I just want to say that in a world where people often begin a sentence with the unconvincing “I’m not a prude, but,” it’s refreshing to hear someone actually just owning it. I’m happy to be friends with a prude, but I can’t be friends with those people who get triggered by sex but also want you to know that they’re cool. I’m pretty sure you and I are both way past the point where we need to tell people we’re cool. (If someone can’t figure it out on their own, they are a lost cause.)
I'm trying to think of some other songs with sex panting as a rhythmic element, and only coming up with "Tame" off the Pixies' DOOLITTLE. "Whole Lotta Love" of course. But I'm surprised that's all that comes to mind here -- feel like there's a really unique timbre to the sound of breath that more songs could exploit.
I suspect there are more, but the titles don’t always stick in our heads. And yes, I agree with your point about the timbre. (You’re obviously another person who, like me, cares about aesthetics.) I vaguely recall there’s some panting on Tommy James’ “I think we’re alone now,” but I think it’s supposed to be because Tommy was running to get to the place where they’re alone now.
Wait. Has someone already mentioned "Love to Love You Baby?"
I think I'm a prude too. I mean, I like to watch pornstars engaged and also playact as one when possible, but I think I'd say porn that tries to be arty kinda stinks, as does art that tries to be porny.
I'd much rather listen to 16 minutes of Rick Wakeman or someone like that toccataing or fugueing about King Arthur than listen to a woman faking an orgasm over a 4/4 for the same amount of time.
Books are that way, too, and a lot of it is due to how silly the word "cunt" looks on the printed page. Odds are if it has redeeming social importance, you can as a writer safely skip to the part where they're sweaty and exhausted, lying next to each other nekkid.
But if it has no pretensions at all to such, bring it on: that's why I'm there!
Sex is absolutely a legitimate artistic concern! People need to be able to distinguish between “is this done well?” (Usually no) and “is this a legitimate form of art” (usually yes).
Separately, my promise to you (specifically and also in general) is that the many sex scenes in my novel will both titillate and advance the plot and you (in general) will wish they did neither.
I am a prude, and therefore have nothing useful to say, except that the woman on the cover of Love in C Minor appears to have verrucas.
I just want to say that in a world where people often begin a sentence with the unconvincing “I’m not a prude, but,” it’s refreshing to hear someone actually just owning it. I’m happy to be friends with a prude, but I can’t be friends with those people who get triggered by sex but also want you to know that they’re cool. I’m pretty sure you and I are both way past the point where we need to tell people we’re cool. (If someone can’t figure it out on their own, they are a lost cause.)
Glad to hear you say that, Karl.
There's nothing cool about me - and I'm cool with that 😉
I had to look that up.
I'm trying to think of some other songs with sex panting as a rhythmic element, and only coming up with "Tame" off the Pixies' DOOLITTLE. "Whole Lotta Love" of course. But I'm surprised that's all that comes to mind here -- feel like there's a really unique timbre to the sound of breath that more songs could exploit.
I suspect there are more, but the titles don’t always stick in our heads. And yes, I agree with your point about the timbre. (You’re obviously another person who, like me, cares about aesthetics.) I vaguely recall there’s some panting on Tommy James’ “I think we’re alone now,” but I think it’s supposed to be because Tommy was running to get to the place where they’re alone now.
Wait. Has someone already mentioned "Love to Love You Baby?"
I think I'm a prude too. I mean, I like to watch pornstars engaged and also playact as one when possible, but I think I'd say porn that tries to be arty kinda stinks, as does art that tries to be porny.
I'd much rather listen to 16 minutes of Rick Wakeman or someone like that toccataing or fugueing about King Arthur than listen to a woman faking an orgasm over a 4/4 for the same amount of time.
Books are that way, too, and a lot of it is due to how silly the word "cunt" looks on the printed page. Odds are if it has redeeming social importance, you can as a writer safely skip to the part where they're sweaty and exhausted, lying next to each other nekkid.
But if it has no pretensions at all to such, bring it on: that's why I'm there!
Anyway, enjoyed your piece. It was funny.
Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for mentioning Donna Summer.
Also— any position you take is okay with me. On this subject, I mean.
"Customers would form a ring around a clerk, pulling their berets off in an agitated manner and shouting, “do you have zees record?”"
I can imagine the grandparents of these customers must have done the same in the 1920s when the latest "le jazz hot" records arrived from America.
Yes, yes! And I’m glad you brought it up, because it allows me to mention that “le jazz hot” is my favorite phrase.
Sex is absolutely a legitimate artistic concern! People need to be able to distinguish between “is this done well?” (Usually no) and “is this a legitimate form of art” (usually yes).
Separately, my promise to you (specifically and also in general) is that the many sex scenes in my novel will both titillate and advance the plot and you (in general) will wish they did neither.
This all sounds very appealing to me.