"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 "Long Day" is the first single and second track from Matchbox 20's debut album, '' Yourself or Someone Like You'' (1996). The cover of the single features a parody of a Diamond Matches box. The song peaked at number eight on the US Mainstream ...

" on several rock radio stations paving the way, "Push" topped the US

Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Airplay (formerly known as Modern Rock Tracks (1988–2009) and Alternative Songs (2009–2020)) is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in ''Billboard'' magazine since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-playe ...

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.

Music video

The video for "Push" was directed by Nigel Dick, and shot March 27–28, 1997, in Los Angeles. 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. Thomas expressed surprise when he heard that the song was being misinterpreted as misogynistic. He added, " former girlfriend of minewas 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 ''

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.''" In an interview with ''

The Morning Call ''The Morning Call'' is a daily newspaper in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1883, it is the second longest continuously published newspaper in the Lehigh Valley, after '' The Express-Times''. In 2020, the newspaper permanently closed its ...

'', Thomas described the song as falling in and out love, with bass guitarist

Brian Yale Brian Joseph Yale (born November 14, 1968) is an American musician who is the bass guitarist for the band Matchbox Twenty and has been nominated for four Grammy Awards. Early life and education Yale grew up in Orange, Connecticut. He graduated ...

adding "We were kind of surprised when we heard all that stuff. ur responsewas, '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)."

Track listings and formats

* 12" vinyl, cassette, and CD single # "Push" – 3:59 # "Tired" – 3:44 * Maxi-single # "Push" – 3:59 # "Busted" (acoustic) – 4:24 # "Tired" – 3:44

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel are adapted from the ''Yourself or Someone Like You'' album liner notes. * Rob Thomas – vocals, writer *

Kyle Cook David Kyle Cook (born August 29, 1975) is an American musician best known as a member of the band Matchbox Twenty, serving as the lead guitarist, banjo player, backing and occasional lead vocalist. Career Matchbox Twenty Kyle Cook joined Matc ...

– lead guitar, background vocals * Adam Gaynor – rhythm guitar, background vocals *

– bass * Paul Doucette – drums *

Matt Serletic Matthew Michael Serletic II (born 1970 or 1971) is an American record producer, songwriter, and music executive. Career As a teenager, Serletic joined a band with members of Collective Soul, a group for which he would later produce. Serletic ...

– writer, producer, mixing, composition and arrangement * Jeff Tomei – engineering * Greg Archilla – mixing * John Nielson – recording assistant * Malcolm Springer – mixing assistant *

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– mastering * Don C. Tyler – digital editing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

Release history

In popular culture

An extract of the song was used in

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's song, "

Polka Power! Polka is a dance and genre of dance music originating in nineteenth-century Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. Though associated with Czech culture, polka is popular throughout Europe and the Americas. History Etymology The t ...

", off the album '' Running with Scissors''.

References

{{Authority control Matchbox Twenty songs 1996 songs 1997 singles Atlantic Records singles Lava Records singles Song recordings produced by Matt Serletic Songs about domestic violence Songs written by Matt Serletic Songs written by Rob Thomas (musician) Music videos directed by Nigel Dick