Scarface (Push It to the Limit)

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)"
Single cover. It pictures a man who stands holding a gun with his right hand. He wears a suit. The background is bicolor. The text "(Push It To The Limit)" and "Performed by Paul Engemann" is written to his right. Above this line, the word "Scarface" is written in big capital letters.
Single by Paul Engemann
from the album Scarface: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
B-side"Tony's Theme"
ReleasedFebruary 3, 1984 (1984-02-03)[1]
Recorded1983
Length3:00
LabelMCA
Songwriters
ProducerGiorgio Moroder
Paul Engemann singles chronology
"For Your Love"
(1975) 		"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)"
(1984) 		"American Dream"
(1984)

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" is a song performed by American singer Paul Engemann. It was written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte for the 1983 motion picture Scarface. The song is included on the film's soundtrack and is used in a montage sequence illustrating the rise in wealth and power of Tony Montana, portrayed by Al Pacino, after he kills Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) and assumes control of Miami's cocaine trade. In the film, the song appeared in a slightly longer version, later released on a 12-inch single. "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" has been sampled by multiple musicians and used in montage sequences in television episodes.

Context

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" is sung by Paul Engemann. It was written by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, with Moroder also serving as producer, specifically for the 1983 film Scarface.[1]

The movie follows the rise and fall of Tony Montana (portrayed by Al Pacino) as he becomes a drug lord in Miami. The song is featured during a montage sequence following the killing of his boss Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia), during which Montana takes control of the cocaine trafficking organization and marries Lopez's widow, Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer).[2][3] During the sequence, the montage depicts currency-counting machines and money being transported to a bank, while Tony's cover business is shown as being related to travel. Film critic Glenn Kenny described the scene as resembling "an advertisement for itself", which he argued resulted in an artificial sense.[4]

Kenny interpreted the lyrics "You've reached the top, but you still gotta learn how to keep it" as a cautionary message about the fragility of success, delivered "over a propulsive, anthemic disco beat".[4] Ken Tucker described Engemann's vocals as a "full-throated, arena-rock warble", comparing them to those of Steve Perry, the vocalist of Journey. He also compared the song to "Eye of the Tiger", sung by Survivor, in terms of their respective relevance to the films in which they appeared ("Eye of the Tiger" appearing in Rocky III). Tucker concluded that Engemann's tenor conveys both the film's overt machismo and the underlying sense of desperation.[5] Ryan Pearson described the song for Effingham Daily News as "synth-heavy".[6]

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" has appeared in popular culture through song samplings and television montage sequences.

Music

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" was also added to the playlist of the soundtrack of the 2001 video game Grand Theft Auto III. It can be heard on its fictional "Flashback 95.6" radio station.[7][8] The song has been covered by multiple musicians, including Battle Beast on Unholy Savior, and PelleK,[9] and has been sampled in "Push It", by Rick Ross,[2] as well as in works by Mobb Deep, Fonky Family, and GOOD Music, among others.[9]

Television

"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" was used in the South Park episode "Up the Down Steroid", which also parodied the montage scene in Scarface, features Eric Cartman failing at every event in which he participates during the Special Olympics.[10] It was used in the Stranger Things episode "Chapter Four: Will the Wise" during a baskteball game.[11] In the episode "Teenage Mutant Milk-Caused Hurdles" of The Simpsons, the song is used in the opening couch gag, depicting Homer Simpson paying homage to Miami Vice and Knight Rider.[12]

Track listing

  • 7-inch single[1]
  1. "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" – 3:00
  2. "Tony's Theme" – 3:12
  1. "Scarface (Push It to the Limit) – Extended Version" – 5:12

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Paul Engemann - Scarface (Push It To The Limit)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Markman, Rob (August 25, 2011). ""Scarface": RapFix's Favorite Hip-Hop References". MTV Rapfix. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  3. ^ Gronmaier, Danny (2024). The US Sports Film: A Genre of American Dream Time. Berlin: De Gruyter Brill. p. 185. ISBN 3111529630.
  4. ^ a b Kenny, Glenn (2024). The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface. Hanover Square Press. p. 221. ISBN 1335449620.
  5. ^ Tucker, Ken (2008). Scarface Nation: The Ultimate Gangster Movie and How It Changed America. St. Martin's Press. p. 116-117. ISBN 9780312330590.
  6. ^ Pearson, Ryan (October 23, 2006). "MOVIES — The 'Scarface' legacy". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  7. ^ Dawkins, Daniel (September 9, 2013). "30 most important moments in GTA history – part one". The Guardian. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  8. ^ "GTA: La historia de Grand Theft Auto" [GTA: The history of Grand Theft Auto]. IGN España (in Spanish). May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Segaloff, Nat (2023). Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface. Citadel Press. p. 161. ISBN 0806542969.
  10. ^ Gournelos, Ted (2009). Popular Culture and the Future of Politics: Cultural Studies and the Tao of South Park. Lexington Books. p. 62. ISBN 9780739137215.
  11. ^ Pallàs, Martí; Pérez Ladaga, Eloy (2018). A través de Stranger Things: Recordando los 80 (in Spanish). Barcelona: Redbook Ediciones. p. 84. ISBN 8494791710.
  12. ^ Heisler, Yoni (December 19, 2018). "Video: The Simpsons' New Couch Gag Is A Hilarious Spoof Of 80s Action Shows". Boy Genius Report. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  13. ^ "Scarface (Push It to the Limit) – Extended Version". Spotify. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarface_(Push_It_to_the_Limit)