Push Come to Shove

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a fatalistic acceptance of life's unpredictable nature, quickly pivoting to a core truth: "Push come to shove, It's all about love." This establishes a tension between life's randomness and a guiding principle. The immediate emotional texture is one of resigned wisdom mixed with profound affection, as "the sight of your smile fills my heart with light." The verses explore the mundane and challenging aspects of existence, noting "days when tedium rules" and even wishing for such simple boredom on "others when you wish that were so." This contrast highlights life's varied difficulties, making the repeated assertion that "It's all about love" feel less like a naive platitude and more like a hard-won conclusion. The phrase "Or so it would seem in the great to and fro" adds a subtle layer of philosophical distance, hinting that this truth is observed rather than simply felt. The Bridge offers a striking shift, presenting grand, almost fantastical hypotheticals: "I could sail what's left of the seven seas," or "swim with the bears where the ice used to be." These vivid, imaginative scenarios paint a picture of escapism or perhaps a playful self-indulgence ("blow myself a kiss"). Yet, this whimsical flight is abruptly grounded by the stark declaration, "But reality calls and it comes down to this," forcefully pulling the narrator back to the central, undeniable importance of the loved one. This interplay between life's uncertainties, the allure of fantasy, and the unwavering core of affection makes the lyrics deeply resonant. The loved one isn't just a comfort; they are the "axis it all spins around," a powerful metaphor for their foundational role. By acknowledging the "great to and fro" of life and the pull of escapism, the lyrics elevate the simple declarations of "your smile fills my heart with light" and "the ring of your laugh is the sweetest of sounds" into profound affirmations of purpose and joy amidst chaos.