Intense Men and Melty Voices

Yes, of course I'm talking about the hot men that croon to me inside my computer and iPod. How I love them. I have to be in a certain mood, but when I am, nothing strikes my fancy more than the broody, intense male singer/songwriter. I'm counting them down by my favorite songs.

Lets see if you agree.

1. Jamie Cullum, All at Sea

This is my go to man for relaxing, driving along the seashore at six am music. This music is just something that agrees with and fills quiet, isolated spaces, like a deserted highway, an empty beach, or an quiet apartment with just you and your bubble bath.

Best Lyric: "Like a warm drink it seeps into my soul, please just leave me right here on my own."

2. Jeff Buckley, Hallelujah

It's so biblical and raw and speaks to emotions within me that I don't fully understand. There is something that is just pure magic about this song. The idea of combining all the moments that make us pray, that test our strength...that really speaks to me. For a recovering Catholic, that is pretty much the most powerful connection to be made.

Best Lyric: "She broke your throne, she cut your hair and from you lips she drew the hallelujah."

3. Damien Rice, 9 Crimes

This song is so raw and emotional. It's about two lovers talking about the crimes they've committed against each other, sometimes small, always inexcusable, and constantly asking "Is that alright?" And of course, it's never alright. It's lurking around every begging chorus--the situation will never be alright again. But it's about the hope for redemption and forgiveness. Gotta love that.

Best Lyric: "Is that alright, if I give away my gun when it's loaded? Is that alright with you?"

4. Jack Johnson, Banana Pancakes

Maybe it's because I truly do love banana pancakes (and Jack Johnson) that this is the ultimate snuggle/make me feel better/bad day song. There is something about this man's voice that is so soothing, relaxing, and naturally uplifting all at once.

Best Lyric: "Lady lady love me, cuz I love to lay you lazy, we could close the curtains, pretend there's no world outside."

5. Ryan Adams, Wonderwall

Okay, I have a mild obsession with Oasis, and maybe because of my intense saturation level, this version of the song took my breath away. Really. It's just so unbelievably gorgeous, and totally puts this deeply romantic, intimate twist on the song that I never saw coming. Which makes it pretty hot, actually.

Best Lyric: "And all the roads we have to walk are winding, and all the lights that lead us there are blinding"

6. John Mayer, Message in a Bottle

Now, I may be crucified for picking this version of Message in a Bottle over any other, but I'm a firm believer in covers. I love the way they reinvent the song, and this version from John Mayer is absolutely no exception. I love what his voice adds to this classic--hope, youth, freshness, yearning, it's all there, and that's what the song is really about.

Best Lyric: "A year has passed since I wrote my note, but I should have known this right from the start: Only hope can keep me together."

7. Josh Kelley, Only You

No lie, this song got Katherine Heigl to marry him. Well sort of, they met while she starred in his video, dated, promptly fell in love. Fabulous, no? Now just imagine what this song will do to YOUR heartstrings. Just try to resist its delicious lure....

Best Lyric: "Don't go act all sweetness, cuz honey that's not right."

8. Matt Costa, Wash Away

There's something dark and delicious about this man's velvet voice and image laden lyrics. Something a little different, a little off kilter from the rest of the mainstream, and it's like a tractor beam of hotness. This song gets me every time.

Best Lyric: "The castles we built were so tall, they only left us farther to fall/I can still see them from far away, maybe we'll get come back someday."

9. Michael Buble, Home

I love this guy's voice! I do wish he would do more than cover Sinatra songs, though--this is his only original, and arguably his best song. Especially being out of the country a lot, after a tough day I do get that sort of "Just take me home" feeling before crashing into the pillows. So yeah, it speaks to me.

Best Lyric: "Another aeroplane, another sunny place, I'm lucky I know, but I want to go home."

10. Gavin DeGraw, Belief

I love this song because he falls in love with a girl because of how much she believes in him, which, yes, could potentially have problems, but it just sounds so noble. I love the idea that maybe men appreciate all we do for them....

Best Lyric: "Tonight you arrested my mind when you came to my defense with a knife in the form of your mouth in the shape of your body"

• Damien Rice, The Blower's Daughter
• Damien Rice, Volcano
• Jamie Cullum, Twentysomething
• Snow Patrol, Run (only because they're a band, not a single man!)
• Howie Day, Collide
• Matt Costa, Behind the Moon
• James Taylor, Sweet Baby James
• Jack Johnson, Upside Down
• Jack Johnson, The Horizon Has Been Defeated
• John Mayer, 3x5

Hope you liked it--this here is some of my alltime favorite music, especially Run, which is probably the most emotional song of my life (it has quite a story behind it for me). Add something on if you feel moved!

....I guess this means I have the final word.