51" (2003)

From a band big on snottiness and regret, here's a veritable anthem of easygoing availability. Julian Casablancas' schedule is wide open, as long as you're the one who's asking. And as far as louche pickup lines go, there's no better verse than "We could go and get 40s / Fuck going to that party / Oh really, your folks are away now? / All right, let's go, you convinced me." — P.S.   

 

36. The Cars, "You're All I've Got Tonight" (1979)

Like most Cars songs, what appears to be a promise of devotion is actually a lot nastier and more sadomasochistic. I mean, "You're All I've Got Tonight" — uh, thanks? "I don't care if you hurt me some more?" Okay, fine, but sex can be nasty, right? And the drum and guitar sound in this track makes nastiness sound pretty good. — P.S.    

 

35. Heart, "Crazy on You" (1976)

Propulsive acoustic strumming, that titanic chorus riff, and — most of all — Ann Wilson's monster vocals combine to one hell of an ode to a night of passion. — D.B.     

 

34. Beck, "Sexx Laws" (1999)

Beck's come-ons get almost dadaist here; formally, phonetically, the lyrics to "Sexx Laws" suggest a raunchier "I Am The Walrus." That's a good thing, and the chorus brings it home: "I want to defy the logic of all sex laws / Let the handcuffs slip off your wrists." Well, okay. — P.S.   

 

33. Roxy Music, "Love is the Drug" (1975)

"Love is the Drug" is a slice of some of the finest white-boy funk from across the pond. Add Bryan Ferry's martini-dry vocal ("I say 'go,' she say 'yes' / dim the lights, you can guess the rest"), and by the time that cascading chorus hits, it's hard to not feel a bit... bothered. — A.H.  

 

32. Teddy Pendergrass, "Close the Door" (1978)

 

An earlier draft of this list was composed entirely of Teddy Pendergrass songs. This song makes it easy to understand why. — D.B.  

 

31. The Cure, "Let's Go to Bed" (1982)

The Cure isn't most people's idea of a "sexy" band, but this song is a nearly pitch-perfect imitation of sexy, creeping disco. And though Robert Smith's yowl is hardly an instrument of seduction, the line "You think you're tired now / but wait until three" has enough manliness to it to make me quiver girlishly. — A.H.