"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.
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]
^Push (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Matchbox 20. Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Melisma Records. 1997. AT0021, 7567-98011-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Push (European CD single liner notes). Matchbox 20. Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Melisma Records. 1997. AT0021CD, 7567-95590-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Push (Australian CD single liner notes). Matchbox 20. Atlantic Records, Lava Records, Melisma Records. 1997. 7567-95590-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)