Survivor (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Survivor


Artist = Destiny's Child
from Album = Survivor
B-side =
Released = February 13, 2001 (Australia)
April 24, 2001 (Germany)
May 8, 2001 (U.S.)
May 15, 2001 (U.K.)
Format = CD single
12" single
DVD Single
Recorded = 2000
Genre = R&B, pop
Length = 4:14
Label = Columbia
Writer = Beyoncé Knowles
Anthony Dent
Mathew Knowles
Producer = Beyoncé Knowles
Anthony Dent
Certification = BPI: Gold
Last single = "Independent Women"
(2001)
This single = "Survivor"
(2001)
Next single = "Bootylicious"
(2001)

"Survivor" is an R&B song written by American singer-songwriter Beyoncé Knowles, Anthony Dent, and Mathew Knowles for Destiny's Child's third studio album "Survivor" (2001). It was produced by Beyoncé and Dent, and was released as the album's first single in early 2001 (see 2001 in music). The song also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

The video won the 2001 MTV Video Music Award for "Best R&B Video", and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo ("Survivor"). The opening track of singer-songwriter Jill Sobule's 2004 album "The Folk Years 2003-2003" is a cover of the song, and a pseudo-cover of the song also opens rapper Vanilla Ice's 2005 album "Platinum Underground".

ong information

Lead singer Beyoncé was inspired to write the lyrics for "Survivor" after hearing a radio DJ tease about the fact that three members have left Destiny's Child, much like getting voted off the reality show of the same name. The video is consequently styled to seem like three survivors living on an uninhabited island. It also shows a brief prelude to how the girls were shipwrecked. The song has proved to be the signature song of Destiny's Child for its powerful message, along with "Say My Name", "Jumpin', Jumpin'" and "Independent Women (Part I)".

Controversy

Former group members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson filed a lawsuit against Beyoncé, Kelly, and former manager Mathew Knowles; they claimed some of the lyrics in "Survivor", such as "You thought I wouldn't sell without you/sold nine million", violated a previous agreement that prevented either party from insulting the other.

Chart performance

"Survivor" debuted at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the group's second highest debuting single to date, just behind Lose My Breath at #30, and quickly raced up the charts reaching its peak position of #2 within a month. The song topped the Billboard Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales chart for eight weeks.The song only reached number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single reached number one on the Hot 100 Airplay chart for five consecutive weeks and peaked at number three on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart.

In the United Kingdom, "Survivor" debuted at number one on the singles chart and went on to sell over 260,000 copies. It also topped the singles chart in Ireland, Netherlands, and Japan. Moreover, it held the top position in the United World Tracks Chart for five weeks. It was ranked one in Canada, peaked second in New Zealand, placed in the top 5 in Australia and Germany, and reached number 12 in France.

Credits and personnel

* Lead vocals: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams
* Vocal production - Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Mathew Knowles

Charts

Official versions

*"Survivor" (A cappella)
*"Survivor" (Instrumental)
*"Survivor" (Azza'z Soul Remix)
*"Survivor" (CB2000 Anthem Mix)
*"Survivor" (Digital Black-N-Groove Remix)
*"Survivor" (Elite Street Pro-Mix)
*"Survivor" (Jameson Full Vocal Remix)
*"Survivor" (Maurice's Soul Mix)
*"Survivor" (Nic Mercy's Immortal Mix)
*"Survivor" (Remix Extended Version) (feat Da Brat)
*"Survivor" (Richard Vission's V-Quest Remix)
*"Survivor" (Victor Calderone Mix)
*"Survivor" (Victor Calderone Drum Dub Mix)
*"Survivor" (Josh Hard Main Remix)

Appearances in other media

A cover version of the song appeared in the Nintendo DS game Elite Beat Agents as the last bonus episode to unlock.