Top 12 Best Songs About Crushes

This is probably one emotion that we have all had at one time or another. It was most likely at school, or possible for some a little later, maybe at that first job. It could be just walking down the street or seeing someone while sitting in a coffee shop. 

Great songwriters have all used that emotion to write some great songs. So, I decided to take an in-depth look at some of the best songs about crushes.

Part of Growing Up

It is a part of our emotional development as adolescents as we move towards adulthood. At the time, the hormones have kicked in, and we don’t know what is going on. It can feel like an emotional tidal wave. 

We are convinced “this is the one.” Of course, most of the time, it isn’t. But that is how it feels as you get swept off your feet. All you want to do is be with or even just near them.

Dare You Say Something?

Have you got the nerve? Will it ruin everything, and they won’t ever speak to you again? Or, maybe it will be the start of a lifelong friendship or even more. If you say nothing, will you go through the rest of your life wondering what would have happened? Probably.

The Songs

There are so many great crush songs to choose from. They come from a variety of genres and even periods. It is obviously not just a modern phenomenon. And they relate to a range of circumstances. Songwriters have had a field day. So, let’s take a look…

Love Walks In by Van Halen

Van Halen could raise the roof at times; in fact, they very often did. It was 1978 when I was fortunate enough to see them return ‘home’ to the Amsterdam Paradiso. It was the original lineup, and the 5150 album had not been conceived at that stage.

When 5150 came out, it was the first album without David Lee Roth, and it was a milestone in my view. Sacrilege to some, but with Sammy Hagar on board, they were trying to develop and create a more ‘pop’ sound.

A Hidden Ability?

Maybe it was, but they suddenly began to develop great ‘hooks’ in their songs. “Love Walks In” was one of those from 1986, and the album that it came from, 5150.

The musicianship is all still there and shines through. Some nice synthesizer sounds to start. Great bridge, with plenty of backing vocals. 

We get to the inevitable guitar solo, and we are all amazed at the lack of speedy notes as he plays a basic melody. Well, for a while anyway. He closes it out in typical Eddie style.

A familiar feeling…

It is a song about someone who walks into your life and who you have never met before. Somehow, they have managed to create that exact feeling we can all remember just by listening to the song.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush

Dave Gilmour recognizes genius when he sees and hears it. And, it was him that recognized it in the mercurial Kate Bush. There was nothing like her before. There’s been nothing even close since.

Kate at her best…

This song was taken from the album of the same name, Hounds of Love. It was released in 1985, a full three years after her previous album release. This has got all the Kate Bush imagination and creativity built in. Wonderful orchestrations and a very clever arrangement. It seems to swirl all around you.

This is an album voted by music critics as her best and one of the greatest albums of all time. If you have doubts about their views, just take a listen. 

It went to the top of the album chart in the UK and was certified as a double-platinum selling album. The eighteen months of recording and production were worthwhile.

The Excitement

The interesting drum rhythm drives the song forward. But, it tells you that she is feeling some excitement about a new man. She wants to take this new relationship and carry it with her. A crush, if you like, but she sees it as something a little more. I suppose we all did that as well at some point.

You Really Got Me by The Kinks

Was this the very first ever heavy rock song? I can’t think of anything that was so ‘riff-based’ that came before it. It was written by singer and guitarist Ray Davies on the piano in his mother’s house.

Released in 1964, it went to #1 in the UK and #7 in America. The Kinks joined other successful British bands in America as part of the “British Invasion.”

The song itself is built around riffs created by power chords using octaves and perfect fifths. A novel idea at the time and one that set a precedent for many songs to come.

Oh, The Arguments

It is a wonder the song came out at all. Pye records wouldn’t fund a ‘real recording’; they wanted the ‘mish-mash’ they had created. Ray and Dave were fighting internally. 

In the end, their management funded the recording that we know today. And Dave split the speaker cone of his Vox AC30 with a razor blade. That created the guitar sound.

More Myths Dispelled

For the record, Jimmy Page did not play the solo; that was Dave Davies. And Jon Lord didn’t play piano; that was Arthur Greenslade.

Finally, we get to the song, which is all about a young man fantasizing about a girl he has met. So much so that he doesn’t know what he is doing and can’t sleep at night.

Creation of the Rock Sound…

A song about a crush, yes. But, this track was far more important than just that. Eddie Van Halen covered it for their first album and also their first single. They did a decent job, and it certainly kick-started their career. 

Having said that, The Kinks version was superior because of its simplicity. When everyone else tries to cover it, there is just too much overdrive on the guitar, which, in my view, ruins it.

I’ve Just Seen A Face by The Beatles

In any list, it doesn’t take too long to get round to something by the greatest band there has ever been and ever will be. This song was released on the album, Help!, from the film in 1965. 

For some obscure reason, it replaced “Drive My Car” as the opening song on the American version of Rubber Soul. Before you ask, I have no idea.

Love At First Sight

A simple enough song written and sung by Paul McCartney. It was recorded at the same session that McCartney finished “Yesterday.” It reminds you a little bit of a folk song. There is no bass, which is interesting and includes extra acoustic guitars and percussion for filling.

It talks of love at first sight for someone he has just seen. It relays the excitement of the ‘crush’ we have talked about and how the experience has filled him full of hope. Was this song about Jane Asher? 

Could have been. He had met her for the first time in 1963. Maybe he was recalling the experience. Regardless, the song contains all the excitement we felt when it happened to us. And that’s why it is one of the best songs about crushes.

You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away by The Beatles

From the same Help! album, John Lennon writes about a similar occurrence but with the opposite reaction. In this song, he is in his ‘Dylan’ mode, which he often went into. Just him and an acoustic guitar while he was writing. He uses a flute instead of a harmonica which is a nice subtle touch.

There are some conflicting discussions about what the song is about. There usually are. John, to my knowledge, has never spoken about the meaning of the song. But, the song is clearly about someone who has discovered what he thinks is his love. But, for some reason has to “hide it away.”

Was It Brian?

One wonders whether it could have a reference to Brian Epstein, their manager. Brian was homosexual and, in those days, would have had to have kept that a secret. John wasn’t, but he was very close to Brian. Out of respect for him, maybe that is why John never discussed its meaning.

One of my favorite Beatles songs from that period up to about 1965. It is packed with emotion and sadness for something the singer cannot control.

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Franki Valli

When talking about popular songs about crushes, there are few with more meaningful lyrics than this song. Released in 1967 and co-written by fellow former Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio, this was one of his most important records.

The One That Nearly Got Away

That is how it was referred to inside Valli’s inner circle. Radio stations weren’t keen on playing it at first. But, one did as a favor. As a result, listener requests went through the roof, and everybody else joined the party. It went to #1 in America and was certified as a gold disc.

The song depicts exactly what can happen when the emotions take over. Someone looks just too good to be true. We can’t take our eyes off them. I can give you an example of this in an unrelated citation.

You Become Oblivious To Everything But Them

I was at a tennis tournament and was invited into the player’s lounge. Just having a quiet drink with some friends when Gabriella Sabatini walked in. 

Dear, oh dear. My friend, a tennis coach, leaned across and asked me to stop staring at her. Everyone was looking at me looking at her.

And, I wasn’t fourteen either. So, a crush can get you any time, folks. And, yes, graciously, she did sign a poster for me. Not a ‘crush’ as such, I suppose, just shock at an individual’s beauty. This song, though, does capture the crush aspect exactly.

I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield

The great Dusty Springfield. The best female singer the UK ever produced? Almost certainly. The song was written by Mike Hawker about the feelings he had for his new wife in 1963. 

The record company, Phillips, knew that with Dusty’s naturally soulful voice that she was going to be a success. She just needed the right song to kick start her career. This was chosen as her first single.

It was a good choice. Number 4 in the UK and #12 in America wasn’t bad for the first single from, at the time, an unknown girl singer. A great song about having a crush that once again describes the feelings of that special person you just want to spend all your time with.

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police

This was a song that Sting composed before The Police were formed in 1976. Released in 1981, it rose to #1 in the UK and #3 in America, and was successful in many countries. It was taken from the album Ghost In The Machine.

This song tells the story of a hopeless romantic who has had his infatuation for a while. But, an infatuation it will remain. He is too afraid of what her reaction might be if she finds out how he feels.

A very typical Police song of the time, except for one thing. This has a piano, where most of their songs don’t.

Surfer Girl by The Beach Boys

Let’s go back in time a little bit. This song sounds like it was written by a bunch of school kids as one of their first efforts. That’s a bit odd, considering “Surfer Girl” was on their third album. I suppose, in some way, it was. 

Boys will be boys…

They were all twenty or younger and still in a very formative stage. And, of course, times were a lot different in 1963 when this was released.

The innocence, and in some ways, the musical naivety of the song, is the thing that makes this such a good choice for one of the best songs about crushes. It brings back memories of meeting someone and hoping they feel the same way that you do. 

The album went to #7 in America on its release and stayed on the chart for 56 weeks. Not bad for a band I have just referred to as sounding like school kids.

Unfair

Of course, that is not a serious description and is rather unfair. I am sure you know what I mean when you listen to it. At this stage, Brian Wilson was taking control of The Beach Boys. He is named as the sole producer of the album. 

It wasn’t released in the UK until 1967, when it reached #13 on the album chart. There wasn’t a big surfing movement in the UK at the time. So, that says something about their talent.

What The Subject Is All About

If there is a song that personifies the innocence of youth and a harmless crush on someone, then this could well be it. Great track in the formative years from a band that created some masterpieces later on.

I’ve Got A Crush On You by Ella Fitzgerald

We are getting near the end of this list so let’s really go back in time now. This jazz great was released in 1928, and since then, it has been covered by plenty of people. Some of whom, I might venture to say, should never have gone anywhere near it. 

You have to be able to sing to get away with this. No names mentioned.

A Delicious Recipe

So, take George and Ira Gershwin, who wrote the song. Add Ella Fitzgerald, and what do you get? Say no more. A recipe for a jazz masterpiece that has become a standard. 

It is an interesting song in that it was written by the Gershwin brothers for two different musicals. That makes it quite unique.

And the subject matter? Quite clear from the title. You might say one of the ‘old school’ compositions and a classic song about crushes.

I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles

We are nearly at the end, and so, one last visit to The Beatles music factory. It is always difficult to know what to finish with, but I have chosen this as the penultimate choice. Written by both John and Paul, it was released in 1963. 

It had advanced orders of over a million, which should have sent it straight to #1 on its release date. Unfortunately, “She Loves You” was still there and kept this song at #2. Eventually, it went to #1 just a few weeks later.

A Simple Song

It is all about a boy just wanting to hold the hand of someone he likes. He tried to persuade her gently if she would like to hold his hand. Again, simple, innocent stuff. But that is what having a crush is all about.

I’m Into Something Good by Herman’s Hermits

All of these songs relate to crushes and the feelings we have when we experience that emotion. To finish, I wanted to find a song that encapsulated those feelings. But also recaptured the innocence of it all. I chose this famous song about a crush.

The Writers

Gerry Goffin and Carole King. A great partnership that was responsible for some great songs. But, by 1963, they may have thought they had been made redundant. The bands who were known as the “British Invasion” wrote their own songs. Herman’s Hermits did not.

This song, on its release, knocked “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks off the top in the UK. Strangely, it was their only British number one. It was in America that they had the most success. And, from 1964 to 1968, every one of their songs made the American Top 40.

Beating The Beatles?

In 1965, Billboard made them America’s #1 singles act of the year. The Beatles were number two. Quite an achievement.

This song, though, is an excellent example of the ‘crush’ and what it meant to us. It is a happy tune, full of hope and innocence, and sums it all up in just three minutes.

Want to Find More Great Songs?

We got you covered. Take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Songs About Heroes, the Best Songs About Dreams, the Best Songs About Magic, the Best Songs About Friendship, the Best Songs About Change, and the Best Songs about Friday for more amazing song selections.

You’re going to want to hear those tunes. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Smart Speakers, the Loudest Portable Bluetooth Speakers, the Best Waterproof Speakers, the Best Wireless Outdoor Speakers, as well as the Best Tailgate Speakers you can buy in 2023.

Best Songs About Crushes – Conclusion

Has everyone had a crush at some point? Of course, they are prominent in most people’s memories as well. And, music helps to transport us back to our youth and those feelings. That is one of the great things that music can do. With a little help from the songwriter, of course.

Until next time, happy listening.