20. Nine Inch Nails, "Closer" (1994)

“Closer” is the perfect soundtrack for any lovers looking to spend a steamy evening in an abandoned industrial yard. Guttural electro throbbing and uncomfortably frank come-ons like “I want to feel you from the inside” get the pancake makeup & mesh crowd in the mood, but you hardly need black fingernails to fall prey to Trent Reznor’s barely contained animalistic lust. Sometimes, you just want things to be a little more primal. — J.P.   

 

19. The Four Tops, "Baby I Need Your Loving" (1964)

One of those perfectly engineered Motown hits, "Baby I Need Your Loving" is, simply put, an incredible pop song that expresses a very old feeling. Levi Stubbs makes you feel the "need" part of the title, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra swoons along with the listener. — A.H.   

 

18. Duran Duran, "Hungry Like The Wolf" (1982)

A deservedly colossal hit, "Hungry Like The Wolf" captures everything fun about early-'80s aesthetics. The next wedding you go to, when this comes on (and it will), we suggest you grab that bridesmaid/groomsman you've been eyeing and make a break for the dance floor, followed in short order by the hotel. — P.S.  

 

17. Beach Boys, "Help Me Rhonda" (1965)

The Beach Boys always infused their boyish songs with adult themes — at its heart, "Help Me Rhonda" is a guy begging for some rebound sex. Not exactly squeaky-clean. But it's hard to say no to those harmonies. — A.H.  

 

16. Etta James, "I Just Want to Make Love to You" (1961)

Lots of people sing this song, but Ms. James' version is our favorite because, well, that voice. Her untamed growl, full of naughtiness and shameless wanting, lets you know that she's going to get exactly what she wants. And what she wants is you. — A.M.  

 

15. Queen, "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" (1976)

Freddie Mercury can talk me into a "tango just for two" any day of the week — I'd like to meet the person that that this vaudevillian appeal wouldn't work on. Come on, sit on my hot seat of love. — D.B.     

 

14. R. Kelly, "Ignition (Remix)" (2003)

"Take my key and stick it in the ignition" is quite possibly the least sexy thing you could say, but this song would totally get a person into bed because it's fucking hilarious, and funny means smart, and smart means sexy. This song is clinically proven to make a roomful people roll their bodies at the drop of a beat, which, as we all know, is the first step towards the hotel room. And then, of course, the hotel lobby. — A. M.   

 

13. Sam Cooke, "Wonderful World" (1960)

Lest we worry too much about his academic prowess, Sam assures that that he's versed in the most important math of all, stating, “I do know one and one is two.” And at the end of the day, I’m not going to be too critical of his intellect because, ultimately, I don’t really care what he’s saying so long as he’s singing. — C.D.   

 

12. Bob Marley, "Stir It Up" (1973)

Bob Marley wears a lot of hats, metaphorically and literally: rebel, weed advocate, frat-house pinup, just to name a few. But one that he doesn't get enough credit for is Jamaican Marvin Gaye. Everything about this song is sexy — if you can't get laid with this, you're beyond everyone's help. — A.H.    

 

11. Roberta Flack, "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1974)

A quietly smoldering song about the little moments when you get that feeling. You don't know when they're going to strike, but Roberta Flack knows just how powerful they can be, and she lets us feel it. — D.B.