Pushin' Forward Back
Temple of the Dog Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mother mother found me on her step
Gracious mother held me to her breast Until the day I started pushin'
Too late to cry she turned away I started pushin'
I saw no future in this lack
I started pushin'
Pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back

Baby brother clinging to her hair
Gracious mother pleading, "not another soul to bare"
He started pushin'
All my kings have fallen down
I started pushin'
Fallen heroes feed the ground
I started pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back

Fallin' down, now I know her
I know I'll never drown, drown, drown
Fallin' down, now I know her
I know I'll never drown, drown, drown

Ah, I was pushin'
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back

I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back




I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Pushing Forward Back" by Temple of the Dog describe the struggles and difficulties of life, as well as the determination to move forward despite them. The song begins with the singer being embraced by his mother but eventually reaching a point where he feels the need to push forward even if it means his mother turning away. The lyrics suggest that the singer sees no future in his present state and must keep pushing forward to find a way out.


The second verse continues the theme of struggle, this time with a younger brother involved. The singer describes his own kings falling down and heroes feeding the ground, implying that he has experienced loss and defeat. However, he refuses to give up and keeps pushing forward. The chorus repeats the phrase "pushin' forward back" four times, emphasizing the idea that moving forward can sometimes feel like a backwards motion.


The lyrics are open to interpretation, but it seems likely that the song is about perseverance and the need to keep moving forward despite obstacles. The imagery of maternal love, fallen heroes, and pushing forward creates a powerful emotional message that resonates with listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

Mother mother found me on her step
The singer was found on someone's doorstep as a child.


Gracious mother held me to her breast
The singer's kind mother nursed and cared for them.


Until the day I started pushin'
Until the day the singer began working hard to achieve their goals.


Too late to cry she turned away
The mother was disappointed in the artist's choices and left them to their own devices.


I saw no future in this lack
The artist felt like they had no future and needed to work harder to make something of themselves.


Pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
The singer is constantly pushing themselves to move forward but feels like their efforts are not getting them anywhere.


Baby brother clinging to her hair
The singer's mother had another child, who was a burden.


Gracious mother pleading, "not another soul to bare"
The mother didn't want to have another child and was begging for mercy.


He started pushin'
The mother's other child also began to work hard to succeed.


All my kings have fallen down
All of the artist's heroes have failed and been forgotten.


Fallen heroes feed the ground
Heroes who have failed have become nothing but fertilizer for the earth.


Fallin' down, now I know her
The artist is struggling, but is starting to understand their mother's perspective.


I know I'll never drown, drown, drown
The singer believes they will never give up even when things are tough.


I was pushin'
The singer was working hard to achieve their goals.


I was pushin', pushin', pushin' forward back
The singer is constantly pushing themselves to move forward but feels like their efforts are not getting them anywhere.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christopher J. Cornell, Stone C. Gossard, Jeffrey Allen Ament

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found