Push

Said I don't know if I've ever been good enough I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is cavin' in And I don't know if I've ever been really loved By a hand that's touched me And I feel like something's gonna give And I'm a little bit angry, well This ain't over, no, not here Not while I still need you around You don't owe me, we might change, yeah Yeah, we just might feel good I wanna push you around Well, I will, well, I will I wanna push you down Well, I will, well, I will I wanna take you for granted Well, I wanna take you for granted Yeah, yeah, well, I will She said I don't know why you ever would lie to me Like I'm a little untrustin' When I think that the truth is gonna hurt ya And I don't know why you couldn't just stay with me You couldn't stand to be near me When my face don't seem to want to shine 'Cause it's a little bit dirty, oh, well Well, don't just stand there, sayin' nice things to me 'Cause I've been cheated, I've been wronged and you You don't know me, yeah, well, I can't change Well, I won't do anything at all I wanna push you around Well, I will, well, I will I wanna push you down Well, I will, well, I will I wanna take you for granted Yeah, I wanna take you for granted Yeah, yeah, well, I will Oh, but don't bowl me over Just wait a minute, well, it kinda fell apart, things Things get so crazy, crazy Don't rush this, baby Don't rush this, baby, baby I wanna push you around Well, I will, well, I will I wanna push you down Well, I will, well, I will I wanna take you for granted, yeah, yeah, yeah I wanna take you, take you Yeah, well, I will I will, I will, I will, yeah Well, I will, well, I will, yeah Push you around And drag you down I wanna push you around Well, I will

"Push" delves into the complexities of relationships, emotional vulnerability, and the struggle with self-worth. The narrator opens up about feeling "rusty" and questions whether he's "ever been good enough" or "ever been really loved." These lines set the stage for a song that grapples with the insecurities and uncertainties that can plague romantic relationships or even one's relationship with oneself. The chorus — "I wanna push you around, well, I will, well, I will" — is fraught with tension. On one hand, it could be interpreted as the narrator's urge to assert control, especially when feeling vulnerable. On the other hand, it also has a paradoxical quality; the narrator may be exposing his darkest urges to reveal how flawed he is, as if pushing the other person to either accept or abandon him. "She said I don't know why you ever would lie to me" suggests a relationship fraught with mistrust and betrayal, adding another layer of complexity. The narrator acknowledges this betrayal, admitting that he can't stand to be near her when he feels unlovable and "a little bit dirty." It seems both parties in the relationship are struggling with their own insecurities and faults, leading to a toxic cycle of pushing each other away. "Don't rush this, baby" encapsulates the idea that relationships need time and space to evolve, especially when both individuals are carrying emotional baggage. It's almost as if the narrator is pausing to catch his breath, realizing that both he and his partner need to step back and reassess their actions and feelings. "Push" is a multi-layered song that doesn't offer easy answers but instead presents a raw, unfiltered look at emotional struggle and relational dynamics. The song continues to be discussed and analyzed for its deep emotional impact and remains a seminal track in Matchbox Twenty's career.

About

"Push," released in 1996, is one of Matchbox Twenty's most well-known tracks and is featured on their debut album, "Yourself or Someone Like You." Written by lead vocalist Rob Thomas, the song became a massive hit, propelling the band to mainstream success. With its raw, emotional lyrics and grunge-influenced alternative rock sound, "Push" struck a chord with many listeners, although it also sparked some controversy due to its lyrical content.

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