"Crush" is a monster of a song. It's over eight minutes long on the album, but honestly, it feels like it passes in about three seconds because of that hypnotic, walking bassline. When Dave Matthews Band dropped their third studio album, Before These Crowded Streets, in April 1998, they were already the biggest thing in the world. They had just dethroned the Titanic soundtrack from the top of the Billboard 200—no small feat considering that movie was everywhere.
But while "Don't Drink the Water" was the heavy, political lead, and "Stay (Wasting Time)" was the gospel-infused summer anthem, Dave Matthews Band Crush became the soulful heart of the record. It's a song about worship. Not the religious kind, though. It’s the kind where you’re so head-over-heels for someone that the world literally feels like it’s spinning the wrong way.
Why Jay-Z is Obsessed With This Track
You wouldn't necessarily put Dave Matthews and Jay-Z in the same room, but Hova has gone on record saying "Crush" is his favorite DMB song. It makes sense if you think about the rhythm. The song is basically built on a jazz-fusion skeleton.
Dave actually told a pretty hilarious story to Playboy back in 2004 about seeing Jay-Z at a club in Florida. He wanted to go up and tell him he was a "badass," but he got nervous. He called himself a "spineless prick" for not saying hello. Eventually, the two did cross paths at events like Live 8, but the mutual respect for the musicianship in "Crush" remains one of those cool, genre-crossing trivia bits that fans love.
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The Recording at Electric Lady Studios
The band didn't just stumble into this sound. They recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in NYC and The Plant in Sausalito. Steve Lillywhite, the producer who basically helped define the DMB sound, was at the helm.
- Stefan Lessard’s Bassline: That opening riff? It’s iconic. It sets a smoky, late-night mood that the band rarely touched on their earlier, peppier albums.
- The Length: The album version is 8:09. Radio stations had to butcher it down to about 4 minutes to play it, which kinda ruins the buildup if you ask me.
- The Gear: Dave used his signature acoustic style, but Tim Reynolds—who wasn't an official member yet but played on everything—added those electric swells that make the bridge feel so massive.
The Lyrics: Sweet or Just a Bit Creepy?
There is always a debate about Dave’s lyrics. People often confuse "Crush" with "Crash Into Me." While "Crash" is famously from the perspective of a Peeping Tom (Dave admitted this on VH1 Storytellers), "Crush" is much more of a straightforward, albeit intense, love song.
He sings about sitting, smoking, and feeling high. It’s domestic. It’s about watching a partner sleep and wondering if tomorrow can be as "wondrous" as that moment. It’s got that line, "Lovely lady, let me drink you please," which is classic Dave—a bit over the top, very thirsty, but ultimately coming from a place of adoration.
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Live Versions That Top the Studio
If you’ve ever been to a DMB show, you know that "Crush" is a staple. It’s a "bathroom break" song for some because of the long jams, but for the die-hards, it’s the peak of the set.
- The Central Park Concert (2003): This is widely considered the "definitive" live version. Stefan’s bass solo at the beginning is legendary, and the late LeRoi Moore’s saxophone work at the end is just... wow.
- Live at Radio City (2007): This is just Dave and Tim Reynolds. Without the full band, you really hear how intricate the guitar work is. It’s stripped back but loses none of the intensity.
- The Gorge: Any recording from their annual Labor Day weekend stint at The Gorge is usually top-tier, mostly because the band treats that venue like their home turf.
The song has evolved over thirty years. After LeRoi Moore passed away in 2008, Jeff Coffin took over the horn duties, and Buddy Strong eventually added a soulful organ layer that wasn't there in the '90s. The song is a living thing. It breathes differently every night.
The Technical Side of the "Crush" Sound
Musically, the song is fascinating because it’s not a standard 4/4 pop song in spirit. It’s got a 6/8 feel that swings. Carter Beauford, who is arguably one of the greatest drummers alive, plays with this incredible "open-handed" technique that gives the percussion a light, airy feel despite how hard he’s actually hitting the skins.
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The song reached #11 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It wasn't their highest-charting hit—"The Space Between" probably takes that title—but it has more "staying power" in the cultural zeitgeist of the jam band scene.
Actionable Tips for New Listeners
If you're just getting into Dave Matthews Band or you want to appreciate "Crush" on a deeper level, do these three things:
- Listen to the full album version first. Don't settle for the 4-minute radio edit. You need those four minutes of instrumental buildup at the end to get the full effect.
- Watch the Central Park video. It’s on YouTube. Watch the way the band communicates without talking. It’s a masterclass in ensemble playing.
- Check out the 25th Anniversary Vinyl. Before These Crowded Streets was out of print on vinyl for years, making it a "holy grail" for collectors. It was finally re-released recently with much better mastering than the original 1998 CDs.
"Crush" is more than just a 90s relic. It’s a sophisticated piece of jazz-rock that holds up because it feels authentic. It’s messy, it’s long, and it’s unapologetically romantic.
To truly experience the song's depth, track down the 2003 Central Park Concert recording and pay close attention to the interplay between the violin and saxophone during the final three minutes. It remains the gold standard for how the band transforms a studio love song into a communal, improvisational experience.