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| Jesus, that was good. |
What I've been thinking about lately, though, are the sounds of sex. The sighs, the wet smack of a woman's arousal, a rasped plea, a lover's moan (is there anything better than the sound of your lover's moan?*), a primitive growl of lust, a passionate whisper or shout of your name**--all these sounds convey sublime feelings and pleasures that are literally unspeakable.
I once had a lover leave me a phone message of his orgasm. (If you are as into sound as I am, do this. Do this at once. God, it would kill me to listen to it even today!) He started off talking me through it, explaining what he was looking at (picture of my boobs, you nosy motherfucker) and how close he was to coming. But the catch in his voice told me how aroused he was much more than what he was saying. He described riding the edge of almost coming, as his voice became raspier and his breathing more ragged. His words grew incoherent, as he went toward, then through his orgasm, completely conveying the experience through sound alone. I could hear (and almost feel) the tension, the inevitability, the blinding orgasm, then the strong aftershocks. It was pretty fucking amazing.
Sex sounds are a whole other language, made of groans and gasps and breath patterns and non-verbal...I don't know...emoting. We might "mmm" a bit over food, or grunt as we hit a tennis ball, but it's nothing like the extended, intricate, primal aural communication we have during sex.
So why do we make these sounds during sex?
The science on the sounds of sex is pretty scant. British primatologist Stuart Semple recorded 550 baboon female "copulation calls"--which is not at all a weird way to spend one's time--analyzed their acoustic structure and found that the calls contained information about what point the female was in her reproductive cycle and the status of her partner. Humans might be subconsciously exchanging similar information. A 2008 study found that women's voices--as judged by impartial listeners--changed during their cycle, becoming "more attractive" during ovulation and "less attractive" during menstruation. (Insert bitchy period joke here.)
A 2011 study found that women often made "copulatory vocalizations" (this is really what they called them) to accompany their partner's orgasm. Why? Politeness and/or trying to get it over with. Reports Salon's Lucy McKeon in A Nation of Moaners:
Sixty-six percent reported making noise to accelerate their partner’s ejaculation. Ninety-two percent believed these vocalizations upped their partner’s self-esteem (87 percent reported vocalizing for this purpose). Other reported reasons included speeding things up, “to relieve discomfort/pain, boredom, and fatigue in equal proportion, as well as because of time limitations.”
I don't particularly care for this study because 1). they only used 71 women, and just asked them questions instead of measuring them during real sex with sort of scientific Copulatory Vocalizationometer. 2). Those results are depressing.
I dislike the idea of calculated sounds, designed to spur someone to orgasm or worse "relieve boredom." I much prefer the unbidden moan, the deep rich moan that rises spontaneously from some primitive place of dark-red wanting.
I'll leave you today with these words from a lawyer-turned-dominitrix describing her love of "finding" this moan in her lovers. Or as she puts it in The Vagina Monologues
"Discovering the key, unlocking this voice, this wild song." "I made love to quiet women and I found this place inside them and they shocked themselves in their moaning. I made love to moaners and they found a deeper, more penetrating moan...It was a kind of surgery, a kind of delicate science, finding the tempo, the exact location or home or the moan."
xoxoxo,
jill
*answer: no, there is not.
**Why is it so delightful to hear your name on your lover's lips during the throes of passion? Egotism, pretty much. From Dale Carnegie's How To Win Friends and Influence People
: Principle #6
–Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most
important sound in any language.(Alfred Noyer, Paris 1920s)
52 comments:
I really delight in my lover's verbal contribution during lovemaking. It's absolute gibberish but the chord is lovely because it's spoken on the wings of pure, unfiltered pleasure.
Blue Orchid, good to hear. and thanks for the comment. this post is getting so little comment love i honestly thought the comment thing was broken.
uh, can't blame that now.
btw, I'm not judging harshly for doing the whole-vocalizations-to-urge-your-mate-to-kinda-wind-it-up,because I have Totally done that.
Not with you.
I happen to be one of those vocal gals and find that my husband enjoys it. But my favorite are those moans that he makes the gasp or thrum of his "voice" that gives me the add note that he particularly likes something I have done.. The way that we can talk with out words about our shared pleasure,ales me more adventurous the next time and it keeps thing new as even after 10 years together.
That was supposed to say allows me to be more adventurous...
Anonymous-- "thrum"...lovely
"...unbidden moan, the deep rich moan that rises spontaneously from some primitive place of dark-red wanting." Two parts erotica, one part Lovecraft. I simply adore this phrase.
More on-topic, my first real sexual attraction to Current Boyfriend (whom I had decided to date because he was so very obviously my type, and had by this point spend a lot of time wondering about kissing him) was when I got him to moan when giving him a backrub. He's a quiet boy under normal circumstances, and his capacity for vocalization surprised us both and titillated me greatly. He and I have since advanced our relationship and to this day very little gets me turned on like the sound of him moaning enjoyment into my skin. Personal favorite is when I'm passively receiving pleasure and he's into it enough to moan.
"Principle #6 –Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language."
That seems so weird to me. I deplore it when someone who doesn't know me uses my name. I've said this to a lot of people and a fair percentage agreed. In bed, I've had moments where it was said as if she felt like it was a good idea to say my name just then, and that felt weird too. Even when it comes out naturally, it's not an especially hot thing. I dunno, I feel like I can't be the only one who doesn't get much out of it.
I mean, shit, if she's coherent enough to say my name, I figure I'm not working hard enough.
Incoherence! I forgot about the many splendors of incoherence. When very aroused, I have a tendency to develop a bad stutter (I'm actually very articulate in normal circumstances) and Current Boyfriend's name starts with R, which is extremely hard to pronounce when I'm stuttering... it's pretty funny in its own right. In post-orgasm shudders, I usually talk in strings of consonant sounds if I talk at all, and he, in his post-orgasmic high, says things like "Baoowwwwwzip?" It's really brilliant, haha.
Anonymous (why is everyone being Anonymous on this one): you made me do some learnin' b/c did not understand the Lovecraft reference. ps love the moaning into the skin.
Spiffy--Dude, that's 'cause your name is Spiffy. "Ohyesohyesohgod...Spiffy." It sort of stop things doesn't it? btw, I so get your hating of strangers using your name. My husband and I call it "Dale-ing" and it just seems so pushy and salesmanish.
Anonymous--Damn I should have called this the Many Splendors of Incoherence. why couldn't you have commented before I wrote this?
I think this might possibly be one of the BEST things you've EVER written.
What's the word is for making sounds with the vocal cords and having no control over them with the speech part of the brain? Transcoherence?
My spouse has that.
What's the word for vocal cord activity totally uncontrolled by the speech center of the brain? Transcoherence?
My wife has that.
(May be double post; apologies if so.)
Spiffy, "Oh god yes Spiffy fuck me." Well, there you go. Commnence with the rest of your life.
Cinderita--I loved it too. it was very sort of raw and personal to me. and after i ran it, i expected praise and money to rain from the skies. but in lieu of that, your comment is doing the trick.
ValdVin--will look it up. more learnin' to come.
Stumbled into this blog from Savage Love. But the real reason women make "copulatory vocalisations" is becuase its an evolutionary hold over from when we were a primitive tribal culture. According to the evolutionary bioligists in the book "Sex at Dawn", primitive human sex was as much about social ties, as it was procreation. So women being vocal during sex was a way to let nearby fellow tribesmen know that "sex was on". Too tired to explain more, but i recommend the book to anyone who's interested.
and then i look down a few posts and the OP has already recommended it. Nothing to see here, Move along.
Ah David Quinones, I love Sex and Dawn as well as smart talk, so you're golden.
Other reported reasons included speeding things up, “to relieve discomfort/pain, boredom, and fatigue in equal proportion, as well as because of time limitations.”
Wow. I feel bad for those women. If I'm feeling discomfort, pain, boredom, or fatigue, I'm actually far LESS likely to make sounds.
I have one simple reason for vocalizing: what's happening feels really good. If it spurs my lover on (as hearing those noises myself does to me), then that's wonderful. I want them to feel good, too. With a lover I trust and am into, I see no reason to hold back.
The only exceptions to the "it just comes out" rule are when I'm giving necessary feedback--leg cramp, too hard, harder, faster, a little lower, that sort of thing--answering questions, or saying something naughty/encouraging because I think it might turn us both on even more.
*I meant to say, as hearing my lover's noises, myself, does to me.
I find it interesting that at www.LoveExpos.org they say that orgasms can be used to self heal bodies and expand minds. Someone has come up with a very interesting way to Self Heal and Expand Consciousness with Love Bursts.
Very interesting post and fantastic writing.
For starters, I love your blog! This has got to be my favorite post thus far and one I can relate to most. Just hearing the uninhibited, passionate, REAL, surprised noises my lover makes often just flat out does it for me. I can't explain it better than you did here, but yes, someone else gets it!!
I love this post. I don't think enough people pay attention to the non-visual aspects of sex. For me, the sounds and smells of my lover are a huge part of the experience. I'm sure other guys feel the same way, since the study suggests that a lot of women are moaning just to help get a man off faster. But when you get those sounds that just squeek out, where you can hear the shock in the moment...it's bliss!
Once upon a time I was that woman that made sounds just to get it over with or to make them feel better about theirselves.
Then I met the man of my nastiest dreams and I'm louder than ever because it is the way I feel. If I make noise, it's because I can't hold back and he is driving me crazy!
Sex is so sensory-overdrive!!
Smells, sounds, touch sensations!
Afterall... isn't really about being driven to the point where one totally loses self control? ;o)
~shoes~
I think sex is better when there are moaning / sounds involved because it forces you to feel more and think less. Who the hell wants to think during sex? It's all about the senses. You just let yourself go and enjoy the ride (pun intended).
The aural elements of sex and their impact should never be underestimated or undervalued. For me, there are few things as arousing as the sounds made by a woman experiencing genuine pleasure. Whilst the relevance of the quoted studies may be limited, I can attest that "the unbidden moan, the deep rich moan that rises spontaneously from some primitive place of dark-red wanting" has done much to enhance my own pleasure....
True, moans are much better when they're real. But sometimes even forced moans are just what the doctor ordered when I'm in that netherland just at the border of the point of no return deciding whether or not to dip my toe in..
"Female's moans changed during their cycle, becoming "more attractive" during ovulation and "less attractive" during menstruation. (Insert bitchy period joke here.)"
This is fantastic. What about women on birth control though.. how does that pan out in the attractiveness of our cooing?
Personally I like when women get really really quiet with the occasional lurch or shudder. The "ooh ahh, oh baby" whacka whacka crap I find embarrassing, not in the good way.
Just make sure the phone message was the boyfriend.
Otherwise.....
Late to the party but as a vocal girl myself, it's all about me. I don't do it for my partner. My noises are spontaneous and, I don't know if anyone else is this way, but vocalizing makes me come harder. If I try to suppress it my orgasm becomes sort of like brrzzzzzpp instead of *insert noise of World Trade Center collapse*.
I think the genuine, unconscious sounds a man makes when he's turned right-the-fuck-on is amazingly sexy! On the flip side, I did have a fling with a guy who was into the whole fake porn-star-type noises (well, I think he knew it was fake? He did know it was faked ...didn't he!? Shit, I'm not so sure now, he did kinda rate himself...!) and that was probably the least sexy thing I've ever done!
Great article! I didn't use to be much of a moaner, but I've discovered that being able to articulate, in some way, increases my response. I do occasionally vocalize to help my lover along--because he loves it and it gives him great pleasure--and that arouses me. Very different from the old days in marriage where I occasionally had what I call "Charity Sex"-then the words or sounds were more about getting it over and done with!
Hit the respond button too quickly. I write about sex and relationships as well! Love your blog and writing
I think my favourite sexual sound is the muttered babbling/begging that you can inspire if you're lucky enough.
I think that would be orgasmic to listen to a partner's orgasm on a phone message. Truly hot.
I'm a moaner and whisperer and all. I wish I hadn't been with such deadbeats, who barely made a sound during sex. Of course, they had no problems moaning and groaning when not having sex.
Your blog is fantastic. Thanks for visiting. It prompted me to drop by.
xoRobyn
Not only do I enjoy hearing sounds, but I enjoy making my own sounds. However, I feel the same about video games so..
Thank you so much for reposting! This is outstanding!
P.s. I was the director of the first collegiate performance of the Vagina Monologues to be performed at an all-male college, and Eve graced us with her presence in front of the partially hostile full house at Wabash. I have such a soft spot in my heart for "the home of the moan." <3
A Sad Report
Among my 47 wives was a gal who, I realized toward The End, never spoke my name at any time. I've a sneaking suspicion she may not have loved me.
My appreciation and focus on the topic aside: this may be a contender for one of Your Top Ten Posts Of All Time. And, looking the the comments, I'd say you grabbed a live wire, here.
I can't imagine sex without the aural component. When it's happening, we take in so much information on multiple levels -- what we're doing; what they're doing; and how is what we're doing? Getting an indication can be, well, handy. More? Little to the left? Not so fast? Or, push that accelerator to the floor?
And it's not just directions or endearments, but the general sounds of all the physicality. It's something not intellectualized, not even fully conscious. In so few areas of life (that aren't painted over to make them appear socially acceptable, or as something else) are we allowed to behave as the Animals we can be.
Woof. This -- a good piece of writing. 'Scuse me; gotta go prove I'm not a robot.
Why is there a stigma around men moaning?
do you really think there is Katrina?
and mongo, that third paragraph...oh man.
Yes. I wonder if it has to do with what is depicted in porn? Women are more verbal than men.
Katrina, totally why it's depicted in porn. and seems so super fakey to me in most casest but i guess it's the fact of someone making the sounds vs. how legit they are that dudes respond to.
and maybe stigma (which i don't really think there is a ton of) would be related to seeming vulnerable? or maybe that there's not the biological history for it so it was never quite as developed? in gay male porn there is more moaning so i don't know what that's about either. i have no answers today, sister, only more questions.
Without the noise, there is no connection.so it is best to give your partner, the verbal signals to let the person know that you like what he/she is doing.
That's a great conclusion sentence. Too bad more men don't know this / don't communicate the "oh yes, that feels great, keep doing that" etceteras
The sounds, I love them indeed!
The sound of a dry, noisy kiss near to the ear, it makes me melt.
I am not super loud during sex, but in the middle of a good shag I do find myself moaning a lot, the moans just need to get out. I love a bit of hot, dirty talk and also giving instructions of what I want. I get aroused of thinking of other sounds that I like, for example the sound of a good slap on the ass, my lovers heavy breathing whilst we're on duty, his grunts and moans; I don't know if someone has mentioned this one but I love that squishy, wet sound that -I make with my lover when I'm very wet (or using lots of lube) and I get penetrated slowly and steady. It's not loud, but I adore that sound, it blows my mind.
YES! I love the noises--all of them that my lover emotes in bed! It is among the finest music in the world. The sounds bypass all logic. Pure Bliss..
I love your blog..
Thank you
60 something, and still very curious.
I love HEARING about all of this :))))))))))))))))))))))))
this ( subject ) is possibly the best thing I have read in...at least Pre-Pandemicean Times.
when the magic Power Ball numbers finally hit for me, i'm gonna direct/create a Porn where
the Protagnists only...hey wait, no freebies ! 😘
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