So I’ll hit the lights and you lock the doors. We ain’t leaving this room ’til we both feel more. Don’t walk away, don’t roll your eyes. They say love is pain, well darling, let’s hurt tonight.

_{– “Let’s Hurt Tonight,” OneRepublic}

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When I’m in writing mode, I have a carefully curated playlist I listen to. Nothing too energetic, nothing too beat-heavy, nothing too distracting. But every single song has some sexual electricity woven into it. It occurred to me that I could share some of my songs that get me into a positive frame of mind for writing and reinforce my submissive headspace. (Plus, I’d love to hear some of your suggestions in the comments!)

I’ve always enjoyed identifying supposedly “vanilla” songs and teasing out D/s subtext in the lyrics. Granted, I enjoy overt sexuality in songs, too. “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails, anyone? 🥵 But the Submissive Song segment is all about the subtleties…and alliteration, evidently. It’s about finding the songs that resonate with our inner kinksters, even when this might not have been the songwriter’s original intention. For this week’s Submissive Song Sunday, I present to you “Let’s Hurt Tonight” by OneRepublic.

On the surface, it’s the story of a couple that’s struggling to communicate, struggling to connect. They’re exhausted, they’re upset, they’re defensive. The man proposes confronting their challenges by shutting themselves away from the rest of the world and breaking through the stalemate they’re in.

Buuuut, as I’m sure my fellow kinkyfolk will acknowledge after a quick scan of those lyrics above, there is something delectably D/s-charged about this exchange. It’s no longer just a plea to do the emotional heavy-lifting that has to occur; it’s an invitation to sink their teeth into the moment and share the catharsis of a pain session.

They say love is pain, well darling, let’s hurt tonight.

Yes, please…