This Monday morning, we celebrate the sexiest male soul singers of all time, from Smokey Robinson to Usher.
We’re starting off right with R&B, soul and pop idol Sam Cooke, whose luscious vocals make you want to “bring it on home” to your man. Cooke’s voice is silky smooth and sexy, no wonder “You Send Me” was such a big hit.
Maxwell’s sweet vibrato had us screaming for sexy-tinged songs like “…Til The Cops Come Knockin’” before his lengthy hiatus from music and now that he’s back we’re screaming louder than ever. Plus, that man can wear a suit!
Teddy Pendergrass’s long song game was airtight and his voice intoxicating. Pendergrass instructed us to “Turn out the lights, and light a candle.” Our love is still burning for you, Teddy.
Why do our hips start swinging and our clothes start falling off every time we hear “When Doves Cry.” Prince is Billboard Hot 100 Chart’s 16th best artist. We’d like him to play us like he plays that guitar. Prince, we “Wanna Be Your Lover.”
Ray Charles puts the soul in music. And who could contest this R&B singer, pianist’s swag. Charles reminded us that “The Night Time Is the Right Time” and we’ve all done the “Mess Around” to the sounds of Ray.
While there are a few sexy-as-hell hits in D’Angelo’s repertoire, we’re only going to reference one tune — “How Does It Feel.” We are still catching our breaths from that song and the almost NSFW (Not Safe for Work) video that accompanied it.
If Motown icon Marvin Gaye hasn’t made it into your bedroom, you’ve got some work to do. Gaye’s music was so hot, it event turned him on. We could all use a little “Sexual Healing” every now and then.
At the last two ESSENCE Music Festivals, the ladies screamed for “Charlie, Last Name Wilson.” He’s got more swagger and sex appeal than we know what to do with.
“Hello,” Lionel Richie. We sure hope it’s us you’re looking for. Richie inspired us to go “All Night Long.” His duet with Diana Ross, “Endless Love” is the Billboard Hot 100 Chart’s 5th best R&B song of all time. With "Say You, Say Me’ coming in at number 12 and “All Night Long” at 13. Richie is one of the best.
An originator of the Motown sound, Smokey Robinson’s 1976 hit single “Quiet Storm” inspired countless radio stations to incorporate a slow jam session in their late night line ups. Now that’s sexy!
When it comes to modern R&B songs about sex, R. Kelly may have them all beat. Shall we name a few, “Sex Me,” “Bump N Grind,” “Your Body’s Callin’,” “Satisfy You.” We’ll stop now — he is a musical genius.
Funk and R&B vet Jeffrey Osborne has had us all flying “On the Wings of Love” in our lives. His sexy tunes like “We’re Going All The Way,” and “Stay With Me Tonight” are the perfect addition to your sexy slow jam playlist.
James Ingram has worked with the best in the business as a song writer. He co-wrote “PTY” with Michael Jackson. Ingram also told our men to “Find One Hundred Ways” to love us. Thanks, we owe you one.
Frankie Beverly keeps getting sexier with age — the mole on his right cheek and those deep dimples make all the ladies swoon when he and his band Maze, perform “Before I Let Go.”
When Usher’s “Confessions” album dropped we all “Got it Bad” for Mr. Raymond. The singer/dancer’s “You Make Me Wanna…” is Billboard’s 45th most successful R&B song, with “Yeah!” coming in at number four. Usher, we like it when you do it “your way.”
Soul musician Donny Hathaway wasn’t afraid to tell you, “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’.” He was also the first to say, “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know.” Now that is real sexy music.
If Barry White is the iconic bass, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is the ultimate tenor. Aside from penning hit songs like “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men, Babyface has inspired “the lover” in all of us, with hits like “For the Cool in You” and “Someone to Love.”
