Music Mondays: "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye (featuring Kimbra)

"Told myself that you were right for me, but felt so lonely in your company. But that was love, and it's an ache I still remember."
--Gotye



The video is really what makes me clasify this song as "sexy." The loving journey of the camera up and down the singers' naked bodies totally works for me. Gotye's a normal-looking dude (not cut like a model or anything), but I found myself really enjoying the sight of him. Leg, chest, stomach, happy trail... We don't have enough images of naked men--there's this mistaken belief that people only want to look at women. (For more on that, see Hugo Schwyzer's excellent essay in Best Sex Writing 2012.)

And, um, Kimbra... I seem to have a bit of a crush.

Also, the song is awesome. Check out the harmonies between the two singers, the neat plucking effect of the background music, and the addictive chorus.

Music Mondays: "Settle Down" by Kimbra

"It's time to bring you down--on just one knee for now. Let's make our vows."
--Kimbra



This song is both sexy and creepy, and I can't stop listening to it. The video is certainly a mix of both, but the song itself is, too. I worried at first about playing it at home because I didn't want my partner to get creeped out by it, or take it as some kind of weird hint.

Sexy factors:
--Kimbra. Seriously. Her voice, her eyes, her hair, her goth tea party dress.
--The song has a strong air of longing.
--The song has a really girlie vibe that wins me over and comes off kind of hot.

Creepy factors:
--The little girls playing dress-up, the mannequin, the dolls on fire. Pretty much everything about the video.
--The lyrics. "On just one knee for now"? Really? When does he go down on two knees, and what gets him there?
--The childhood marriage fantasy this conjures. The disappointed, trapped adult reality it alludes to.

The combination of all of the above makes for a great song. Ladies and gentlemen, I present: Kimbra.