Crush – English Lyrics

• By: Zara Larsson

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the complexities of modern relationships through Zara Larsson's song "Crush." This track offers a great opportunity to learn English vocabulary related to emotions and relationships, all wrapped in an infectious pop melody. What makes the song special is its honest portrayal of a common yet often unspoken dilemma, making it both relatable and a great conversation starter for language learners.

[English]

Talking to you

Gives me butterflies

Wanna text you all the time

I can't help that I feel like this

Talking to you

Staying up all night

Yeah, he knows something ain't right

But it's innocent till we kiss

In the grey zone of morality

Feeling dangerous when you're calling me

Something 'bout the secrecy of us

Then it hits me like reality

I can't lose him to a fantasy

It ain't heartbreak, but it still hurts enough

Oh, baby, I'm crushed

Crush

It will never be us

That's why they call it a crush

It will never be love

It's been a while

Since I hit you back

Me and him, we had had a chat

And I think it's best I don't reply

It has been a while

But I can't let you go

And I should have let you know

But I'm typing it right now

Got me wonderin' if it's destiny

Or am I just being messy

All I know is I'm loving the rush

Then it hits me like reality

I can't lose him to a fantasy

It ain't heartbreak. but it still hurts enough

Oh, baby, I'm crushed

Crush

It will never be us

That's why they call it a crush

Crush

It will never be love

What's the need for destruction?

This might get ugly

You will ruin my life

Tell me

Why do I crave your attention

I got someone at home who treats me right

It's only just a

Just a crush

Crush

Just a crush

Crush

Just a crush

Crush

Just a

Crush, crush, crush

Just a crush

Crush

Just a crush

Crush

Oh, baby, I'm crushed

Crush

It will never be us

That's why they call it a crush

Just a crush

It will never be love

Be love, no, no, no

No, no, no, no, no

Oh, baby, I'm crushed

That's why they call it a crush

It will never be love

Crush

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
crush /krʌʃ/ B2	noun - a strong but short‑lived romantic attraction verb - to press or squeeze with force
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - deep affection or strong feeling of attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone
heartbreak /ˈhɑrtˌbreɪk/ B2	noun - emotional pain caused by the loss of love
fantasy /ˈfæntəsi/ B2	noun - an imaginative creation; something imagined that is not real
destiny /ˈdɛstəni/ C1	noun - the events that will inevitably happen in the future
butterflies /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/ B1	noun - insects with colorful wings; also a feeling of nervous excitement
dangerous /ˈdeɪnʤərəs/ B1	adjective - likely to cause harm or injury
secrecy /ˈsiːkrəsi/ B2	noun - the condition of being secret or hidden
ruin /ˈruːɪn/ B2	verb - to destroy or cause great damage to something
attention /əˈtɛnʃən/ B1	noun - notice, focus, or consideration given to something or someone
messy /ˈmɛsi/ B1	adjective - untidy or disordered
destruction /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/ C1	noun - the act of destroying something
ugly /ˈʌgli/ A2	adjective - unpleasant to look at; unattractive
rush /rʌʃ/ B1	noun - a sudden feeling of excitement or a quick movement verb - to move quickly or hurry
reality /riˈælɪti/ B2	noun - the state of things as they actually exist
lose /luːz/ A1	verb - to fail to keep or maintain something
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to experience an emotion or sensation
want /wɒnt/ A1	verb - to desire or wish for something

Key Grammar Structures

• Talking to you gives me butterflies

  ➔ Gerund phrase as subject, Present Simple

  ➔ The **'Talking to you'** acts as the subject of the sentence, a gerund phrase. **'Gives'** is in the present simple tense.

• I can't help that I feel like this

  ➔ Modal Verb ('can't') + Infinitive, Subordinate Clause

  ➔ The modal verb **'can't'** followed by the base form of the verb **'help'**. The clause **'that I feel like this'** functions as a subordinate clause.

• But it's innocent till we kiss

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Time (till/until)

  ➔ **'Till we kiss'** is an adverbial clause of time, indicating when the state of being innocent ends.

• Something 'bout the secrecy of us

  ➔ Noun Phrase, Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ **'Something'** acts as a noun phrase. **'About the secrecy of us'** is a prepositional phrase modifying the noun phrase.

• Then it hits me like reality

  ➔ Simile, Subject-Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase (indirect object)

  ➔ Uses the simile **'like reality'** for comparison. The structure is a sentence structure : Subject-Verb-Object-Prepositional Phrase

• I can't lose him to a fantasy

  ➔ Modal Verb ('can't') + Infinitive, Prepositional Phrase

  ➔ The modal verb **'can't'** followed by the base form of the verb **'lose'**. **'To a fantasy'** is a prepositional phrase.

• It ain't heartbreak, but it still hurts enough

  ➔ Contraction, coordinating conjunction, intensifier

  ➔ **'Ain't'** is a contraction of is/are/am not. Uses the coordinating conjunction **'but'**. **'Enough'** is an intensifier.

• It will never be us

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' + verb be

  ➔ Uses the future simple tense construction, where **'will'** is an auxiliary verb and **'be'** is the main verb.

• Got me wonderin' if it's destiny

  ➔ Past Participle, Gerund, Conditional Clause (implied)

  ➔ **'Got'** (past participle, informal), **'wonderin'** (gerund), **'if it's destiny'** (Implied conditional clause, wondering if something is true).