Push (Matchbox Twenty song)
| "Push" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Matchbox Twenty | ||||
| from the album Yourself or Someone Like You | ||||
| Released | May 27, 1997 | |||
| Format | ||||
| Recorded | 1996 | |||
| Genre | Post-grunge | |||
| Length | 3:58 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Writer(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Matt Serletic | |||
| Matchbox Twenty singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Push" is a song by American rock band Matchbox Twenty. It was released in May 1997 as the second single from their debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You. After landing "Long Day" on several rock radio stations paving the way, "Push" hit the top of the Modern Rock Tracks and became one of the band's most successful singles.
Controversy
When the song came out initially, some feminist groups were outraged and claimed the song was about abusing women, until frontman Rob Thomas explained that the man in the song (either himself or fictional) was the one being abused, either emotionally or physically, by a woman.[1] Thomas expressed surprise when he heard that the song was being misinterpreted as misogynistic. He added, "[A former girlfriend of mine] was an ingredient in the song—but other people have scarred me. I mean, I'm not gonna pay my third-grade librarian, who gave me shit about not returning Green Eggs and Ham."[1]
Music video
The video for "Push", directed by Nigel Dick, starts and ends with Rob Thomas playing with a puppet. Throughout the song, the band is seen playing in an alley. A couple of scenes feature Thomas chained to a wall. Another scene is of Thomas holding onto a barbed wire fence while the band stands in the background. He gets stuck by the fence but keeps putting his hands back on it. Thomas is also seen in a room containing a clock and a bed, though no windows are shown.
Track listing
- CD maxi single (Australia and Germany)
- "Push" – 3:59
- "Busted" (Acoustic) – 4:24
- "Tired" – 3:44
- CD single (Germany)
- "Push" – 3:59
- "Tired" – 3:44
In popular culture
An extract of the song was used in "Weird Al" Yankovic's song, "Polka Power!", off the album Running with Scissors.
Chart positions
| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[2] | 8 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 6 |
| Canada Alternative 30 (RPM) | 4 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[3] | 91 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[4] | 61 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 38 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | 5 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Top 40 | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks | 6 |
| US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | 4 |
| Preceded by "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind |
Billboard Modern Rock Tracks number-one single July 26, 1997 |
Succeeded by "Fly" by Sugar Ray |
References
- 1 2 Gardner, Elysa (September 5, 1997). "The Roaring 20's". Entertainment Weekly.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Matchbox 20 – Push". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "Musicline.de – Matchbox 20 Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Matchbox 20 – Push" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.