David Archuleta, Crush | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 90^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we highlight “Crush” performed by David Archuleta.

 

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 90^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 (2025), we break down “Crush” performed by David Archuleta.

“I hung up the phone tonight / Something happened for the first time deep inside,” a young David Archuleta sings in the first verse of “Crush”.  He continues, describing this feeling as “a rush, what a rush (What a rush).” “Crush,” a song about the young man crushing on a girl (times have changed since then) was the crown jewel of his gold-certified, 2008 debut album, David Archuleta.  Like many youngsters, his feelings are overwhelming, particularly if she possibly feels the same way.  David Hodges, Emanuel Kiriakou, and Jess Cates penned “Crush.” Hodges and Kiriakou also produced it. A significant pop hit, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

“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.

---

David Archuleta » David Archuleta » 19 Recordings Ltd. / RCA/Jive Label Group » 2008

David Archuleta, Crush: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 90 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 19 Recordings Ltd. / RCA/Jive Label Group; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]

---