Crush- Smashing Pumpkins

You wrap your arms around
A feeling that surrounds
Like a 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


I chose this song not only because Smashing Pumpkins is one of my favorite bands, but because this song, like many of their other songs has poetic devices. Within "Crush" there are a few devices that stand out the most, such as ambiguity and simile "You wrap your arms around  A feeling that surrounds  Like a liquid peppermint" (lines 1-3). I believe that this is a comparison between a man's love for a woman and drug use. It is as if her love is a drug-inducing chemical for him, making him high, making him "shiver". However, it could also mean that like peppermint, her love is something that takes his breath away, a cooling sensation that brings contentment. This song is clearly about an infatuation, a "Crush" on someone, laced with drug innuendos and metaphoric devices, but it bring a sense of gustatory imagery along with it by using words such as "peppermint" and "taste the drinks that she served"( line 4). This song is very ambiguous as a whole and I think the point of the song is to form your own interpretation.