"Survival of the Sickest" garnered positive reviews from music critics. Johnny Loftus from AllMusic highlighted the song as a "Track Pick" and put it alongside "One Night Only" as tracks that "happily revels in twin guitars and two-girls-for-every-guy rock star debauchery." Entertainment Weekly writer Sean Richardson called the track a "retro party anthem" that pays "rollicking tribute" to '80s hair metal. Bram Teitelman of Billboard praised the song for being a "high-octane, well-oiled rocker" that continues the band's penchant to craft "solid rock tracks", concluding that "Modern rock is coming to the party as well, ensuring that the song's chances for survival at radio are good."
The video was shot in Los Angeles' Grand Olympic Auditorium on July 20, 2004. Directed by Wayne Isham, the video follows two girls going to the backstage VIP area of a Saliva concert. After passing the time in the location, Josey Scott arrives to join the girls but the viewers are left to their "own imagination for the seedy details" when Scott "slams the door in the camera's face".
Survival Of The Sickest
Saliva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a hand in Mona Lisa's dress
I'm a smile on every criminal you'll ever acquit
I'm the things you've done you'd never admit
'Cause one hand is on the bible and the other's in shit
Right now, your face is in the crowd,
Oh wow, take a good look at me now,
Should have never had a doubt, is that you I hear screaming my name.
I'm a roller, I'm a rider,
Number one motherfuckin' survivor.
So move over, I'm the driver,
And I'm high and I'm gonna keep getting higher, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm the one you thought that you could erase,
But a predator that's faster than the food that he chased.
When you fall off the horse you brought to the race,
I'll be the one who's flying by you kickin' shit in your face.
Right now, your face is in the crowd,
I'm shouting out loud, the one you counted out of the game.
Oh wow, take a good look at me now,
Should have never had a doubt, is that you I hear screaming my name.
I'm a roller, I'm a rider,
Number one motherfuckin' survivor.
So move over, I'm the driver,
And I'm high and I'm gonna keep getting higher, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
C'mon, whoa yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm a roller, I'm a rider
I'm a roller babe, I'm a rider babe
So ease down, and wrap your legs around me babe (Wrap your legs around me)
Ease down and wrap your legs around me
Wrap you legs around me!
Move over baby, get on your knees.
I'm gonna drive this little red love machine.
I'm a roller, I'm a rider,
Number one motherfuckin' survivor.
So move over, I'm the driver,
And I'm high and I'm gonna keep getting higher, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
C'mon, whoa yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah! (C'mon)
Whoa!
The lyrics of Saliva's song Survival Of The Sickest seem to describe a person who has faced difficulties and challenges in life but has managed to overcome them and emerge as a survivor. The person in the song is portrayed as confident, strong, and unstoppable. He or she is the "hand in Mona Lisa's dress," implying that he or she is part of something greater, something that is admired and revered by others. The person is also "a smile on every criminal you'll ever acquit," suggesting that he or she may have had to make tough moral decisions in the past or associate with unsavory characters.
The lyrics repeatedly stress the idea that the person is a "number one motherfuckin' survivor" who is "gonna keep getting higher." This implies that the person is not content with just surviving, but also wants to thrive and achieve more. He or she is the "driver" and the one in control, not content to be a passive bystander. The lyrics are also laced with references to domination and power, such as "when you fall off the horse you brought to the race, I'll be the one who's flying by you kickin' shit in your face."
Overall, the song's lyrics seem to celebrate resilience, determination, and the will to succeed in the face of adversity. The person in the song is unapologetically bold and confident, showing that survival of the fittest also means survival of the sickest.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a hand in Mona Lisa's dress
I am something that is hidden or secret, like the hand that is hidden in Mona Lisa's dress
I'm a smile on every criminal you'll ever acquit
I'm something that is present in every situation that may seem negative or criminal, even if it is not explicitly seen, like a smile on an acquitted criminal's face
I'm the things you've done you'd never admit
I represent things that people secretly do, but would never confess to doing
'Cause one hand is on the bible and the other's in shit
I represent the duplicity of people who claim to be good or holy, but have some dirty secrets
Right now, your face is in the crowd,
You are currently visible and present in a group of people
I'm shouting out loud,
I am making a big impact or statement
the one you counted out of the game.
I am the one who you thought wouldn't succeed or win, but is now proving you wrong
Oh wow, take a good look at me now,
Look at how different I am now from when you first saw me
Should have never had a doubt,
You shouldn't have underestimated me or thought less of me
is that you I hear screaming my name.
Now you recognize my worth and are cheering for me
I'm a roller, I'm a rider,
I am someone who is always on the move or taking risks
Number one motherfuckin' survivor.
I am the one who has survived all obstacles and challenges in my life, and am thriving now as the best
So move over, I'm the driver,
I am in charge and leading the way, so make room for me
And I'm high and I'm gonna keep getting higher, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I am feeling confident and successful, and will continue to be even more successful in the future
C'mon, whoa yeah
I am inviting and encouraging others to join me in my success
So ease down, and wrap your legs around me babe (Wrap your legs around me)
Ease down and wrap your legs around me
Wrap you legs around me!
I am sensual and confident, and inviting someone to join me in a pleasurable experience
Move over baby, get on your knees.
I'm gonna drive this little red love machine.
I am asserting my dominance and sexuality, and taking charge of the situation
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I am confidently celebrating my success and power
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: CHRISTOPHER JON DABALDO, DAVID A. NOVOTNY, JOSEPH SCOTT SAPPINGTON, PAUL ALLEN CROSBY, WAYNE A. SWINNY, DAVID A NOVOTNY, WAYNE SWINNY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@corey993
RIP Wayne Swinny! Thanks for all the amazing guitar riffs, shred high into the sky now!
@Speedyreedy1218
I appreciate WWF for making me a saliva fan since 2001.
Banger after banger. Rock on fellas!
@vonknudson1778
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@carriebonner-roushbonner-r7022
💔 Sincere Sympathy and Prayers😔 For All Who Loved & Lost Wayne🎸 Thank you SALIVA®™ FOR ALL THE GREAT ALBUMS & LIVE SHOWS💎🪞👗👠📿💄🌹🌉❤️♾️
@veinimvu1995
This song is sooo awesome, gets me on the mood to do anything. Gives me energy , keeps me awake and alive.
@SailorGuy1477
This song never gets old pumps me up just as much as the first time i heard it.
@kristenusoencer7479
Josey Scott is always going to be the best!!!!! Absolutely love saliva. This whole album was great 😍😍😍
@DjJt08
Saliva- The only band in the entire world to just say Ya for 20 seconds and make pure f-ckin gold doing so!
@mitchcota2631
Saliva's survival of the the sickest reach at number 6 on the mainstream rock charts and reach at number 22 on the modern rock charts
@SPACEZACK99
I saw these guys at a great concert at Comerica park in Detroit. They kicked Ass as opening band for Ted nugent, Kiss, and Areosmith ! Unbelievable ! Best concert for me in a bit.