Good Question: Why Do We Prefer Sex In Music?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When it comes to music we all have different tastes. From rock to country -- no iPod is the same.
But a new study said there is one area everyone can identify with in music -- songs dealing with sex. The study found all of America's favorite songs are about sex. So why do we prefer sex in music?
The study found there was an average of 10 sex-related phrases per song, in the most popular songs.
It's something we're used to and is part of our culture. Whether it's the hits from decades past or the songs of today, sex and music just seem to sell.
"They usually have a good beat, good rhythm good to dance too," said one music lover.
The combination is so successful, a recent study found nearly 92 percent of the 174 songs on the Billboard Top 10 in 2009 had references to sex.
"For a culture driven by immediate gratification a song about sex and booze and getting high is timely I guess," said singer/songwriter Dessa.
Dessa knows the music industry well, having just released her latest album on Tuesday.
For her, sex is a part of music.
"I think (there's) a lot about sex that does come to writers. It's universal and it's a really compelling part of the human experience," she said.
"That's a really important part of people's lives, I mean they put a lot of emphasis on that," said Minnesota resident, Rebekah West.
But each artist interprets it differently. Dessa's work talks about relationships.
"I've tried to write songs about sex and they sounded gross," said Dessa.
It is the music that tops the charts, but the listeners aren't always picking up on the lyrics. Sometimes it's the beat rather than the words that sell the song.
"When you take the time to actually listen to the lyrics do think, 'Oh that's what I'm singing about?'" asked WCCO reporter Rachel Slavik.
"Definitely then I'm appalled at myself," laughed another Minnesota woman.
Often times our musical preferences tend to develop in our teens and when we're young adults. Artists know their target audience and they know that age group is thinking about sex.
It may just seem like there are a lot more songs about sex because those artists are much more explicit with their lyrics.
