What do the Lyrics to the Dave Matthews Band Song “Crash into Me” Mean?

The 1996 title song to the seven-time platinum-selling album by the Dave Matthews Band, “Crash into Me” has long been a fan-favorite. It’s certainly the Virginia-born Dave Matthews Band’s most popular and well-known song. And it’s got that sweet 12-string acoustic sound.

But what does the song mean? What are the lyrics all about? Who has whose chain and what ball is tied to who, exactly? We will dive into all of this below.

Peeping Tom

“Crash Into Me,” which hit No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1997, has been featured by notable artists like Stevie Nicks and has been highlighted in the recent indie film, Lady Bird. Yet, its subject is a bit shady, despite the sweet-sounding lyrics and performance by frontman Matthews.

Oh I watch you there
Through the window
And i stare at you
You wear nothing but you
Wear it so well
Tied up and twisted,
The way I’d like to be
For you, for me, come crash
Into me

That verse, however, comes near the end of the song. All prior, Matthews is paying homage to the subject of his affection. However, she seems to be taken.

You’ve got your ball
You’ve got your chain
Tied to me tight tie me up again
Who’s got their claws
In you my friend
Into your heart I’ll beat again
Sweet like candy to my soul
Sweet you rock
And sweet you roll
Lost for you I’m so lost for you
You come crash into me
And i come into you,
I come into you
In a boys dream
In a boys dream

A Fantasy

In the end, the singer is left to fantasize about the object of his affection. He promises so much—but, really, what sprung man doesn’t? The woman has a. likely heard it all before or b. doesn’t even know he’s there watching.

We aren’t left with much of a resolution to the story. Perhaps it’s a song the looker sings nightly. Maybe he’s singing it to the moon, a hound dog after all.

I’m the king of the castle
You’re the dirty rascal
Crash into me
Oh see you crash into me baby,
‘Cause I am swimming in your seas
And in your ocean
And I feel your waves come and crash into me
Oh yes I see the waves come and crash into me
Oh yes I feel the waves come and crash into me

I will be your dixie chicken,
If you’ll be my Tennessee lamb,
We can walk together
Down in Dixieland

Final Thoughts

While one of the sweetest sounding songs, “Crash into Me” is also one of Matthews’ strangest. It’s also one of those songs, given its peeping Tom nature, that makes one wonder: would this be released today? Nevertheless, it remains one of DMB’s most classic and beloved songs by fans. In the end, it’s a song of worship, even if a tad unnerving.

Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images On Location