This was the latest continuation of his affiliation with the franchise, with “Till I Collapse” being featured on Modern Warfare 2’s launch trailer, “Won’t Back Down” being used in-game for Black Ops, and “Love The Way You Lie” being performed by Eminem and Rihanna at the 2010 E3 Black Ops press conference.
In August 2013, following the release of Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer video, Eminem released a video explaining to his fans the new album would be released in the fall, and that a new music video was coming soon. It was also confirmed that the song would be featured within the game. This was the third time that an Eminem song was used to promote a Call of Duty game, with "'Till I Collapse" being used in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 trailer, and "Won't Back Down" being used in the Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer, in zombies mode as a hidden song and the end credits. The song is also featured on the soundtrack of WWE 2K19, being selected by AJ Styles to be included in the soundtrack.
The song is also heard in the end credits for Ghosts.
The official music video for "Survival" was released on October 8, 2013. The music video featured Eminem rapping in front of footage of Call of Duty: Ghosts featured on a projector, with additional shots featuring elements from the game such as dogs and soldiers in their in-game outfits. The final scene features Eminem revisiting the house featured on the cover of The Marshall Mathers LP and The Marshall Mathers LP 2. The house was later demolished by the State of Michigan.
The song features rock guitars in a style that makes it similar to works from Eminem's Recovery, according to Luke Bainbridge of The Guardian. Los Angeles Times pop music critic Randall Roberts says that the song matches the "voluminous, venom-filled and explosive" levels of the work it accompanies. Roberts says the song features an aggressive rapper, "cuss-filled lines...the bombast of distorted electric guitar and a jumbo beat." He says that the DJ Khalil-produced song, which features the New Royales' Liz Rodrigues, "is a cliché-ridden couplet that sounds like it took as much time to imagine as it did to scribble on a scrap of paper." Rolling Stone's Ryan Reed describes the song as hard-hitting with background music that classifies as "breakneck, arena-rock guitars and trashy drums."
Survival
Eminem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all, all, all-all
Wasn't ready to be no millionaire, I was ill-prepared
I was prepared to be ill though, the skill was there
From the beginning, it wasn't 'bout the ends
Cut the fucking act like you're happy, I'm fucking back again
With another anthem, why stop when it doesn't have to end?
It ain't over 'til I say it's over, enough when I say enough
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up
I'm afraid of what'll happen to them wolves
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivate at it
Wait is up, hands up like it's twelve noon, nah, homie
Hold them bitches straighter up, wave 'em 'til you dislocate a rotator cuff
Came up rough, came to ruffle feathers, nah, egos
I ain't deflate enough, last chance to make this whole stadium erupt
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all, all, all-all
I can see the finish line with each line that I finish
I'm so close to my goals, I can almost pole vault over the goal post
And if I don't got enough in the tank, maybe I can just siphon enough
To fill up this last can, man will I survive in this climate or what?
They said I was washed up, and got a blood bath
I'm not a rapper, I'm an adapter, I can adjust
Plus I can just walk up to a mic and just bust
So floor's open if you'd like to discuss
Top five in this mothafucka and if I don't make the cut
What, like I give a fuck? I'ma light this bitch up like I'm driving a truck
To the side of a pump, zero to sixty hop in and gun it
Like G-Unit without the hyphen, I'm hyping 'em up
And if there should ever come a time where my life's in a rut
And I look like I might just give up, eh, might've mistook
Me for bowing out I ain't taking a bow, I'm stabbing myself
With a fucking knife in the gut, while I'm wiping my butt
'Cause I just shitted on the mic, and I like getting cut
I get excited at the sight of my blood, you're in a fight with a nut
'Cause I'ma fight 'til I die or win
Bitin' the dust it'll just make me angrier, wait
Let me remind you of what got me this far, picture me quittin'
Now draw a circle around it and put a line through it, slut
It's survival of what
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all, all, all-all
So take it all, all, all-all
So get your ideas, stack your ammo
But don't come unless you come to battle, now mount up, jump in the saddle
This is it, it's what you eat, sleep, piss and shit
Live, breathe, your whole existence just consists of this
Refuse to quit, fuse is lit, can't defuse the wick
I don't do this music shit, I lose my shit
Ain't got shit to lose, it's the moment of truth
It's all I know how to do, as soon as I get thrown in the booth, I spit
But my respect is overdue, I'm showing you the flow no one do
'Cause I don't own no diploma for school, I quit
So there's nothing for me to fall back on, I know no other trades
So you'd better trade your fucking mics in for some tool boxes
'Cause you'll never take my pride from me
It'll have to be pried from me, so pull out your pliers and your screwdrivers
But I want you to doubt me, I don't want you to believe
'Cause this is something that I must use to succeed
And if you don't like me then fuck you
Self esteem must be fucking shooting through the roof 'cause trust me
My skin is too thick and bullet proof to touch me
I can see why the fuck I disgust you
I must be allergic to failure 'cause every time I come close to it
I just sneeze, but I just go achoo then achieve
This (this) is (is) survival of the fittest
This (this) is (is) do or die
This (this) is (is) the winner takes it all
So take it all, all, all-all
So take it all, all, all-all
Eminem's "Survival" is an anthem about the rapper's perseverance and tenacity in the face of criticism and adversity. The song opens with the declaration that this is "survival of the fittest," and that it's "do or die." He asserts that the winner takes all, and challenges his listeners to take it all without holding back. In the verses, Eminem reflects on his own career, stating that he was "ill-prepared" to be a millionaire, but that he had the skill necessary to succeed. He also takes aim at fellow artists who are only concerned with the ends, and not the means or message behind their music, and declares that he will not stop making music until he says he's done. Finally, he lays out his philosophy of life in the chorus, saying that you must refuse to quit, show your respect, and come to battle if you want to succeed.
The lyrics of "Survival" reflect many themes that are important to Eminem as an artist and as a person. The most prominent of these is perseverance, or the ability to keep going even in the face of difficult circumstances. Throughout his career, Eminem has had to overcome many obstacles, from drug addiction to personal and professional setbacks. In this song, he reminds his listeners that they too can survive and thrive, no matter what challenges they face. Another important theme in the song is authenticity. Eminem has always prided himself on his ability to speak the truth, and he calls out other artists who he sees as being more concerned with fame and fortune than with expressing their true selves through their music. Finally, the song touches on the idea of self-belief, or the idea that you have to believe in yourself and your abilities in order to succeed. Eminem has often spoken about how important it was for him to have faith in his own talents as a rapper, and "Survival" reflects that same idea.
Line by Line Meaning
(Yeah) this is survival of the fittest
It's a competition, only the best will survive.
This is do or die
It's all or nothing, you have to win or you die trying.
This is the winner takes it all
There can only be one winner, and they get everything.
So take it all, all, all-all
Go all out, give it your all, take everything that's yours.
Wasn't ready to be no millionaire, I was ill-prepared
I didn't expect to be rich, I wasn't ready for it.
I was prepared to be ill though, the skill was there
I knew I had talent, and was ready to use it.
From the beginning, it wasn't 'bout the ends
It wasn't about the money or success from the start.
It was 'bout busting raps and standing for something, fuck an acronym
It was about making great music with a message, not just using catchy acronyms.
Cut the fucking act like you're happy, I'm fucking back again
Stop pretending you're satisfied, I'm making a comeback.
With another anthem, why stop when it doesn't have to end?
I'm creating more great songs, why quit when there is no need?
It ain't over 'til I say it's over, enough when I say enough
I won't stop until I feel satisfied, no matter how long it takes.
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up
Put me in danger, I can handle it.
I'm afraid of what'll happen to them wolves
I'm worried about the people who try to bring me down.
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivate at it
I crave challenges and obstacles, it motivates me.
Wait is up, hands up like it's twelve noon, nah, homie
I'm ready to fight and face anything, anytime, anywhere.
Hold them bitches straighter up, wave 'em 'til you dislocate a rotator cuff
Hold your guns up high, show your power and strength.
Came up rough, came to ruffle feathers, nah, egos
I had a tough life, and I'm here to break egos and shake things up.
I ain't deflate enough, last chance to make this whole stadium erupt
I'm not giving up, this is my last chance to succeed and impress everyone.
I can see the finish line with each line that I finish
I'm getting closer to my goals with every song that I write.
I'm so close to my goals, I can almost pole vault over the goal post
I'm close to achieving everything I've set my sights on, it's within reach.
And if I don't got enough in the tank, maybe I can just siphon enough
If I don't have enough energy or resources to succeed, I'll find a way to make it happen anyway.
To fill up this last can, man will I survive in this climate or what?
If I can just make it through this last hurdle, will I be able to succeed?
They said I was washed up, and got a blood bath
People thought I was no longer relevant and would fail.
I'm not a rapper, I'm an adapter, I can adjust
I'm more than just a rapper, I can adjust to any situation to make things work.
Plus I can just walk up to a mic and just bust
I'm so talented, I can freestyle and improvise to create greatness.
So floor's open if you'd like to discuss
I'm willing to listen and talk about anything with those who disagree with me.
Top five in this mothafucka and if I don't make the cut
I'm one of the top five talents in the industry, and if I don't make it, it's not worth my time.
What, like I give a fuck? I'ma light this bitch up like I'm driving a truck
I don't care what people say or think, I'm going to succeed and make it happen.
To the side of a pump, zero to sixty hop in and gun it
I'm going to quickly race to the finish with all my might and power.
Like G-Unit without the hyphen, I'm hyping 'em up
I'm like G-Unit, hyping and motivating people to succeed and be their best.
And if there should ever come a time where my life's in a rut
If I ever become stuck or lost, I won't give up or quit.
And I look like I might just give up, eh, might've mistook
If it looks like I'm not succeeding, don't be fooled, I won't give up.
Me for bowing out I ain't taking a bow, I'm stabbing myself
I won't take the easy way out, I'll continue to challenge and hurt myself until I succeed.
With a fucking knife in the gut, while I'm wiping my butt
I'll hurt myself, even in the most vulnerable and uncomfortable situations.
'Cause I just shitted on the mic, and I like getting cut
I created something great, and I love the pain and challenge it took to get there.
I get excited at the sight of my blood, you're in a fight with a nut
I love the sight of blood and pain, you're fighting a crazy person.
'Cause I'ma fight 'til I die or win
I'm not going to stop until death or victory.
Bitin' the dust it'll just make me angrier, wait
If I fail, it will just motivate and anger me more to try again.
Let me remind you of what got me this far, picture me quittin'
I won't forget what pushed me to succeed and will never give up.
Now draw a circle around it and put a line through it, slut
Cross out the idea of quitting, it's not an option.
So get your ideas, stack your ammo
Get your thoughts in order and prepare for battle.
But don't come unless you come to battle, now mount up, jump in the saddle
Only come if you're serious and ready for a fight, let's go.
This is it, it's what you eat, sleep, piss and shit
This is your entire life, make or break.
Live, breathe, your whole existence just consists of this
This is everything you are, everything that matters.
Refuse to quit, fuse is lit, can't defuse the wick
I won't give up, I'm ready to fight and can't be stopped.
I don't do this music shit, I lose my shit
This isn't just music, it's my entire life and passion.
Ain't got shit to lose, it's the moment of truth
I have nothing else to lose, it's all or nothing.
It's all I know how to do, as soon as I get thrown in the booth, I spit
This is all I know how to do, I'm ready at all times to create greatness.
But my respect is overdue, I'm showing you the flow no one do
I deserve recognition for what I've done, and I'm showing off my talent that no one else can match.
'Cause I don't own no diploma for school, I quit
I don't have a degree, I dropped out of school to pursue my passion.
So there's nothing for me to fall back on, I know no other trades
This is my only option, I have nothing else to fall back on.
So you'd better trade your fucking mics in for some tool boxes
If you can't hang, quit now, you're not cut out for this.
'Cause you'll never take my pride from me
No matter what happens, I'll never lose my pride.
It'll have to be pried from me, so pull out your pliers and your screwdrivers
My pride won't come easily, you'll have to work hard and pry it out of my hands.
But I want you to doubt me, I don't want you to believe
I want to prove everyone wrong, don't believe in me just yet.
'Cause this is something that I must use to succeed
I need to use this doubt to motivate me and make me work harder to succeed.
And if you don't like me then fuck you
If you don't believe in me or support me, I don't care and won't work with you.
Self esteem must be fucking shooting through the roof 'cause trust me
My self-esteem is incredibly high, so don't try to bring me down.
My skin is too thick and bullet proof to touch me
I'm invincible and untouchable, nothing can stop me.
I can see why the fuck I disgust you
You're not on my level and can't handle my greatness.
I must be allergic to failure 'cause every time I come close to it
I refuse to fail, and push myself even harder when I face challenges.
I just sneeze, but I just go achoo then achieve
I overcome failure with ease, it doesn't stop me from succeeding.
This (this) is (is) survival of the fittest
It's a competition, only the best will survive.
This (this) is (is) do or die
It's all or nothing, you have to win or you die trying.
This (this) is (is) the winner takes it all
There can only be one winner, and they get everything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Erik Albert George Alcock, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Liz Rodrigues, Marshall B Mathers III, Michael A. Elizondo, Michael Jr. Strange, Pranam Injeti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josecarlosferislopez4130
Yeah.
[Hook: Liz Rodrigues]
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all
[Verse 1:]
Wasn't ready to be no millionaire, I was ill-prepared
I was prepared to be ill though, the skill was there
From the beginning, it wasn't 'bout the ends
It was 'bout busting raps and standing for something, fucking acronym
Cut the fucking act like you're happy, I'm fucking back again
With another anthem, why stop when it doesn't have to end?
It ain't over 'til I say it's over – enough when I say enough
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up
I'm afraid of what'll happen to them wolves
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivate at it
Wait is up, hands up like it's 12 noon, nah, homie
Hold them bitches straighter up, wave 'em 'til you dislocate a rotator cuff
Came up rough, came to ruffle feathers, nah, egos
I ain't deflate enough, last chance to make this whole stadium erupt cause
[Hook]
[Verse 2:]
I can see the finish line with each line that I finish
I'm so close to my goals I can almost pole vault over the goal post
And if I don't got enough in the tank, maybe I can just siphon enough
To fill up this last can, man will I survive in this climate or what?
They said I was washed up, and got a blood bath
I'm not a rapper, I'm an adapter, I can adjust
Plus I can just walk up to a mic and just bust
So floor's open if you'd like to discuss
Top 5 in this motherfucker and if I don't make the cut
What, like I give a fuck, I will light this bitch up like I'm driving a truck
To the side of a pump, 0 to 60 hop in and gun it
Like G-Unit without the hyphen, I'm hyping 'em up
And if there should ever come a time where my life's in a rut
And I look like I might just give up, eh might've mistook
Me for bowing out I ain't taking a bow, I'm stabbing myself
With a fucking knife in the gut, while I'm wiping my butt!
Cause I just shitted on the mic, and I like getting cut
I get excited at the sight of my blood, you're in a fight with a nut
Cause I'm a fight 'til I die or win
Biting the dust it'll just make me angrier, wait
Let me remind you of what got me this far, picture me quitting
Now draw a circle around it and put a line through it, slut
It's survival of what?
[Hook]
[Verse 3:]
So get your ideas, stack your ammo
But don't come unless you come to battle, I'm mad now jump in the saddle
This is it, it's what you eat, sleep, piss and shit
Live, breathe, your whole existence just consists of this
Refuse to quit, fuse is lit, can't diffuse the wick
I don't do this music shit, I lose my shit
Ain't got shit to lose, it's the moment of truth
It's all I know how to do, as soon as I get thrown in the booth, I spit
But my respect is overdue, I'm showing you the flow no one do
Cause I don't own no diploma for school, I quit!
So there's nothing for me to fall back on, I know no other trade
So you better trade your fucking mics in for some tool-box-es
Cause you'll never take my pride from me
It'll have to be pried from me, so pull out your pliers and your screwdrivers!
But I want you to doubt me, I don't want you to believe
Cause this is something that I must use to succeed
And if you don't like me then fuck you!
Self esteem must be fucking shooting through-the-roof cause trust me
My skin is too thick and bullet proof to touch me
I can see why the fuck I disgust you
I must be allergic to failure cause every time I come close to it
I just sneeze, but I just go achoo then achieve!
@sunitasingla666
LYRICS:
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all
Wasn't ready to be no millionaire, I was ill-prepared
I was prepared to be ill though, the skill was there
From the beginning, it wasn't 'bout the ends
It was 'bout busting raps and standing for something, fuck an acronym
Cut the fucking act like you're happy, I'm fucking back again
With another anthem, why stop when it doesn't have to end?
It ain't over 'til I say it's over – enough when I say enough
Throw me to them wolves and close the gate up
I'm afraid of what'll happen to them wolves
When the thought of being thrown into an alligator pit, I salivate at it
Wait is up, hands up like it's 12 noon, nah, homie
Hold them bitches straighter up, wave 'em 'til you dislocate a rotator cuff
Came up rough, came to ruffle feathers, nah, egos
I ain't deflate enough, last chance to make this whole stadium erupt
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all
I can see the finish line with each line that I finish
I'm so close to my goals I can almost pole vault over the goal post
And if I don't got enough in the tank, maybe I can just siphon enough
To fill up this last can, man will I survive in this climate or what
They said I was washed up, and got a blood bath
I'm not a rapper, I'm an adapter, I can adjust
Plus I can just walk up to a mic and just bust
So floor's open if you'd like to discuss
Top 5 in this mothafucka and if I don't make the cut
What, like I give a fuck, I'ma light this bitch up like I'm driving a truck
To the side of a pump, 0 to 60 hop in and gun it
Like G-Unit without the hyphen, I'm hyping em up
And if there should ever come a time where my life's in a rut
And I look like I might just give up, eh might've mistook
Me for bowing out I ain't taking a bow, I'm stabbing myself
With a fucking knife in the gut, while I'm wiping my butt
'Cause I just shitted on the mic, and I like getting cut
I get excited at the sight of my blood, you're in a fight with a nut
'Cause I'ma fight 'til I die or win
Biting the dust it'll just make me angrier, wait
Let me remind you of what got me this far, picture me quittin'
Now draw a circle around it and put a line through it, slut
It's survival of what
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all
So get your ideas, stack your ammo
But don't come unless you come to battle, I'm mad now jump in the saddle
This is it, it's what you eat, sleep, piss and shit
Live, breathe, your whole existence just consists of this
Refuse to quit, fuse is lit, can't de-fuse the wick
I don't do this music shit, I lose my shit
Ain't got shit to lose, it's the moment of truth
It's all I know how to do, as soon as I get thrown in the booth, I spit
But my respect is overdue, I'm showing you the flow no one do
'Cause I don't own no diploma for school, I quit
So there's nothing for me to fall back on, I know no other trades
So you'd better trade your fucking mics in for some tool-box-es
'Cause you'll never take my pride from me
It'll have to be pried from me, so pull out your pliers and your screwdrivers
But I want you to doubt me, I don't want you to buh-lieve
'Cause this is something that I must use to suc-ceed
And if you don't like me then fuck you
Self es-teem must be fucking shooting through-the-roof 'cause trust me
My skin is too thick and bul-let proof to touch me
I can see why the fuck I disgust you
I must be a-llergic to failure 'cause every time I come close to it
I just sneeze, but I just go atchoo then achieve!
This is survival of the fittest
This is do or die
This is the winner takes it all
So take it all
@enaretwo98
Top 5 favorite rappers:
1.) Eminem
2.) Slim Shady
3.) Marshall Mathers
4.) B-Rabbit
5.) the white guy from d12
@jjf3934
We get it
@EliteObeid
You forgot Ken Kannif
@UPGRAYEDD603
***** and one everyone forgets ... rainman
@tyhymel5793
Our stupid there all eminem
@DaCerebrus
YoungSinatraXI 5) cheddar bob ? Didn't know he was a rapper
@chrisjoy1321
Whether you like Ghosts or not, the hype was insane.
@reyhernandez2306
hollywoodJED1 cool pic
@casualstoner4004
Hype isn't a good thing.
@chrisjoy1321
kid Clorox Bleach Yes it is. It can spawn good memories, friendships, and eve. if the hype doesn't pay off, you still have those memories. I made 3 new friends because of the hype for Ghosts.