Your favourite songs might be doing more than just setting the mood—they could be scientifically increasing your sexual desire. And if that sounds a little wild, well, it’s true.
According to a Reboot study, more than half of people (55%) say music enhances their sexual experiences, while a cheeky 18% of men even believe it extends their performance.
But how exactly does music pull this off?
What secret ingredient turns a playlist into more than just background noise in the bedroom?
We dove deep into the data (not too deep, don’t worry) to uncover the science behind it all.
It’s all about rhythm, pitch, and the saucy stuff those lyrics are whispering.
After analysing 750 songs, the experts at Reboot ranked the top 10 tracks that scientifically turn up the heat.
We’ve got the lowdown on which songs will send your libido soaring. But don’t just take our word for it—let’s break it down with quotes from actual experts.
The Top 10 Most Arousing Songs (Ranked by Science, Not Opinion)
Not all songs are created equal when it comes to getting people in the mood.
Some tracks have the perfect combination of tempo, pitch, and seductive keywords that trigger physiological responses.
Let’s break down the playlist that science says will do wonders for your libido.
| # | Song Title | Artist | Tempo (BPM) | Avg. Pitch | Intensity | Keywords | Subjectivity | Libido Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOT TO GO! | Chappell Roan | 140.6 | 2956 | 0.23 | clap, body, touch, hot | 0.85 |
|
| 2 | Good Feeling | Flo Rida | 127.8 | 2974 | 0.25 | let, oh, good, yeah | 0.51 |
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| 3 | Lady, Touch Yourself | Nikki Idol | 170.5 | 2907 | 0.18 | baby, scream, lady, touch | 0.52 |
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| 4 | Set My Heart On Fire | Céline Dion | 119.7 | 2972 | 0.24 | begun, feel, breathe | 0.51 |
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| 5 | Play | David Banner | 95.3 | 2237 | 0.28 | wet, pussy, come, work | 0.42 |
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| 6 | Bad Girl | Usher | 175.8 | 3001 | 0.15 | baby, need, girl, bad | 0.63 |
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| 7 | All My People | Sasha Lopez | 127.8 | 2772 | 0.25 | need, hey, touch, make | 0.60 |
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| 8 | Kiss It Better | Rihanna | 95.3 | 3096 | 0.23 | like, baby, night, kiss | 0.31 |
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| 9 | Speak of the Devil | Black Pistol Fire | 194.0 | 2435 | 0.27 | sweet, darling, just, won | 0.57 |
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| 10 | Von Dutch | Charli XCX | 130.8 | 2541 | 0.27 | classic, life, obvious, number | 0.64 |
|
*Tempo: Beats per minute. Faster = more excitement. Slower = take it slow.
*Average Pitch: Higher pitch = playful. Lower pitch = deep vibes.
*Intensity: How loud? The louder it is, the more tension it builds.
*Keywords: Obvious ones—hot, touch, wet.
*Subjectivity: Emotionally charged lyrics make all the difference.
“HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan: Your New Go-To Song for Sexy Time
Taking the top spot with a libido score of 65/100 is Chappell Roan’s HOT TO GO!.
This song’s tempo of 140.6 BPM is, according to Jordan Dixon, a clinical sex and relationship psychotherapist, ideal for building excitement:
“Fast tempos push your arousal state to align with your body’s natural response system,” Dixon says.
With emotionally charged lyrics like “clap,” “body,” and “touch,” it’s no surprise that this song triggers such a high arousal response.
And with one of the highest subjectivity scores on the list (0.85), it’s no wonder this track is still blazing hot.
Want to know more about why this song continues to set the mood? Check out more about Chappell Roan’s track a year later here.
The Science Backs It: Why Music and Sex Are a Match Made in Heaven
So why does music act as an aphrodisiac?
The answer lies deep in your brain. Morten Kringelbach, a professor of neuroscience at Oxford University, explains that music stimulates the brain’s pleasure-seeking circuits in a way similar to sex.
“Music triggers dopamine release in the brain, much like sex does,” says Kringelbach.
This dopamine release activates the brain’s pleasure centres, boosting mood, arousal, and focus.
And it’s not just about the lyrics or rhythm. The pitch of the song also plays a key role in arousal.
High-pitched songs create an energising, playful atmosphere, while lower-pitched tunes tap into deeper emotions.
For instance, Rihanna’s sultry ballad Kiss It Better may have a relaxed tempo of 95.3 BPM, but with an average pitch of 3096 Hz, it keeps listeners engaged and stimulated.
Expert Opinions: How It All Works
Gemma Nice, a sex and relationship coach, sheds light on how music enhances intimacy:
“Music engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which releases calming hormones like oxytocin and serotonin. These make us feel more connected to our partner, allowing for heightened sensations.”
She adds that listening to music during sex syncs your heart rate and breathing with the beat, intensifying arousal.
Nazanin Moali, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist, explains further:
“When we hear sexual-sounding music—whispers, moans, or rhythmic beats—our brains interpret these as arousal cues, activating the same neural pathways used during sexual stimulation.”
Essentially, music gives your brain the green light for things to heat up.
The Undeniable Link Between Sound and Sex
So, next time you’re setting the mood, remember that your playlist is more than just background noise—it’s actively working its magic.
From fast-paced beats that increase excitement to slower rhythms that make you savour every moment, music’s effect on sexual arousal is very real.
It’s not just about the sound either; it’s about how music makes you feel.
As Gemma Nice explains, “When you add different types of music to intimate moments, you align your movements and energy with the rhythm. This can lead to deeper penetration, more intense orgasms, and a heightened overall experience.”
And if you’re a fan of Charli XCX, don’t miss the deep dive into her track Von Dutch, which rounds off our top 10 with a libido score of 61.9. Get all the details here.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re swaying to Usher’s Bad Girl or rocking out to Black Pistol Fire’s Speak of the Devil, it’s clear that music does more than just fill the silence in the background.
It’s the soundtrack to your arousal. Now, hit play. Your playlist has work to do.