Oyster Playlist: Beaches
This playlist is called 'Sexual Awakenings'.
Melbourne band Beaches made us a playlist that's all about that thing, sending it to us with the accompanying text: "We Beaches invite you to enjoy our selection of songs that have, at various points in our lives, conjured some sort of sexual awakening."
The all-woman five-piece shoegaze/psych band make songs that make you think of summer sun and good times. Beaches have been busy with local and international tours, since the release of their 2010 EP Eternal Sphere. This playlist covers the girls' romantic history from naive crushes and euphemisms, to the best songs for gettin' down. Ali McCann (guitar/vocals) also told us a little bit about some of the songs.
1. 'SSS Single Bed' — Fox
My Aunty Susie gave me this 7-inch when was about six years old. (Just to be clear, I wasn't six years old in 1976.) I played it incessantly on my portable turntable, as it was the only record I owned. Susie also taught me how to roller-skate backwards. I'm not sure whether or not I picked up on the sexy vibes as a six-year-old. But it's a pretty sexy song, even though it remains unclear whether or not the two of them actually had sex in the single bed or whether she just made him walk home, as he missed the last train. "P-p-p-pour
/Out your wine
/And we could explore
/Each others minds" — that's sexy. Noosha Fox was born in Australia. Her real name is Susan Traynor. I have no idea why she would want to change a name like that. - Ali McCann
2. 'She's Lost Control' — Joy Division
I was obsessed with Joy Division when I was high school, quietly checkin' out the fellas. This was wild and moody. I was smitten. - Alison Bolger
3. 'Addicted to Love' — Ciccone Youth
I got to thinking about Madonnas' 'Burning Up'. What was it that made a grown lady writhe around in the middle of the street like that? She needed something, and it was pretty painful? Weird, confusing, fascinating. Years later there was Ciccone Youth's version — restrained, measured, muted. I was no longer confused by the concept at that point. Anyway, then there was Kim's cover of 'Addicted to Love'. Robert Palmer flanked by his slick, red-lipped band of ladies made it dangerous and intriguing. Kim doing karaoke. Deadpan sass. Tank top and cut-offs, sans lipstick. Made a whole lotta sense to me. - Karla Way
4. 'Dream Baby Dream' — Black Tambourine (cover)
A dreamy cover of Suicide's 'Dream Baby Dream'. A repetitive mantra of sorts that builds and swirls around, you get caught up in it and it's all you can think of and you want it to last forever. Maybe that's just romance or a crush or love or something like that — pretty dreamy, pretty sexy all the same. - Karla Way
5. 'Wicked Game' — Chris Isaak
One of the sexiest songs ever written, and with a video to match. I would have been ten or eleven when I first saw this video on Rage. If I didn't know what sex was beforehand I sure as hell did after. I just watched this twice at work today... Damn! Now all I wanna do is go home and make out with my girlfriend! - Gill Tucker
6. 'Candy' — Cameo
!!! - Alison Bolger
7. 'Divine Hammer' — Breeders
When I first heard this song in the early 90s, I doubt I made the connection of what 'One Divine Hammer' really was. Perhaps I thought it was a really special tool covered in diamonds? I don't really know... But in many ways it doesn't matter because the energy of this sublime 'pure-pop' song is what really comes through again and again every listen. - Antonia Sellbach
8. 'Stove' — Eric's Trip
This song was on an infamous mixtape that made it's way from Newcastle down to Hobart in the mid 90s... All my friends had a copy, copied from a copy etc. Sexiest song ever. - Antonia Sellbach
9. 'Animal' — Def Leppard
I was pretty obsessed with Def Leppard in grade six. Although I was yet to have any sensual experiences with boys, I was sure that when I did, I would pop this cassette in the stereo and take it from there. - Ali McCann
10. 'She's a Mystery to Me' — Roy Orbison
One of my best friends showed me this song years ago and it's been killing me softly ever since. I would liken hearing this song for the first time to having an adult sexual awakening: beautiful golden melodies with Roy's vocals slowly poured on like honey. One of his last songs and one of the best... Slow dance the sexy summer night away! - Gill Tucker
Beaches are playing as part of Chapter Music's 20th Birthday celebration at Melbourne Music Week on 17 November.
Lucy Jones
