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"Push" is a song by American rock band Matchbox Twenty. It was released in 1997 as the second single from their debut album, Yourself or Someone Like You (1996). 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
B-side	"Tired"
Released	June 10, 1997 (1997-06-10)
Studio	Triclops Recording (Atlanta)
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	3:59
Label	Atlantic Lava
Songwriter(s)	Rob Thomas Matt Serletic
Producer(s)	Matt Serletic
Matchbox Twenty singles chronology
"Long Day" (1996) "Push" (1997) "3AM" (1997)
Music video
"Push" on YouTube

Music video

The video for "Push" was directed by Nigel Dick, and shot March 27–28, 1997, in Los Angeles.[2] The video 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.[3] 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."[3] 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)."[4]

Track listings and formats

• 12" vinyl, cassette, and CD single[5][6][7]

1. "Push"  – 3:59
2. "Tired"  – 3:44

• Maxi-single[8]

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

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the Yourself or Someone Like You album liner notes.[9]

• Rob Thomas – vocals, writer
• Kyle Cook – lead guitar, background vocals
• Adam Gaynor – rhythm guitar, background vocals
• Brian Yale – bass
• Paul Doucette – drums
• Matt Serletic – writer, producer, mixing, composition and arrangement
• Jeff Tomei – engineering
• Greg Archilla – mixing
• John Nielson – recording assistant
• Malcolm Springer – mixing assistant
• Stephen Marcussen – mastering
• Don C. Tyler – digital editing

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[30]	Platinum	70,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	1997 (1997)	Rock radio	Atlantic Lava Melisma
	June 10, 1997 (1997-06-10)	Contemporary hit radio		[31]
United Kingdom	March 23, 1998 (1998-03-23)	CD cassette		[32]

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

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