Work Out, Make Out: A Late-Night Mix
After a long, hard day at work, you're probably ready to go home and have a relaxing, romantic evening with that special someone. But you know you should hit the gym. If you're running low on time and energy, it might be more efficient to combine what you want to do with what you should do.
Even slow-dancing burns calories and making out burns more, so use this playlist to set the right mood for your perfect night of (virtuous) romance. We don't want you to strike out and have to head right back into the bustle of everyday life, so take your time: Light those candles and pop open that bottle of wine (try doing that on the treadmill), and put on these slow, soft and sexy R&B slow jams. At that point, the workout can last as long as you need it to.
Work Out, Make Out: A Late-Night Mix
Read Your Mind
- Artist: Avant
- Album: Private Room
- Song: Read Your Mind
"Read Your Mind" is a perfect opener to set a romantic mood: Its sweet melody and meaningful words are sure to warm any room. With a telling hook -- "I can read your mind, baby / I know what you're thinking and it's all right" -- it's a perfect tone-setter. At the point in the song where Avant breaks the chorus down and begins to breathe in deeply and exhale strongly, it's hard not to join him. By the end of the song, you'll be reading your lover's mind.
Can U Handle It?
- Artist: Usher
- Album: Confessions
- Song: Can U Handle It?
A smooth and sexy song, this one doesn't take long to answer Usher's question, "Can you handle it if I go there, baby, with you?" A female vocalist promptly replies, "I can handle it. I can go there, baby, with you." Alongside that reminder of shared intentions, a smooth beat and Usher's soft voice are both sure to take things up a notch. You can handle it, of course, but don't forget to take it slow.
Lay Down
- Artist: Floetry
- Album: Flo'Ology
- Song: Lay Down
A perfectly soulful lover's song for a cool summer night, "Lay Down" deftly balances passionate vocals and sweet melodies. Let Floetry be your guide as you drift beyond reality and allow the song to envelop you. Pick your metaphorical pleasure palace on the map -- cloud nine? the top of the world? -- and by the time "Lay Down" is done, you'll have checked in for a lengthy stay.
Slowly
- Artist: Tank
- Album: Force of Nature
- Song: Slowly
By this point, you're already there. The candles have been lit, literally and figuratively. So here's a piano-driven song, complete with insistent background vocals that get straight to the point. Let Tank do the talking, because nothing else needs to be said once the music begins to move you.
Say It
- Artist: Ne-Yo
- Album: Because of You
- Song: Say It
It's tempting to pick a song signifying your workout's satisfying conclusion, but really, why stop at all? "Say It" stays sly and suggestive throughout -- after all, by this point in your workout, it's important to remember that seduction doesn't end once its more primal goals have been met. "Close the door, lay down," Ne-Yo croons. Let the workout carry on.
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