13 Beats Crush Edition

Whether it’s someone in your class or that one person you always pass on the route to class, we’ve all had our fair share of campus crushes. Having a crush can be a welcome distraction from schoolwork, and it makes the numerous love songs on the radio all the more relateable. You might talk to them every day, or you may not even know their last name. Either way, this week’s 13 Beats features sweet tracks to reminisce (and dote) on this year’s crushes:

1. “Electric Love” – BORNS (2015)

“Baby you’re like lightning in a bottle,” sings Garrett Clark Borns in this airy song about the electricity his lover makes him feel. The dreamy feeling of the track is supported by a TikTok trend featuring people making the first move on their crushes to the bridge.

2. “Can I Call You Tonight” – Dayglow (2019)

True to its title, “Can I Call You Tonight” is a summer track about deciding whether or not to call up a crush. Lyrics like, “I’m trying to make up my mind, just how I feel,” show the inner turmoil that comes with deciding whether or not to express one’s feelings.

3. “Jenny” – Studio Killers (2020)

“Jenny” captures the friends-to-lovers trope in its electric and upbeat sound. “I wanna ruin our friendship, we should be lovers instead,” belts Chubby Cherry, proclaiming the love he feels for his close friend.  

4. “Melting” – Kali Uchis (2015)

“You got some soft lips and some pearly whites,” sings Kali Uchis in this dreamy ballad admiring her lover. Uchis’ sweet tone coupled with the slow tempo of the music emphasizes the slow burn of having a crush.

5. “Make You Mine” – Public (2019)

John Vaughn sings about the feelings he’s developed for his lover and his desire to spark something more with them. Lyrics like “You know that I won’t stop until I make you mine” show how much Vaughn wants to be with his lover.

6. “Sparks Fly” – Taylor Swift (2010)

“Sparks Fly” is bubbly and bright, representing the happiness of finding someone who you really like. Taylor Swift repeats, “I see sparks fly whenever you smile” to articulate the way seeing her lover makes her feel.

7. “Out of my League” – Fitz and The Tantrums (2013)

“From time to time I pinch myself because I think my girl mistakes me for someone else” sings Fitz, in disbelief that the girl he likes could actually like him back. The upbeat track is relatable to listeners who have felt low self-esteem and assumed that the person they liked wouldn’t like them back.

8. “Daphne Blue ” – The Band Camino (2019)

Featuring heavy guitars and an upbeat indie rock sound, “Daphne Blue” is an anthem about colors reminding someone of the person they’re in love with. Lyrics like “I hesitate to say the ocean can hold a candle to your eyes” show just how captivating someone’s beauty can be.

9. “I Wanna Be Yours” – Arctic Monkeys (2013)

“I Wanna Be Yours” reworks John Cooper Clarke’s poem with the same name into a slow and sultry song. Alex Turner repeats “I wanna be yours” throughout the chorus to drive home his desire to be with the person he’s crushing on.  

10, “goodnight n go” – Ariana Grande (2018)

“Why’d you have to be so cute? It’s impossible to ignore you” sings Ariana Grande in this upbeat and poppy track. Grande sings about the playful relationship she wants to have with her crush.

11. “Yellow” – Coldplay (2000)

A classic Coldplay song, “Yellow” details the beauty of an unrequited love. Lyrics like “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you and everything you do” show how enamored and mesmerized Chris Martin is by the girl he loves.

12. “Dandelions” – Ruth B. (2017)

“Dandelions” is an innocent and sweet track about dreaming of being with your crush. “I’m in a field of dandelions, wishing on everyone that you’d be mine” sings Ruth B., showing just how much she wants her crush to like her back.

13. “Still Into You” – Paramore (2013)

“I should be over all the butterflies, but I’m into you” belts Hayley Williams, admitting that she still has feelings for someone she thought she was over. Paramore pairs their classic rock sound with emotion-filled, lovey lyrics.