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Available in a range of sizes and flavoured, coloured and textured for your pleasure! Condoms are an essential part of a healthy sex life! They remain the only form of contraception that reduces the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. They weren’t always so fancy though!

Just The Tip

While modern condoms are stocked in a range of sizes, there was a period of time when doctors were responsible for measuring and ordering custom fits! These made-to-measure prophylactics were ‘glans only’ but didn’t offer complete protection and had a tendency to fall off during use. Some earlier records indicate glans condoms were used in Japan and Italy too but they faced the same issues.

Sick Sea Men

In 1494, thriving naval fleets and nautical trade routes contributed to an international outbreak of STIs, namely, syphilis. The symptomatic pustules contributed to the deaths of many people across Europe and by 1505, large parts of Asia. Doctors and physicians across the world began an effort to popularise the use of condoms to reduce the risk of transmission. This led to efforts to make condoms more affordable. Since they were hand-crafted at the time, condoms were largely reserved for the upper classes due to the cost. 

Rubbers Weren’t Always Made Of Rubber

Before the mid-1800s, condoms were made from a range of materials and their comfort level varied too. 14th century England they were made of animal tissue, sometimes the bladder or intestines. While it seems bizarre now, gloves had been made out of treated intestines since the 1200s.

In Japan, condoms were made of tortoise shells or animal horns; talk about being horny! The Dutch began trading in condoms made of “fine leather” and the Italians experimented with linen condoms that were secured with a ribbon. If you could afford the luxury (and didn’t mind the sticky texture), some were even lined with velvet or silk!

While rubber condoms were first developed in 1855, they still had a lengthwise seam and were about 2mm thick. It wasn’t until 1912 that Julius Fromm dipped a glass bulb into liquid rubber to create the seamless design we all recognise today! Fromm also created condom vending machines!

Like many things, condoms have gone through countless iterations. From bulky linen and animal horn to the seamless, lightweight and sometimes flavoured versions available from corner stores and sexual health clinics today. The development of the modern condom has been essential in helping humanity make the most of their time between the sheets.

Sex and songs go so well together! So many songs are about sex and a good playlist can really enhance a night between the sheets! With a mix of genres, eras and artists, feel free to take some inspiration from my sex playlist favourites!

Slide by H.E.R. is a laidback R&B jam with a feature from American rapper YG. It may not be the accompaniment to a ‘grand finale’ moment, but it is an excellent ‘taking your time’ vibe. With the atmosphere from the rhythmic synth and H.E.R.’s gentle, soulful vocals, this piece is definitely worth listening to.

H.E.R. is an African American singer, songwriter and composer who has won several awards for her music. She creates a beautiful blend of R&B, hip-hop and soul. Slide was released in 2019 and has been nominated for a range of awards. It also won a BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award in 2021. 

The introduction of Slide is YG describing H.E.R. and sets the scene for an empowered female figure to be the main character of this piece. H.E.R. sings the majority of the song and describes hanging out with a gentleman in a fancy car. The lyrics suggest treating yourself and living the highlife but without worrying about what others might say. The question repeated throughout, “when we goin’ slide?” suggests that she wants to spend more time with her companion and is interested in seeing where things go. It’s curious, playful and definitely sultry, and brings those qualities to life with the catchy melody and beat.

The featured verse from YG is one of my favourite rap features since it complements and balances H.E.R.s vocals & style so well. It opens with “I need a bae-cation” which is just adorable. ‘Bitch’ can be positive or negative but the next line always makes me giggle; “I need my bitch in an apron, booty all out cookin’ bacon.” It’s cute, suggestive and helps remind listeners to have some genuine fun even when things are getting steamy.

There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to what songs should be in your sex playlist. What really matters is how it makes you feel; sexy, confident, seductive or just straight-up horny! If you feel like trying out a few songs with someone, check out the babes available here!

A little ambience can go a long way in setting the mood and jazz is rich with culture and intimacy. Jazz is often performed as a conversation between musicians, highlighting their own styles and blending together to create unique sounds. That give-and-take can be great at building tension and works well in the bedroom.

Fever by Peggy Lee

Fever is a minimalistic piece that showcases a simple bassline and her heartfelt lyrics. There is a bounce to the rhythm and the simplicity of its composition is understatedly sincere. This piece would be the perfect warm-up as you move from dinner to the bedroom.

Take Five by Dave Drubeck

Take Five is a warm & upbeat piece with a saxophone leading over a repeated piano riff. If you aren’t familiar with music, you might not catch what it is that makes Take Five feel so jaunty and alive. Most songs have a 4-beat time signature (4/4) and counting to 4 aligns with the lyrics/chords of most pop songs. However, the clue for Take Five is in the name; its time signature is 5/4. Let Dave Drubeck’s charmingly unusual piece set the scene for your romantic evening.

You Do Something To Me by Laura Fygi

Laura Fygi’s sultry voice tells the story of her lover’s unparalleled powers of seduction. The light backing instruments pick up in the middle of the song and feature a meandering trumpet solo. Then Fygi’s vocals take the spotlight again. You Do Something To Me is a gorgeous piece perfect for when you want to remind your lover just how special they are.

These songs are by no means representative of all that Jazz has to offer; it’s an incredibly diverse genre so if these didn’t tickle your fancy, there’s plenty more! The conversation between musicians within each piece and the soft seduction of jazz vocalists can be a great addition to your romantic evening playlist.