The Top 10 Songs To Make Out To

By Elizabeth Weitz

Before I begin let me preface this by saying that this list is comprised solely of the songs that I made out to. I could have titled this piece: “The Top 10 Songs That I Sucked Face To Back When That Sort Of Thing Was Still Kinda Hot” but who really wants to read about a 40 year old’s titular pre-full-on-sexual history through a list of songs.

Probably about five people right?

So, I kinda fudged the title a bit and hope that this completely subjective grouping of songs that, when played in the background, will lead to a furious bout of slobber-swapping and dry humping for you. And, if it doesn’t, well, at least the memory of my awkward tongue kissing will forever be embedded into your noggin (sorry about that).

Let’s begin.

10. Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – Endless Love (1981)

Has there ever been a more cheesy, glorious, teenage-appropriate song that epitomizes the need to connect to another hormone-filled body than this one?

9. The Bangles – In Your Room (1988)

The song may be upbeat, but the sentiment in it made for some sweet, fast making out in my room (with the door open) while my mother periodically checked in to make sure I wasn’t doing what I was actually doing.

8. Spandau Ballet – True (1983)

I had a crush of the Kemp brothers, making out to this song was my way of making out with them.

7. Cyndi Lauper – I Drove All Night (1989) and She Bop (1983)

One is about a woman being in control of her sexuality and the other is about masturbation…in my youth these went hand in hand (so to speak)

6. R. Kelly – Bump N’ Grind (1994)

I was 20 when this came out…my desires became less subtle at this age.

5. The Cure – Love Cats (1983)

Most of my teenage years were spent wearing black, listening to a lot of college radio and dreaming of being a writer. When I was finally able to talk someone into making out with me, this song was usually on in the background.

4. Peter Gabriel – Don’t Give Up (ft. Kate Bush) (1987)

I bet you thought I would have chosen In Your Eyes (which would have been an excellent choice had I been less of a “depressed youth”) but a song about a man in despair and a woman offering up words of hope appealed to my sense of social isolation, and, let’s face it, the guys I tended to suck face with were the sort that kind of fit the whole “dark and dreary” stereotype.

3. Sade – Your Love is King (1984)

I’m sorry, Sade was, is and always will be the queen of soulful make out music…and, she still works to this day (I just tried it to make sure).

2. Bell Biv Devoe – Do Me! (1990)

Sure Poison might have been their better song, but when it came to establishing your intentions for an evening spent in the backseat of a car, I don’t think you could have found a more blunt melody.

1. Berlin – Take My Breath Away

(1986)

A cliched choice? You betcha. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worthy of being THE #1 make out song for an entire generation of people. In fact, ask someone in their late 30s/early 40s what song epitomizes the intangible feeling of a first kiss and it is Take My Breath Away…god I miss first kisses.