Rob Thomas Of Matchbox Twenty Spoke On The Callout To His Song 'Push' In 'Barbie' Movie

Jul 31, 2023

Rob Thomas, frontman of the iconic band Matchbox Twenty, expressed his joy at how their 1996 hit song "Push" became a standout musical moment in the popular 2023 "Barbie" film. As the fictional character Ken, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, strummed his guitar and sang the alt-rock anthem in front of Margot Robbie's Barbie, the scene took the audience on a journey through themes of emotional manipulation and toxic masculinity.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, "Barbie" boasted a star-studded soundtrack featuring pop sensations like Dua Lipa, Lizzo and Billie Eilish. However, it was Matchbox Twenty's "Push" that resonated most deeply, as it perfectly captured the inner turmoil of Ken, feeling adrift in Barbie's world and resorting to harmful ideologies.

For Thomas, the inclusion of "Push" in the film had a special significance. He co-wrote the song about an emotionally abusive ex-girlfriend during the '90s, a decade when manufactured angst permeated music, and vulnerability was not a common theme in songwriting. Looking back, Thomas realized the complexity of the lyrics and the deep emotions woven into the song, recognizing that it was a product of a time when therapy and self-awareness were not as openly discussed.

The success of "Push" was not without its share of controversy, as some listeners misinterpreted the chorus to be about physical abuse. However, Thomas acknowledged, in an exclusive interview with USA Today, that, at the time, the band's management intentionally fueled the controversy as a means of generating attention. Today, in a more enlightened era, the song is examined through a more critical lens, considering its portrayal of emotional manipulation and its effect on relationships.

As "Barbie" brought "Push" back into the spotlight, Thomas and Matchbox Twenty's contribution to the alt-rock genre and their impact on '90s music were celebrated anew. Initially, Thomas did not think it was the right idea to allow the song in the film, but then he found the whole concept hilarious. 

"I did this thinking I’d be the butt of the joke, and I was fine with that," Thomas said. "I’m pretty thick-skinned. But Julie Greenwald (from Atlantic Records) came to the Hollywood Bowl a month or two ago," he added. "She had just seen the movie and was like, 'You come out of it loving Ken and loving "Push."' And I was like, 'Aww. Alright, really good!'”

The director's personal connection with "Push" from her teenage years influenced the decision to feature it in the film as a means to evoke a sense of familiarity and emotion. Gerwig told Entertainment Weekly that the song was "playing all the time" when she was in the seventh grade, but she finally understood its meaning when she was in college. 

“Growing up, I loved that song,” Gerwig said. “And it wasn’t until college that I actually thought, ‘What is that song about?’ Just thinking about 13-year-old me singing along and really meaning it, I was like, 'That is so interesting.'

A week after "Barbie" dominated the box office in July 2023, Thomas, who has been on tour with Matchbox Twenty, dedicated "Push" to Gosling on one of their shows. The video of Thomas's performance has gone viral with over 1.1 million views and 14,000 shares. 

Have you seen the “Barbie” movie and this much-talked-about scene with Matchbox Twenty’s “Push”? Do you know someone who enjoyed that scene or is a fan of the song? Then pass this story along!