The band tweaked its musical direction in 1988 with the release of the slightly heavier Too Hot to Sleep, but due to changes in the music industry, the album barely reached the Billboard 100 in the United States. Because of this, the band split for several years each embarking on other areas of the music business. Jamison (the most popular frontman in the groups history) re-united with Sullivan in 2000 and the band released the Reach cd in 2006.
Early Years
Survivor was formed in 1977 by Jim Peterik, Frankie Sullivan, Dave Bickler, Gary Smith and Dennis Keith Johnson. Initially, the group was known as The Jim Peterik Band. But Peterik liked the idea of a band identity better, so the Survivor name was adopted by 1978. Peterik was previously the lead vocalist/guitarist for the band Ides of March.[1] After playing in small clubs for several years, Survivor released its first album, the self-titled Survivor, in 1979, but the album did not achieve the level of success that the band had hoped for, producing no Top 40 singles. In 1981 Johnson & Smith had schedule conflicts with their other projects, so they were replaced by Stephan Ellis & Marc Droubay in time for the band's follow-up album, Premonition,which achieved only Top 40 single, "Poor Man's Son".
In 1982, Survivor's breakthrough arrived when actor Sylvester Stallone asked it to provide the theme song for his movie Rocky III. Stallone had heard their single "Poor Man's Son" and wanted a song similar to it.[2] The band agreed to write him a song and soon released "Eye of the Tiger". It had an enormous impact on the Billboard charts, peaking at #1 and remaining there for a total of six weeks. It also topped the British Billboard charts. It was in the Top 40 for a total of 18 weeks and was Australia's #1 single for four weeks.[3] The song won the band a Grammy Award, was voted "Best New Song" by the People's Choice Awards, and also received an Academy Award nomination.[3] The album of the same title, Eye of the Tiger, was released by the band later in 1982.
In 1983, Survivor tried to duplicate the success of Eye of the Tiger by releasing Caught in the Game. The album turned out to be a commercial disappointment, stalling at #82 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The album's only single, the title track, peaked at #77. The band suffered another setback before a tour in late 1983, when lead singer Dave Bickler was fired and replaced by Jimi Jamison who led the band to a string of hit songs, videos and soundtracks, beginning with the hit album "Vital Signs" in 1984.
The Hit Years
After recording "The Moment of Truth" with Jimi Jamison on vocals (#63 US), the theme song of the box office smash hit The Karate Kid (1984), the band recorded its first full album with Jamison. Vital Signs gave the band a massive comeback, peaking at #16 on the Billboard Album Chart with the hits "I Can't Hold Back" (#13 US), "High on You" (#8 US), and "The Search Is Over" (#4 US).
In 1985, the band had another hit with "Burning Heart," a song from the Rocky IV soundtrack, when it peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100.
When Seconds Count was released in 1986 and included the hit "Is This Love" (#9 US). On the Billboard album chart, the album peaked at #49 but still managed to sell over 500,000 copies and reached certified gold status.
During pre-production of their seventh album, Too Hot to Sleep (1988), Ellis and Droubay were replaced by studio session vets Mickey Curry (drums) and Bill Syniar (bass). Produced BY Frank Fillipetti . Though the album presented a harder-rocking Survivor, similar to the sound in the band's the early days, Too Hot to Sleep failed to make a dent on the charts (#187 US). There were, reportedly, a few live dates done by the band during this period that included Syniar on bass and Kyle Woodring on drums
1989-2000: Work on Greatest Hits Album
After the disappointing sales of Too Hot to Sleep, Jim Peterik, Frankie Sullivan decided to put the band on hiatus indefinitely. Jamison decided to continue touring and playing Survivor songs with local musicians. He subsequently recorded a solo album in 1991. Jamison continued to tour successfully in the US and overseas and in 1992, Sullivan contacted Jamison's management and asked to be included on the tour; he performed on eight to ten dates before being replaced.
Soon after, in late 1992-early 1993, Survivor was tapped to do a new and more extensive hits package with two new songs. For a short time Peterik, Sullivan, and Jamison were reunited in the studio to record new material for the new package and forthcoming world tour.
In Spring 1993, Peterik and Sullivan re-teamed with original lead singer Dave Bickler, released a new 'Greatest Hits' album with two new songs ("Hungry Years" co-written by Bickler and "You Know Who You Are" originally sung by Jamison), and embarked on a world tour with Bill Syniar and Kyle Woodring returning on bass & drums. Klem Hayes took over on bass in 1994 after Syniar departed.
When the band tried to move in a blues direction, Peterik decided to leave the band, playing his last show with Survivor on July 3, 1996, at "The Eye in the Sky" fest in Lisle, Illinois. Survivor replaced Peterik with keyboardist Chris Grove. Peterik returned to recording and touring with the Ides of March and also formed the group Pride of Lions.
In the fall of 1996, bassist Stephan Ellis and drummer Marc Droubay rejoined Survivor. But Ellis quit again by early 1999 and was replaced by Billy Ozzello.
In 1999, Jimi Jamison released his second solo album Empires.
2000-2006: Release of a new album
In early 2000, Bickler was fired, severing the then Sullivan/Bickler Survivor and resulting in Sullivan's reestablishment of a partnership with Jamison. The band then began recording material for a new album. The Peterik/Sullivan-penned track "Velocitized" was set for inclusion on the Soundtrack to the Sylvester Stallone film Driven. However, it did not make the cut.
In 2000, the band threatened to sue CBS for using the name "Survivor" as the title of their hit reality show Survivor.
In 2003 Billy Ozzello was replaced on bass by Randy Riley.
In 2004, a Starbucks television commercial debuted for their Double Shot espresso beverage. It featured the band following a man named Glen, singing a modified version of "Eye of the Tiger" while he did his day-to-day tasks. This commercial has gained a number of fans and was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Survivor emerged into popular culture once again on the soundtrack album to the film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2005). Burgundy states that he believes Survivor is "the best that ever was" and that "everyone else is an imitator" including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bach, and Beethoven. He then goes on to point out that Survivor won't return his calls, which he understands because "They're Survivor and I'm not." He then introduces Who's That Lady by The Isley Brothers with the line "It's not Survivor, but it'll have to do."
Barry Dunaway took over bass chores for the band on the road in 2005. But by early 2006 Billy Ozzello was back
On April 21, 2006, Survivor released a new album called Reach. Consisting of mostly new songs, it also includes some re-recordings from the "Fire Makes Steel" sessions.
Two of the album's songs, "Reach" and "Fire Makes Steel", had been considered for inclusion in the 2006 Rocky sequel Rocky Balboa but were not included, nor did they appear on the 2006 album Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky.
On July 14, 2006, it was announced that Jimi Jamison and Barry Dunaway (Ingvie Malmsteen) were leaving and the band struggled to find a replacement finally settling on Robin McAuley.
2007-present: New vocalist
According to Sullivan, the band is said to be going back into the studio to record brand-new material for a new Survivor record (featuring McAuley on lead vocals) for a 2008 release, but still no record to date.
2008 Jamison released the highly acclaimed cd "Crossroads Moment" on Frontiers Records in Europe produced by Jim Peterik and Larry Milas
[2009] Jamison's "Crossroads Moments" cd is released in the (US)
The current lineup is a mix of old and new members: newcomer Robin McAuley (vocals), original member/songwriter Frankie Sullivan (guitar/vocals), longtime member Marc Drowbay (drums), and veteran members Billy Ozzello (bass).
Grove, a classically trained pianist, who stayed with the group for more than ten years has recently left and is performing with Eddie Money. Randy Riley and Barry Dunaway both briefly filled in on bass after Ozzello's departure. Dunaway departed shortly after recording Reach. Ozzello, who recorded an album with the band Blind for a Day in 1998, recently returned to the lineup.
The band continues to play regular concerts in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The band performed "Eye of the Tiger" on ABC's Dancing with the Stars on April 3, 2007.
On December 16, 2007, Survivor performed for the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Christmas Party, at the Canyon Club in Agoura, CA.
Frankie Sullivan is now producing the second album of the critically acclaimed band Mecca led by Singer/Songwriter Joe Vana. Coincidentally, he replaces Jim Peterik who produced the first Mecca album. The album is due out the first part of 2008 on Frontiers Records Worldwide.
Chicago
2. Survivor was a band from Shreveport, Louisiana who released one self-titled album in 1979.
Feels Like Love
Survivor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gettin' some action on a midnight ride
Feelin' alright this Saturday night
Your touch ignites the fire
Drivin' my heel to the edge of desire
Feelin' so right, it's Saturday night
No more lonely nights searchin' for this feelin'
Girl, it sure feels like love
I need it every day
Yeah, it sure feels like love
I wanna tell you
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
Feels like love
I once thought love was for fools
For broken hearts and broken rules
I was so wrong for so long
We're pulling over to the side of the road
Decide if it's love or just an overload
Girl I, I need to know, ooh, I gotta know
No more lonely nights searchin' for this feelin'
Lovelight's burnin' in your eyes
Girl, it sure feels like love
I need it every day
Yeah, it sure feels like love
I wanna tell you
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
Feels like love
Girl, it sure feels like love
I need it every day
Yeah, it sure feels like love
I wanna tell you
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
Feels like love, come on
It feels like love, come on
Feels like love, I need it every day
Feels like love, every day
Feels like love, every day
Feels like love
The lyrics of Survivor's song "Feels Like Love" are about the feeling of being in love and the joy it brings. The first stanza describes the excitement of the moment and how this Saturday night is different from the rest. The singer seems to have found the one he wants to be with through the touch of his partner, which drives his desire. The second verse reflects on the singer's past experiences with love, where he thought it was for fools and broken hearts. The third verse describes a pivotal moment where the singer and his partner have to decide whether what they are feeling is love or just an overload.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Girl, it sure feels like love" multiple times, emphasizing the feeling of being in love that the singer is experiencing. He needs it every day and has been waiting for it for so long. The repetition of the phrase "I've been waitin', so long waitin'" emphasizes the longing and desire for love that the singer has been feeling.
Overall, "Feels Like Love" is a joyful and optimistic love song that is focused on the feeling of being in love. It celebrates the happiness and excitement that comes with finding the right person.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm red-hot, higher than high
I am feeling incredibly passionate and intense about this moment.
Gettin' some action on a midnight ride
I am feeling adventurous and full of life, and I am eager to experience love and romance in new and exciting ways.
Feelin' alright this Saturday night
I am feeling happy and content, and I am ready to enjoy this moment to the fullest with someone I care about deeply.
Your touch ignites the fire
Your touch is electric and full of passion, and it is making me feel alive and vibrant in a way that I have not felt before.
Drivin' my heel to the edge of desire
I am feeling so consumed by my passion and desire for this person that it is taking me to the very limit of what I am capable of.
No more lonely nights searchin' for this feelin'
I have spent too many nights alone, searching for a connection that I thought I would never find.
Lovelight's shinin' in your eyes
I can see the warmth and depth of your love for me in your eyes, and it is filling me up with joy and happiness.
Girl, it sure feels like love
I am realizing that what I am feeling is not just attraction or infatuation, but true love that is meant to last.
I need it every day
I crave this feeling of love and connection with you every single day, and I never want it to fade or disappear.
I've been waitin', so long waitin'
I have been longing for this kind of deep, meaningful love for a very long time, and now that I have it, I never want to let it go.
I once thought love was for fools
I used to believe that love was nothing more than a silly, pointless game that only led to heartbreak and disappointment.
For broken hearts and broken rules
I thought that love was something that only happened when people were struggling or making mistakes, and that it was never meant to be easy or happy.
We're pulling over to the side of the road
We are taking a moment to pause and reflect on our love, and to decide what direction we want it to take.
Decide if it's love or just an overload
We are considering whether this intense feeling we are experiencing is true love, or whether it is just a temporary rush of emotion that will fade over time.
Girl I, I need to know, ooh, I gotta know
I am feeling so deeply about you that I need to be sure that what we are experiencing is real and true, and that it will last for a lifetime.
Lovelight's burnin' in your eyes
I can see that your love for me is still strong, and that it is continuing to grow and deepen over time.
It feels like love, come on
What we are experiencing is the real deal, and it is something that we should be proud of and cherish for the rest of our lives.
Feels like love, I need it every day
This love that I am feeling is something that I need in my life every single day, and I cannot imagine living without it.
Feels like love, every day
Our love is something that will continue to grow and flourish over time, and it will become a deeper and more meaningful part of our everyday lives.
Feels like love
Our love is a true and powerful force, and it is something that will last for a lifetime.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES M. PETERIK, FRANKIE M., III SULLIVAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ray Hackett
How Much Love"
How can I tell you
To put it all in words
There is so much left to say
But the meaning slips away
How can I show you
To see it through my eyes
Don't deny that part of youΒ
That's been dying for it too
[Chorus]
--How do I know if I give you too much
Will I scare you away
How do I know when to leave you alone
When to beg you to stay
--I wanna know
Just how much love does it take
--to get to you
I stand here ready to break
--Tell me, tell me
--How much love does it take
Moment to moment
I don't know where it stands
Will I end up like the rest
Well it's anybody' guess
Can I persuade you
So softly in a touch
If it's all a waste of time
Well I'm only wasting mine
[Chorus]
How do I know when to leave you alone
When to beg you to stay
--I wanna know
Just how much love does it take
To get to you
I stand here ready to break
Tell me, tell me
Just how much love does it take
It's up to you
I stand here ready to break
Tell me, tell me
Oh tell me, tell me
How much love does it take
Norman Tyler
In my opinion, these guys are the most underrated rock bands of all time.
M_Dutch97
Survivor and Toto as well.
Ramiz DayΔ±
yes.
Brendan Keenan
I absolutely love Survivor with Jimi Jamison he had one of the best voices in rock they never made a bad album with Jimi on vocals it's a pity that he had to die but he left us a great back catalogue the fans will miss him R.I.P Jimi you were one in a million.
Vans Hayrapetyan
Rip sweet Jimi Jamison !
Alejandro Moncada
What an amazing and clean voice !!
Diana Velasquez
Gena Bourassa his voice is so sweet ,he was a sweet guy ,,humble , i'll love him for ever
Gena Bourassa
I was a real Steve Perry fan but since I've been listening to Jimi Jamison I prefer Jimi he has such heart and his tone is something I've come to like very much I can't stop listening to him
RafaΕ Derlik
I respect Steve Perry ,but in my opinion he can't even compare to Jimi Jamison. No one can . Jimi was and still is the greatest singer in the history of music
Ivette Martinez
Thanks for all the years of great music, the best voice of all times. The world and the faithful fans are mourning the loss is great. RIP JJ