Thursday December 2, 2021 ”Push” Matchbox 20
I was driving to my hotel from the airport in Atlanta late one night in 1996 listening to the local rock radio station and caught an interview with a new band and thought to myself, ‘these guys are pretty good but they’ll never get anywhere with that stupid name’. The band was Matchbox 20 and contrary to my supposed prescience, their debut album sold over thirteen million copies and was a US top ten album.
Originally formed in Orlando FL in 1995 as Tabitha’s Secret, Tabitha being the witch in training daughter on the TV series Bewitched, they decided to change the band name. Perhaps in fear of being bewitched themselves...or sued.
The new foolish name? According to drummer Paul Douchette he got the name from a softball jersey worn by a patron of the restaurant where he and lead singer Rob Thomas were waiting tables. When he presented it to the band they all said they hated it...so it stuck.
According to co-songwriter Rob Thomas, “Push” was written about a breakup with an early girlfriend who after their parting of the ways gave all of his clothes to charity. Because of its seeming violent suggestions several feminist groups attempted to have the song banned but it didn’t work as the song was racing up the charts...commercialism wins again.
Stay safe and well...I had a friend who told me his former girlfriend sent him a mixtape that opened with this song, so once again you can see how music can serve a redemptive purpose.