The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Th… Read Full Bio ↴The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago. The band was formed in 1988 by Billy Corgan and James Iha, with bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joining shortly after. Despite going through many lineup changes, the current lineup is identical to the original, with the exception of Wretzky, who would end up leaving the band just before their initial breakup in 2000.

Disavowing the punk rock roots of many of their alt-rock contemporaries, they have a diverse, densely layered, and guitar-heavy sound, containing elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, dream pop, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegazing, and, in later recordings, electronica. Corgan is the group's primary songwriter; his musical ambitions and cathartic lyrics have shaped the band's albums and songs, which have been described as "anguished, bruised reports from Billy Corgan's nightmare-land".

The Smashing Pumpkins broke into the musical mainstream with their second album, 1993's Siamese Dream. The group built its audience with extensive touring and their 1995 follow-up, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. 1998's Adore would just barely miss out, peaking at number two. With 30 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, drug use, and diminishing record sales led to a 2000 break-up.

In 2006, Corgan and Chamberlin reconvened to record a new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. After touring throughout 2007 and 2008 with a lineup including new guitarist Jeff Schroeder, Chamberlin left the band in early 2009. Later that year, Corgan began a new recording series with a rotating lineup of musicians entitled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, which encompassed the release of stand-alone singles, compilation EP releases, and two full albums that also fell under the project's scope—Oceania in 2012 and Monuments to an Elegy in 2014. Chamberlin and Iha officially rejoined the band in February 2018. The reunited lineup has released three albums so far—Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. in November 2018, Cyr in November 2020, and ATUM in 2023.

Crush
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You wrap your arms around
A feeling that surrounds
Like liquid peppermint
Just taste the drinks that she served

And this feeling shivers down your spine
Love comes in colors I can't deny
All that matters is love, love, your love

You're sleeping in your bed
Just rest your weary head
Maybe you shouldn't care
Throw away those dreams and dare

And I wonder if it matters to me
Love comes in colors I can't deny
All that shimmers is love, love, your love

Your love
Your love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Crush" by The Smashing Pumpkins paint a vivid picture of emotional and physical intoxication. The singer is enraptured by a woman ("she") who serves him liquid peppermint drinks, a sensory experience that seems to embody the way she makes him feel. The feeling shivers down his spine, suggesting a powerful physical response to her presence, and he can't deny the colors of love that he experiences - perhaps suggesting that it's a complex, multi-faceted emotion that can't be reduced to a single shade.

The refrains emphasize the importance of love, and specifically, the singer's love for this woman. The repetition of "all that matters is love, love, your love," and "all that shimmers is love, love, your love" suggests that nothing else is as important or valuable as this feeling. However, there's a hint of uncertainty and self-doubt in the verses. The singer tells himself to "throw away those dreams and dare," as if he's unsure if he's worthy of this woman's attention or if he should pursue her. He wonders if it matters to him - or if he should be indifferent - but ultimately, the power of love seems to win out over any second-guessing.

Line by Line Meaning

You wrap your arms around
You embrace a sensation that encircles you

A feeling that surrounds
An emotion that engulfs you

Like liquid peppermint
Similar to a fluid form of mint

Just taste the drinks that she served
Try the beverages that she provided

And this feeling shivers down your spine
And this sensation sends a shiver down your back

Love comes in colors I can't deny
Love expresses itself in ways that I cannot reject

All that matters is love, love, your love
The only thing of significance is love, specifically your love

You're sleeping in your bed
You are resting in your sleeping quarters

Just rest your weary head
Simply lay your tired head down

Maybe you shouldn't care
Perhaps you should not be concerned

Throw away those dreams and dare
Discard those aspirations and be bold