The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres inclu… Read Full Bio ↴The seven-piece alt-rock group draws inspiration from multiple genres including rock, funk, jazz, blues, and ska, featuring a unique mixture of the typical rock band drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, as well as keys and brass- namely sax and trumpet with the occasional trombone, flute, and strings. The brass brings on the jazzy, funk-laced feel, dependent on the song, while keys, vocals, guitars, and drums adapt to fit the different feel each song delivers. “It’s like if you took angsty 2000s punk rock (think like Anthony Raneri from Bayside) and put it in a blender with Ben Folds style piano melodies, threw in some jazz, added in some smooth orchestral elements, and sprinkled in a little Rufus Wainwright for good measure,” according to OK Sessions. Going from wildly upbeat songs that make the audience dance around uncontrollably (namely “Gestapo,” “Deserve,” and “That Doesn’t Happen,”) the Bastards are never lacking when it’s time to take it down a notch for the slow dance with songs like “Lightning,” “Annie,” and “Lucky to Have You.”  Hailing from the Oklahoma City metro, the band formed in 2016, including band leader Johnny Manchild (vocals, keys), and co-founding members: Ethan Neel (drums), Ben Wood (trumpet), and James Thompson (bass). Danny McGinn (trumpet), Chris Lashley (guitar, vocals), and Logan From (saxophone) joined the lineup to complete the Poor Bastards as we know them today.

Crush
Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards Lyrics

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Oh shit, I′m fucked up
I let a bit of liquor hit the bottom of my cup
They all said this wouldn't hurt but man they lied
Caught a feeling for you now
And it′s dragging me straight to hell yeah watch me
Die, d-d-die, die, d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-die

This conversation's going nowhere really fast

Watch the hands tick slower sand in grains are
Dropping in the glass at record lows
Eyes locked for years, gears are frozen in the moment
You are beauty, you are grace
You're every feel I′ve ever known

Crush me ′til I sleep, and you'll be gone by the morning
Hold my hands and keep, my head down under water
Lay me down so sweet, we can lay together
Maybe when I′m dead

Oh shit, I fucked up
My brain it swells and still there's liquor in my cup
Hair of the dog to get me going get me up
And get me out into the streets
Trying my best to go out and connect but watch me
Burn, b-b-burn, burn, b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-burn

Never been the type to fall flat on my ass
Now I′m lonely and I'm drinking ′til I'm passed out in the grass
Got this feeling in my guts that maybe this will never pass
But if I know anything, It's that nothing ever lasts

Crush me ′til I sleep, and you′ll be gone by the morning
Hold my hands and keep my head down under water
Lay me down so sweet, we can lay together
Maybe when I'm dead

Crush the pills and sniff and blush
And know I′ll never trust someone who has their fun
Playing with a loaded gun

Cut me down a size or two
I'm hypnotized by you
My favorite sedative, give you all I have to give
Make me question why I live
I′m in too deep so

Crush me 'til I sleep and you′ll be gone by the morning
Hold my hands and keep my head down under water

Lay me down so sweet, we can lay together
Maybe when I'm dead

Overall Meaning

The song "Crush" by Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards is about the overwhelming feeling of falling in love with someone who might not feel the same. The lyrics talk about using alcohol and drugs to cope with the pain and longing that comes with crushing on someone. The singer is stuck in a moment with the person they like, frozen in time and unable to move on. They want to be with this person even if it means being crushed and destroyed in the process.

The first verse describes being intoxicated and caught up in the moment, with the singer realizing that they have feelings for someone they shouldn't. The chorus expresses the desire to be with the person no matter the cost, even if it means being crushed or drowned. The second verse talks about the pain of unrequited love, with the singer feeling lost and alone. The bridge talks about how the singer is willing to give everything they have to this person, even if it means questioning their own existence.

Overall, the song captures the bittersweet feeling of falling for someone who may never reciprocate those feelings, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh shit, I′m fucked up
I am heavily intoxicated and not in control of my actions or thoughts.

I let a bit of liquor hit the bottom of my cup
I have been drinking alcohol, which has caused me to feel intoxicated.

They all said this wouldn't hurt but man they lied
People told me that my actions wouldn't have negative consequences, but they were wrong.

Caught a feeling for you now
I have developed strong emotions for someone.

And it′s dragging me straight to hell yeah watch me Die, d-d-die, die, d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-die
My emotions are so intense that I feel as though I am being pulled towards a terrible fate, possibly death.

This conversation's going nowhere really fast
The discussion between myself and another person is not productive and is quickly coming to an end.

Watch the hands tick slower sand in grains are Dropping in the glass at record lows
Time seems to be passing incredibly slowly, as if each second is taking longer than usual.

Eyes locked for years, gears are frozen in the moment You are beauty, you are grace You're every feel I′ve ever known
I have been captivated by this person for an extended period of time, and they embody all that I find attractive and admirable.

Crush me ′til I sleep, and you'll be gone by the morning Hold my hands and keep, my head down under water Lay me down so sweet, we can lay together Maybe when I′m dead
I would rather experience a painful, even deadly fate than be apart from this person whom I care deeply for, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with them.

My brain it swells and still there's liquor in my cup Hair of the dog to get me going get me up And get me out into the streets
Despite the negative effects of alcohol on my mental state, I continue to drink it in order to motivate me to leave my current location and socialize.

Trying my best to go out and connect but watch me Burn, b-b-burn, burn, b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-burn
I am attempting to connect with others, but my efforts are not working and instead are causing me emotional pain.

Never been the type to fall flat on my ass Now I′m lonely and I'm drinking ′til I'm passed out in the grass Got this feeling in my guts that maybe this will never pass But if I know anything, It's that nothing ever lasts
Although I have never experienced severe defeat before, I now find myself alone and drowning my sorrows in alcohol. I fear that my current situation may not improve, but I understand that all situations, good or bad, are temporary.

Crush the pills and sniff and blush And know I′ll never trust someone who has their fun Playing with a loaded gun
I would rather partake in dangerous behavior than trust someone who is willing to play with their own life or the lives of others.

Cut me down a size or two I'm hypnotized by you My favorite sedative, give you all I have to give Make me question why I live I′m in too deep so
I am willing to compromise aspects of my life, such as my personal growth, for the sake of my relationship with this person. They have become an addiction and a source of both pleasure and pain.

Crush me 'til I sleep and you′ll be gone by the morning Hold my hands and keep my head down under water Lay me down so sweet, we can lay together Maybe when I'm dead
I would rather experience a painful, even deadly fate than be apart from this person whom I care deeply for, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with them.

Writer(s): Jonathan Xavier Garrett

Contributed by Owen W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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