Erotic Playlist

The Erotic Playlists

What is the basis of pleasure? Is it not the satisfaction of expectation? Music has neurological ties to a couple parts of the human brain, one of which is the pleasure center. The pleasure center is stimulated by pleasant foods, smells, and of course sexual arousal. What is it then about music that triggers the same response in one’s brain, as would a passionate kiss (let’s try and keep this PG) from the love of one’s life?

There are three kinds of music for any given person. That is unsatisfactory, satisfactory, and pleasurable. One can walk away simply satisfied from mediocrity, but the purest form of pleasure can be attained only when all expectations have been surpassed. Pleasure is greatest when expectations have been transcended. Pleasure is most awesome when the experience has been heightened beyond the limits of the imagination. In other words, pleasure draws one away from oneself and into something indescribably greater.

There is something so erotic about music. The music begins dynamically either in soft foreplay or comes in full force and passion. The music builds, and it builds, and it builds. Then comes the bridge where everything is exposed. The heart and soul are vulnerably bare in the climax. And lo, there is resolution.

SECULAR-
This is a short playlist of secular songs that have drawn me away from myself in the experience of listening to them. These songs have more than satisfied my expectations, and in a crude sense have brought me into some sort of auditory ecstasy (i.e. orgasm).
*
Fake Palindromes- Andrew Bird
The Funeral- Band of Horses
Transatlanticism- Death Cab for Cutie
Cold Desert- Kings of Leon
This is Twice Now- Lydia
Chasing Cars- Snow Patrol
House of Regret- Wild Sweet Orange

WORSHIP-
Are we created to seek pleasure though? What of the Biblical warnings of pursuing the passions and lusts of our youth? What of Paul’s exhortations to lay dead the flesh and to resurrect the spirit? The world has definitely skewed what it means to find pleasure. I suggest, though, that our greatest pleasure is found in God. This is not to be confused with comfort or ease. I suggest that the martyr’s greatest pleasure came from the fellowship with Christ in the midst of their brutal sufferings. In the same way, I suggest that the modern church has tricked itself into finding menial satisfaction, not pleasure, in making much of itself rather than finding immense pleasure in making much of Christ.

I spent most of last semester having my heart torn apart and being put back together by my Heavenly Father. I came to the stark realization that my Heavenly Father is also my Heavenly Groom, and I His bride. This entails a calling to intimate fellowship with Him. The most erotic and intimate times that I have experienced with God have been in times of praise and worship. Obviously worship is more than singing songs to God. It is a renewal of your mind and submission of your body to the pleasing and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). One way that this is done, however, is in song. Worship should be the place that we realize that we were made, not to be greatness, but to know greatness.

If music is such a powerful tool, then it makes sense that we sing to God in praise and worship. How much more transcendent must this experience be though? Is it not much more valuable to sing to God than it is to entertain yourself with music? If I can lose myself in music by Death Cab, then should I not lose myself infinitely more in the midst of the God who created me and redeemed me? How intimately erotic, transcendent, and passionate should this experience be, to submit ourselves to our groom who is capable of immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine?

These are songs that have utterly wrecked my life. Not so much because of the music, but because of the presence of my God and my Groom. These are more than chords, rhythms, and lyrics. These are more than dynamics, builds, and sustains. They are intimate discourses and proclamations to a Holy, Holy, Holy God. They have caused me to realize that I am in the presence of passionate divinity. They are erotic interactions with my closest and most divine lover.
*
Our God- Chris Tomlin
Our God Reigns- Chris Tomlin
Meteor Shower- Owl City
Cannons- Phil Wickham
You’re Beautiful- Phil Wickham
Heaven and Earth- Phil Wickham
Divine Romance- Phil Wickham
Beautiful, Scandalous Night- Robbie Seay Band
Yearn- Shane and Shane

* All playlists are arranged alphabetically by name of artist, and then by album. I encourage everyone to try and listen to these songs. If I find out how to load them, then I will surely do it.