Scarface (Push It to the Limit)
| "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Paul Engemann | |
| from the album Scarface: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
| B-side | "Tony's Theme" |
| Released | October 26, 1983 |
| Format | 7" single |
| Recorded | 1983 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 5:10 |
| Label | MCA |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) | Giorgio Moroder |
"Scarface (Push It to the Limit)" is a song written by record producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte and recorded by American musician Paul Engemann. It appeared on the soundtrack for the 1983 motion picture Scarface. This song appears in the movie in the montage sequence that demonstrates Tony Montana's rise in wealth and position after he kills Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) and takes over as the head cocaine trafficker in Miami. In the film, the song appeared in a slightly longer version, featuring a guitar solo during the instrumental break. This version was eventually released on a 12-inch single LP with the guitar solo on it.
Composition
The song is composed with a tempo of 156 beats per minute.[1]
In popular culture
It has been employed as a montage song for underdog or dark horse characters, such as in the South Park episode "Up the Down Steroid" (in a techno format remixed by Moroder himself), and in the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia episode entitled "Mac's Big Break". A variation of this theme is used in a montage for the American Dad! episode "The Adventures of Twill Ongenbone and His Boy Jabari". Similarly, the 2009-2010 Britvic advert for 'Drench' bottled water features the song while a goldfish remembers its way through a maze. It is also the entrance song for German boxer Ralf Riemer.
In other media
- Used in the video game Grand Theft Auto III on one of its available in-game radio stations, Flashback FM (Flashback 95.6), along with the rest of the Scarface film soundtrack.
- Featured in the official Scarface game, Scarface: The World is Yours
- Sampled on both "Push It" by Rick Ross[2] and remixed by Australian drum and bass artist, Phetsta
- The chorus was performed by Jamey Jasta in Necro's "Push it to the Limit" from his album The Pre-Fix for Death
- Often used with the internet meme Safety Not Guaranteed
- The song appeared in The Simpsons' 1980s-inspired couch gag in the episode "Teenage Mutant Milk-Caused Hurdles".
- The song also appeared in the South Park episode "Up the Down Steroid".
- A homage of the song, created by Simon Viklund, is used in the game Payday 2, as part of its Scarface DLC Packs.
- The song appeared in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's season 5 episode "Mac's Big Break".
- Covered by Finnish heavy metal band Battle Beast on their album Unholy Savior.
See also
- "You're the Best", song featured in The Karate Kid
- "Gonna Fly Now", a.k.a. the "theme from Rocky"