15 Memorable Songs About Crushing & Catching Feelings features songs by Alicia Keys, David Archuleta, Fantasia, Little Big Town, Prince, and Taylor Swift.
Crushing and catching feelings happen every day, folks! Personally, I have had many crushes, many of which never knew they were the object of my affection… That is another story for another day… or not… Anyways, the relatable occurrence of crushing and catching feelings has unsurprisingly been the subject of lots of songs. For the first time, The Musical Hype has compiled a list of songs related to such feelings. 15 Memorable Songs About Crushing & Catching Feelings features songs by Alicia Keys, David Archuleta, Fantasia, Little Big Town, Prince, and Taylor Swift. Songs may feature the word crush, or nah. The main criterion is that the songs on 15 Memorable Songs About Crushing & Catching Feelings reference crushing and catching feelings for someone, despite the song title. So, let’s jump into these captivating crush-driven songs, shall we? Will any of these songs trigger your feelings of liking someone a lot?

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1. sombr, “crushing”
I Barely Know Her » SMB Music LLC / Warner » 2025
In the verses, sombr shares the desires of his Gen-Z heart ❤️: “I want to see you in the morning.” Aww, the power of a crush! Yet, he’s also self-aware, acknowledging that she doesn’t reciprocate his feelings: “You want to shove me in the corner.” Unrequited love is the worst, and it can affect the person who is crushing fiercely in a devastating manner. In the second verse, his mental state is quite concerning: “In times like these, my mind becomes crazy / I feel like this because I miss your taste / Sometimes, I feel like I could leave this place / But then I think about my mother’s face.” Yikes. On the bridge, Boose is jealous of a potential new suitor. Soul-crushing for sure! Beautifully and expressively sung (even with a heavy dose of distortion on his voice at times), with relatable lyrics and well-rounded production (sombr and Tony Berg), “crushing” marks another shining moment for the ascending talented singer, songwriter, and producer.
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2. Ariana Grande, “Into You”
Dangerous Woman » Republic / UMG Recordings, Inc. » 2016
Throughout, Grande’s desires are turned all the way up, through memorable, suggestive lyrics, tuneful melodies, and elite vocals. Beyond the verses excerpted above, Ari is unafraid to share her feelings. In the pre-chorus, she asserts, “Oh, baby, look what you started / The temperature’s risin’ in here / Is this gonna happen?” Oh, snap! The chorus is the crème de la crème, where she requests “A little less conversation and a / Little more touch my body / ‘Cause I’m so into you, into you, into you.” Fair enough, Ari! And if that didn’t make it clear, in the outro, she implores him, “So, come light me up, baby / Little dangerous / A little dangerous, my boy.” She is a Dangerous Woman, after all! Ultimately, “Into You” is an entertaining, sexy standout from Grande’s illustrative pop catalog.
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3. Ruben, “Girlfriend”
“Girlfriend” » Markussen Music / Warner Music Norway AS » 2025
The good news is, once more, Ruben drops a bomb song with “Girlfriend.” Yes, he’s reaching by trying to turn this hetero dude homo, but it’s a compelling narrative. “I get a feeling sometimes /… To tell you how I’ve been feeling,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “But you’ve got a girl that sounds like / Heaven on crack, singing along to Fleetwood Mac / But I could serenade you, bent back at the laundromat.” Truthfully, Ruben could sing to you, dude – he has the voice of an angel! Anyways, if you are the G in LGBTQ (could be other letters, too), there is little doubt that you have experienced the same feelings as our Norwegian musician. Ruben’s tactics are extreme but give him credit for a Herculean effort! See the chorus:
“Put on a skirt, let it ride high
Sing your name like a lullaby
All the things that your girl won’t do
I’d cross that line if you asked me to
And baby, I could be your girlfriend.”
A skirt, Ruben? Damn, you really got the hots for him, don’t you? He admits to feeling guilty, singing, “You don’t know how it kills me.” True. Many gays have been forced to hold lots of things in, including their sexuality, so adding a straight boy crush is just another hardship, damn it! But, Mr. Markussen, thanks for your vulnerability to deliver another, undeniable pop bop! The situation may be shitty, but “Girlfriend” is the shit! #SLAY 💅!
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4. Alicia Keys, “You Don’t Know My Name”
The Diary of Alicia Keys » RCA » 2003
The good news about this The Diary of Alicia Keys standout, is that Keys ensures he DOES know her name! Check out the music video, and Keys’ crush frequents the coffeehouse where she works. So infatuated, Keys informs us that he “always orders the special.” She eventually reveals her feelings via cell, eventually securing the date during the spoken word interlude (“I know girls don’t usually do this / But I was wondering if maybe we could get together / Outside the restaurant one day”). Ultimately, “You Don’t Know My Name” is a fabulous song about crushing on someone. Furthermore, it’s one of the finest songs of the aughts.

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5. Michael Jackson, “The Way You Make Me Feel”
Bad » MJJ Productions » 1987
In the 1980s, Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009) had TWO juggernaut albums. Though it was an arduous task for Jackson to follow up the biggest of the two juggernauts, Thriller (1982), Bad (1987) is a masterpiece too. Bad landed five no. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including its third single, “The Way You Make Me Feel”. “The Way You Make Me Feel” is a vibe from the onset, thanks to a fierce revving sound (for lack of a better description) and the signature 80s drum programming – gotta love that boxy sound! The groove cooks, including a bass line for the ages. Jackson penned this memorable number and produced it alongside the iconic Quincy Jones. Even if those drums sound anachronistic in the 2020s the charm and energy of “The Way You Make Me Feel” never loses its freshness or luster.
“The Way You Make Me Feel” is a prime example of Michael Jackson embracing being The King of Pop. Yes, the soulful, R&B vibes are still present, particularly those accented horns and the bluesy harmonic structure, but this is a pop record. Jackson is in great voice, following the groove with his signature “Hee-hee.” The straightforward structure makes “The Way You Make Me Feel” incredibly accessible. The writing is straightforward, too – love, love, love. “You give me fever like I’ve never, ever known,” Jackson asserts in the first verse, adding in the pre-chorus, “I feel your fever from miles around.” In the second verse, he melts 🫠 because of her – “Just hold me, baby, and I’m in ecstasy.” Oh, the power of a crush and a relationship! Of course, the main attraction – the focal point – is none other than the chorus: “The way you make me feel / You really turn me on / You knock me off of my feet / My lonely days are gone.” The excellence and infectiousness of “The Way You Make Me Feel” speaks for itself!

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6. Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”
Fearless (Taylor’s Version) » Taylor Swift » 2021
Swift has become an even more elite songwriter since her “You Belong With Me” days. Revisiting “You Belong With Me,” you can’t deny how catchy, infectious, and memorable it is. “And you’ve got a smile that could light up this whole town,” Swift sings in the second verse, continuing, “I haven’t seen it in a while since she brought you down.” Oh, the nostalgia of a T. Swift song about a boy! The chorus is the centerpiece:
“If you could see that I’m the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can’t you see?
You belong with me
Standing by and waiting at your back door
All this time how could you not know, baby?
You belong with me, you belong with me.”
“You Belong With Me” is one of the most memorable and tuneful songs of the aughts hands down.
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7. Sam Smith, “Leave Your Lover”
In the Lonely Hour » Capitol » 2014
Possibly the lyrics exaggerates things, but when one is in love, infatuation seems to be amplified and over-amplified greatly. The heart definitely wants what it wants and at the time, Smith desired this guy who was already taken. There’s an interesting, likely unintended oxymoronic moment when Smith encourages to “Pack up” yet follows up with “…leave everything.” Yes, we know what he means but still, how you gonna pack things and leave everything 😜.

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8. Fantasia, “When I See U”
Fantasia » 19 Recordings Limited » 2006
“You’re always on my mind
When you come around, I get shy
When I see you, when I see you
Never know when you might walk by
So, I gotta be right on time
When I see you, when I see you.”
“When I See U” remains one of the sweetest moments of Fantasia’s career.
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9. David Archuleta, “Crush”
David Archuleta » 19 Recordings Ltd. / RCA/Jive Label Group » 2008
“Crush” sounds like quintessential late 2000s pop. The musical backdrop is smooth, including piano and R&B-infused drum programming. Later, during the chorus, which grows bigger in scope, guitars (acoustic and electric) enter the mix. Throughout, Archie’s vocals are smooth and youthful. Yes, the lyrics are bubblegum-laden and schmaltzy, but ultimately, memorable. “Has it ever crossed your mind / When we’re hangin’, spendin’ time, girl,” he sings the second verse, and adds, “Are we just friends? Is there more, is there more?” His innocent and sweet vocal performance brings the tuneful melodies alive. The chorus, of course, is the crème de la crème. “Do you ever thing when you’re alone / All that we could be, where this thing could go?” Archie sings, adding, “Am I crazy or fallin’ in love? / Is it real or just another crush?” For extra emphasis, plenty of repetition appears in the post-chorus… you can never have too many affirmative yeahs, right? Archuleta’s music is far different from “Crush” these days, but, lest we forget, other than being the runner-up on American Idol, this was the song that put our talented Latino cutie on the map.

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10. Little Big Town, “Girl Crush”
Pain Killer » Capitol Nashville » 2014
“I wanna taste her lips, yeah, ‘cause they taste like you
I wanna drown myself in a bottle of her perfume
I want her long blonde hair, I want her magic touch
Yeah, ‘cause maybe then, you’d want me just as much
I gotta girl crush, I gotta girl crush.”
Clearly, this woman is jealous of her ex’s new girl. She admires the girl only because she’s won over her ex, which is a – drum roll please – GUY! He remains her biggest crush, end of story. For those upset that “Girl Crush” was queer, you have nothing to worry about. For those of us who thought “Girl Crush” was awesome because it was queer, well, take solace in the fact that it bothered narrow-minded folks and homophobes!
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11. Fergie, “Clumsy”
The Dutchess » A&M » 2006
Although Little Richard’s sampled, pitched-up vocals in the refrain play a key role on “Clumsy,” Fergie does plenty of heavy lifting. The lyrics aren’t deep in the least, but Fergie expresses the desires of her heart. “First time that I saw your eyes / Boy, you looked right through me, mm-mm,” she sings in the first verse, and continues, “Played it cool, but I knew you knew / That cupid hit me, mm-mm.” No extra analysis necessary – it’s self-evident! The vibes are the same in the second verse, where she has “butterflies, so crazy.” Deeply affected by the power of her crush, in the chorus, the section to beat, Fergie sings, “You got me trippin’ (Oh), stumblin’ (oh), flippin’ (oh), fumbling (Oh) / So clumsy ‘cause I’m fallin’ in love.” “Clumsy” stands out because of its distinct, quirky production (this is will.i.am through and through), and Fergie-Ferg’s playful, silly performance. Is it cringy? Arguably, but that’s part of the charm.

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12. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
Kiss » Interscope » 2012
“Hey, I just met you
And this is crazy
But here’s my number
So, call me maybe
It’s hard to look right
At you baby
But here’s my number
So, call me maybe…”
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13. Fountains of Wayne, “Stacy’s Mom”
Welcome Interstate Managers » S-Curve 2 » 2003
Seven memorable lyrics: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on.” Fountains Of Wayne solidified their musical legacy with one song: “Stacy’s Mom”. The third track from their 2003 album, Welcome Interstate Managers, would be their only pop hit. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold. The band has no other RIAA certifications. One-hit wonder, exemplified, thanks to the hotness of not Stacy, but rather, her mom! Chris Collingwood (vocals, guitar) and Adam Schlesinger (bass, backing vocals, 1967 – 2020) wrote the gem while Collingwood, Schlesinger, and Mike Denneen produced it.
The focal point of “Stacy’s Mom” is Stacy’s mom, of course. Written from the perspective of a pre-pubescent/pubescent boy, experiencing the new experience of attraction, he is taken with the hotness of her mom. Asking Stacy to come over after school, Chris Collingwood has questions about her mom: “Did your mom get back from her business trip? / Is she there, or is she trying to give me the slip?” Ooh-wee, buddy! No longer a boy, he adds, “I’m all grown up now, baby, can’t you see?” The pubescent mind is something else. As an adult, it’s mind-blowing how awkward that time is. The boy, I mean, the man, continues to be delulu and enamored in the second verse. In his lawn mowing memory, Collingwood recollects, “Your mom came out with just a towel on / I could tell she liked me from the way she stared.” Bro, I don’t think she likes you the way you say she likes you… “And I know you think it’s just a fantasy / But since your dad walked out, your mom could use a guy like me.” Um, no… You have seen the cases and incidents where adult-minor relationships are inappropriate, right? Well, I guess if he’s a hormone-laden adolescent, he’s not thinking with his brain but rather his… Exuberant and tuneful, “Stacy’s Mom” is irresistible. And honestly, the delusional view of a kid going through those ch-ch-ch-changes is spot on. 2000s pop/rock gold! Rock on! R.I.P. Adam!

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14. Average White Band, “School Boy Crush”
Cut the Cake » Atlantic Recording Corp. » 1975
No matter how average they might be, Average White Band showcases elite musicianship throughout “School Boy Crush.” Beyond the expressive, nuanced, and soulful lead vocals, the instrumental slaps hard. “School Boy Crush” benefits from its infectious, sickening funk groove from the get-go. The rhythm guitar kicks ass and takes names. The bass line is epic – big, fat, and robust, baby! The horns add another dimension to the greatness. Also, the musical underpinnings shine! The harmonic progression is marvelous, while key modulations give the song an adventurous spirit. Speaking of adventurous spirit, the innuendo is ripe: “If we play cool (If we play coo), it’ll be alright / Don’t let the teacher see us talking / But after school we can be out of sight / Everybody gonna think we just gone walkin’.” Ooh-wee! The centerpiece is the chorus:
“She said, Hey – wait a minute – hold on
She said, Hey – just a little bit – hold on
When I try to think of what it feels like
To feel it for the first time, was it really such a thrill?
She said, Look, boy – but don’t you touch
That ain’t much – it’s only a school boy crush.”
“School Boy Crush” remains a vibe well into the 21st century. It has been sampled many, many times for good reason!
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15. Prince, “I Wanna Be Your Lover”
Prince » NPG / Legacy Recordings » 1979
“I Wanna Be Your Lover” truly showcases Prince’s abilities as an artist – incredible musicianship. Vocally, he sounds magnificent, wowing with a falsetto for the ages. Instrumentally, the soul factor is full force with an infectious groove where the rhythm section is ‘in the pocket.’ Melodically, the lines Prince sings are memorable, checking off the tuneful box we love for pop music to have. The songwriting is infectious, too. The Purple One is infatuated, so much so that he asserts in verse two, “I wanna be your brother / I wanna be your mother and your sister too.” Woo – he wants to be her all and everything! Now that is a mighty crush he has! The love is pronounced on “I Wanna Be Your Lover”, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Adding to the allure is the instrumental outro, where Prince is in no rush to close things out. He lets it ride out 💪.

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~ Table of Contents ~ » ~ intro ~
15 Memorable Songs About Crushing & Catching Feelings (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 19 Recordings Ltd., A&M, Atlantic Recording Corp., Capitol, Interscope, Legacy Recordings, Markussen Music, MJJ Productions, NPG, RCA/Jive Label Group, Republic, S-Curve 2, SMB Music LLC, Taylor Swift, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner, Warner Music Norway AS; Canva AI; Jonathan Goncalves, Nikita Skripnik from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay] |
![sombr, I Barely Know Her [📷: SMB Music LLC / Warner] sombr, I Barely Know Her [📷: SMB Music LLC / Warner]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sombr-i-barely-know-her.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman [📷: Republic] Ariana Grande, Dangerous Woman [📷: Republic]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ariana-Grande-Dangerous-Woman-%C2%A9-Republic.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ruben, Girlfriend [📷: Markussen Music / Warner Music Norway AS] Ruben, Girlfriend [📷: Markussen Music / Warner Music Norway AS]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ruben-girlfriend.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Alicia Keys, The Diary of Alicia Keys [📷: RCA] Alicia Keys, The Diary of Alicia Keys [📷: RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/alicia-keys-the-diary-of-alicia-keys-rca.jpg?resize=304%2C300&ssl=1)
![Taylor Swift, Fearless (Taylor's Version) [📷: Taylor Swift] Taylor Swift, Fearless (Taylor's Version) [📷: Taylor Swift]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/taylor-swift-fearless-taylors-version.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition) [📷: Capitol] Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition) [📷: Capitol]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sam-smith-in-the-lonely-hour-drowning-shadows-edition-1024x1024.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Fantasia, Fantasia [📷: 19 Recordings Limited] Fantasia, Fantasia [📷: 19 Recordings Limited]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/fantasia-fantasia-19-recordings-limited.jpg?resize=303%2C300&ssl=1)
![David Archuleta, David Archuleta [📷: 19 Recordings Ltd. / RCA/Jive Label Group] David Archuleta, David Archuleta [📷: 19 Recordings Ltd. / RCA/Jive Label Group]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/david-archuleta-david-archuleta.jpg?resize=303%2C300&ssl=1)
![Little Big Town, Pain Killer [📷: Capitol Nashville] Little Big Town, Pain Killer [📷: Capitol Nashville]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/little-big-town-pain-killer-capitol-nashville.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Fergie, The Dutchess (Deluxe) [📷: A&M] Fergie, The Dutchess (Deluxe) [📷: A&M]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/fergie-the-dutchess-deluxe.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Carly Jepsen, Kiss [📷: Interscope] Carly Jepsen, Kiss [📷: Interscope]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/carly-rae-jepsen-this-kiss-interscope.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Average White Band, Cut The Cake [📷: Atlantic Recording Corporation] Average White Band, Cut The Cake [📷: Atlantic Recording Corporation]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/average-white-band-cut-the-cake.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Prince, Prince [📷: NPG / Legacy Recordings] Prince, Prince [📷: NPG / Legacy Recordings]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/prince-prince.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)

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