"Push the Button" is a song recorded by English girl group the Sugababes for their fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (2005).

"Push the Button" received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its conception and production, with some naming it one of the best pop singles of the 2000s.

Becoming one of the group's most commercially successful releases, the song peaked at number one in Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and reached the top five across Europe and in Australia.

Matthew Rolston directed the accompanying music video for "Push the Button", which was filmed in Shepherd's Bush, London and features the Sugababes flirting with three men in an elevator.

[1] Development of "Push the Button" began while the Sugababes travelled to the United States to work on their fourth studio album, Taller in More Ways (2005).

[2] Buchanan told Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian that she made advances towards the man, but he was unaware of her intentions: "I really liked this guy, so I'd be like, there's this good movie coming out, you know, dropping hints.

[2] In a video on her songwriting experiences posted onto her YouTube channel in July 2020, Buchanan said that Austin teased her relentlessly about her crush after an outing by rapping and playing the keyboard; she then returned his bantering and the song instantly developed from there.

[6] Mutya Buena, another member of the Sugababes, clarified Buchanan's encounter with the artist to Hot Press magazine's Jackie Hayden, saying: "We all knew there was something going on between them at the time, but we try to give each other space.

[10] According to the digital sheet music published by Hal Leonard Corporation, "Push the Button" was composed in the key of A-flat major using common time, with a fast-paced tempo of 126 beats per minute.

[15] The song contains an ascending bridge incorporated into the chorus,[16] which consists of the lines: "If you're ready for me boy / You'd better push the button and let me know / Before I get the wrong idea and go.

[18] Island Records released it as a CD single and digital download on 26 September 2005 with an accompanying B-side titled "Favourite Song",[19][20] composed by the Sugababes, Cameron McVey, and Jony Lipsey.

[21] An extended play was released, featuring a DJ Prom remix of the song, and the B-side "Like the Weather",[22] which was written by the Sugababes, Cathy Dennis, and Guy Sigsworth.

[25] The song received a similar response from K. Ross Hoffman of AllMusic, who noted it as one of the album's highlights, and praised its simplicity and effectiveness.

[12] The Guardian's Alexis Petridis considered the melody as "sweet and addictive as Smarties",[15] while Kitty Empire of the same publication wrote that the track's "surface simplicity masks a hook that won't let go".

[27] A journalist from the Liverpool Daily Post characterised "Push the Button" as "another edgy stomper" and said that it capitalises on the Sugababes' "streetwise credentials and individual vocal strengths".

[59] It was the group's first number-one single on the chart,[59] and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, indicating sales of 7,500 copies.

Towards the end of the video, Range bends over 'Mr Shy Guy' in a seductive manner, Buchanan pushes 'Mr Too Cool' to the floor, and Buena gives 'Mr Perfect' a lap dance.

[70] The group performed "Push the Button" at London's G-A-Y nightclub in November 2006, wearing PVC clothing and rubber gear.

[72] They performed the song on 1 June 2008 at Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh as part of the Vodafone Live Music tour; David Pollock of The Scotsman suggested that it was one of the show's standouts.

[73][74] The Sugababes performed "Push the Button" on 27 June 2008 in Hyde Park, London as part of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert.

[77] The group played the song on 28 August 2008 at the Bridlington Spa as part of a gig,[78] and at the 2008 Q Awards at The Forum, London, beginning with the synthesizer intro from "Won't Get Fooled Again" by British band The Who.

[81] Buchanan performed the song on 19 July 2011 at the Jacques Townhouse, as part of a set list that included the group's debut single "Overload", in addition to her solo tracks.

[96] It was also covered by English hip hop duo Dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip, who performed it at the 2008 Bestival.

[98] Firefighters in Staffordshire, England, performed a cover version, although the lyrics were modified to encourage the public to regularly test the smoke alarms in their homes.