Baby Makin’ Music

Let's talk about makin' babies.

Because, you know, a lot of that goes on in the books I write. Lovers are gonna love; and considering that birth control in early nineteenth century England consisted primarily of a weird contraption called the French Letter (more on that gem later) and not much else, that love often resulted in – you guessed it – bunches and bunches of babies.

But I digress. While makin' babies is certainly an interesting topic (one for, er, another day, perhaps?), this post is about the music that inspired said baby makin'. Specifically, what I've been listening to as I draft book #2 in the HOPE DIAMOND series, tentatively titled THE HOPE DIAMOND AFFAIR. There's a good bit of lovin' in this one, folks, and nothing inspires a good love scene like a super sexy song.

Let's back it up a bit. I'm inspired by a little bit of everything – fashion, food, Henry Cavill, books, movies, travel – but nothing makes my muse sing quite like music. I tend to compile a soundtrack for each manuscript as I write; songs that are on repeat for the few months I'm feverishly working on completing a draft. Usually I can't listen to music as I write – Lady GaGa's poker face tends to get in the way when I'm searching for the right word – but I do when I draft an especially emotional or pivotal scene; it somehow sets the tone, and keeps me focused on what my characters are feeling, and how those feelings drive the action in the scene.

THE HOPE DIAMOND AFFAIR, book #2 of the trilogy, is no exception. I've been working on the manuscript over the past few months, and have a little over 10,000 words to go before I complete the first draft. As I've worked, I've compiled a pretty bangin' soundtrack of some stellar artists. This is baby makin' music at its best, my friends. Without further ado, here's who I'm listening to – these guys (and gals) should give you a good idea of what a fun, sexy read book #2 is shaping up to be!

THE WEEKND, Kiss Land

Don't listen to this with your parents

I discovered The Weeknd a few years ago, when I heard his song “High for This” on the preview for the last season of ENTOURAGE. His new album, released this week, is maybe the sexiest music I've ever heard, period. As a reviewer on iTunes said, “this album will be responsible for many pregnancies.” Including those that may or may not occur in my books.
TOP SONG PICKS: “Professional”, “Live For”, “Pretty”
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “The only thing you're takin / Is your clothes off / Go ahead girl strip it down / Close your mouth / I just wanna hear your body talk”. Yikes.

MIGUEL, Kaldeidoscope Dream

Miguel you are my muse

I first saw Miguel perform on the Grammys. I distinctly remember thinking, “Who the HELL is that, and how do I get his music?” His songs are dark, edgy, and crazy smart – not to mention Sexy with a capital S. My iTunes tells me I've played his song “Use Me” 127 times since I bought it a month ago. It's THAT good. Trust.
TOP SONG PICKS: “Adorn”, “Use Me”, “Arch & Point”
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “Salacious salty and sweet / I'm overwhelmed by tasty thoughts of you.” Good God.

JOHN MAYER FEAT. KATY PERRY, “Who You Love”

While this song isn't quite as inappropriate or sexy as those on the albums above, it really captures the central theme of THE HOPE DIAMOND AFFAIR – falling in love unwillingly, wholly, and inconveniently, with someone who is very much the opposite of who or what you thought you wanted; the kind of love that hopelessly complicates one's well-laid plans. You love, as John Mayer croons, who you love.
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “You can't make yourself stop dreaming who you're dreaming of / If it's who you love / Then it's who you love.” Amen.

DRAKE FEAT. MAJID JORDAN, “Hold On, We're Going Home”

Tired of doing these things alone…

My sister will tell you I had this song, along with Drake's infectious “Started from the Bottom”, on repeat for the past two weeks. Drake is totally maj and I may or may not have an enormous fangirl crush on him, his soap opera past notwithstanding. I love to imagine my hero, a banking tycoon named Mr. Thomas Hope, whispering into my heroine's ear, “Just hold on, we're going home”, before ravishing her thoroughly in each and every room of said home.
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “I can't get over you / You left your mark on me / I want your hot love and emotion endlessly.” Drake, call me. I'll treat you better than RiRi, promise.

THE CIVIL WARS, The Civil Wars

Moody

I fell in love with the Civil Wars after listening to their song “Poison and Wine” on repeat for about a month straight as I drafted THE GENTLEMAN JEWEL THIEF. I'd describe them as a cross between Mumford & Sons and Alison Krauss, though that hardly does The Civil Wars justice. Think easy listening on the porch with a glass of wine. I have yet to find more perfect music to which write an uber romantic, uber heart-wrenching scene.
TOP SONG PICKS: “Poison and Wine”, “Dust to Dust”, “The One That Got Away”
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “I never meant to get us in this deep / I never meant this to mean a thing / I wish you were the one that got away.” That hurts, man.

BRUNO MARS, Gorilla

Check out this awesomely fuzzy pic I took at Bruno's concert

Enough said. I saw Bruno in concert with my mom a few weeks back, and let it be said, the man is crazy talented – not to mention the biggest sexpot in the tiniest body I've ever seen. EVER.
BEST BABY MAKIN' LYRIC: “I got a fistful of your hair / But you don't look like you're scared / You just smile and tell me daddy it's yours / You know how I like it / You're a dirty little lova.” Good LAWD Bruno!

That about sums it up. Any favorite baby makin' music you'd like to share? Don't be shy, we all have our vices!