The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
She said, I don't know if I've ever been good enough
I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is caving 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
I will
She said, I don't know why you ever would lie to me
Like I'm a little untrusting 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 wanna shine
'Cause it's a little bit dirty
Oh well, don't just stand there
Say 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, no
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 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, I will, I will, yeah
Push you around and drag you down
I wanna push you around
Yeah, I will
I'm a little bit rusty, and I think my head is caving 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
I will
She said, I don't know why you ever would lie to me
Like I'm a little untrusting 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 wanna shine
'Cause it's a little bit dirty
Oh well, don't just stand there
Say 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, no
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 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, I will, I will, yeah
Push you around and drag you down
I wanna push you around
Yeah, I will
Lyrics submitted by punkmebabygal
Push Lyrics as written by Robert Kelly Thomas Matthew Michael Ii Serletic
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
the story of a girl who's been damaged, and she has a guy who can help her but he feels hurt by the way she treats him, and he's conflicted about wether to stay around her or not she knows she does this, but she just wants him to be everything she feels she needs, she's going to hurt him, use him, and she knows it and she's sorry for it, but she feels she can't change either way and he should just put up with it and be what she needs!
i haven't seen Rob's interview where he talks bout how 'it's about HIM being pushed around', annoying to find on Youtube, i've only seen Rob's comments before live performance, but he makes light of the fact that they were bashed for being 'immoral to women's values', i'm assuming because the song doesn't actual demean women at all lol
You nailed it!
You nailed it!