Push (Matchbox Twenty song)

"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"
ReleasedJune 10, 1997 (1997-06-10)
StudioTriclops Recording (Atlanta)
GenreAlternative rock[1]
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s)
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-inch vinyl, cassette, and CD single[5][6][7]
  1. "Push"  – 3:59
  2. "Tired"  – 3:44
  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 CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[31] Platinum 70,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States 1997 (1997) Rock radio
June 10, 1997 (1997-06-10) Contemporary hit radio [32]
Germany October 20, 1997 (1997-10-20)
  • CD
 [33]
United Kingdom March 23, 1998 (1998-03-23)
  • CD
  • cassette
 [34]

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

See also

References
  1. "The 79 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1997". Spin. p. 4. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  2. "PRODUCTIONS 1997". Nigel Dick - Director.
  3. Gardner, Elysa (September 5, 1997). "The Roaring 20's". Entertainment Weekly.
  4. "Push for Stardom Takes Matchbox 20 into the Big League". The Morning Call. March 13, 1998.
  5. Push (UK 12-inch vinyl liner notes). Matchbox Twenty. Atlantic Records. 1997. AT0021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Push (US cassette vinyl liner notes). Matchbox Twenty. Atlantic Records. 1997. AT0021C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Push (European CD single liner notes). Matchbox Twenty. Lava Records. 1997. 7567-98011-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Push (Australian maxi-single liner notes). Matchbox Twenty. Atlantic Records. 1997. 7567-95590-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Yourself or Someone Like You (Inlay cover). Matchbox Twenty. Lava Records. 1996. 7567927212.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. "Matchbox 20 – Push". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  11. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3348." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  12. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3397." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  13. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 3266." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  14. "Matchbox 20 – Push" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  15. "Tipparade-lijst van week 12, 1998". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  16. "Matchbox 20 – Push" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  18. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  19. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  20. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  21. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  22. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  23. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  24. "Matchbox Twenty Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  25. "RIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". ARIA. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  26. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  27. "RPM '97 Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  28. "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Alternative Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  29. "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media. December 27, 1997. p. YE-83. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  30. "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Top 40 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media. December 27, 1997. p. YE-73. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  31. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  32. "New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1200. June 6, 1997. p. 39.
  33. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts: Matchbox 20 - Push". Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  34. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 21, 1998. p. 37.
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