Push (Matchbox Twenty song)

"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" topped the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and became one of the band's most successful singles. At the time of its release, "Push" was controversial for its lyrics, with many critics accusing the band of glorifying domestic violence.

"Push"
Single by Matchbox Twenty
from the album Yourself or Someone Like You
Released	May 1997
Recorded	1996
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	3:58
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Rob Thomas Matt Serletic
Producer(s)	Matt Serletic
Matchbox Twenty singles chronology
"Long Day" (1996) "Push" (1997) "3 A.M." (1997)

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.

Controversy

When the song came out initially, some feminist groups were outraged and claimed the song was about abusing women, even though frontman Rob Thomas stated that the man in the song (either himself or fictional) was the one being abused, either emotionally or physically, by a woman.[2] 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."[2]In an interview with The Morning Call, Thomas described the song as falling in and out love, with bass guitarist Brian Yale adding "We were kind of surprised when we heard all that stuff. [Our response] was, 'Wow, really? No, it's not about that.' I mean, just meet us. We're not the manliest of men all the time. I'm a short guy. I don't think I could kick anyone's (butt)."[3]

Track listing

• CD maxi single (Australia and Germany)

1. "Push" – 3:59
2. "Busted" (Acoustic) – 4:24
3. "Tired" – 3:44

• CD single (Germany)

1. "Push" – 3:59
2. "Tired" – 3:44

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts Chart (1997–1998) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[4] 8 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] 6 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[6] 38 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[7] 4 Germany (Official German Charts)[8] 91 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 61 Poland (LP3)[10] 45 Scotland (OCC)[11] 30 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 38 US Radio Songs (Billboard)[13] 5 US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[14] 2 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[15] 6 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[16] 1 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[17] 4 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[18] 3

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Australia (ARIA)[19] 33 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[20] 33 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[21] 65 Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[22] 24 Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[23] Platinum 70,000^^ ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

In popular culture

An extract of the song was used in "Weird Al" Yankovic's song, "Polka Power!", off the album Running with Scissors.

See also

• List of number-one alternative singles of 1997 (U.S.)

References

1. "The 79 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1997". Spin. p. 4. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
2. Gardner, Elysa (September 5, 1997). "The Roaring 20's". Entertainment Weekly.
3. https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1998-03-13-3182232-story.html
4. "Australian-charts.com – Matchbox 20 – Push". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
5. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3348." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
6. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3397." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
7. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3266." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
8. "Offiziellecharts.de – Matchbox 20 – Push". GfK Entertainment Charts.
9. "Dutchcharts.nl – Matchbox 20 – Push" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
10. "Notowanie nr846" (in Polish). LP3. April 17, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
12. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
13. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
14. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
15. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
16. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
17. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
18. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
19. "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Singles 1997". ARIA. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
20. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
21. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
22. "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Alternative Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
23. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2019.

External links

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics