Complete List Of Survivor Albums And Songs

Feature Photo: Staffan Vilcans, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Survivor was formed in Chicago in 1978 by guitarist/songwriter Frankie Sullivan and keyboardist/guitarist Jim Peterik. The band achieved its greatest success in the 1980s with their anthem “Eye of the Tiger,” written at the request of actor Sylvester Stallone for the movie Rocky III. This track propelled them into international stardom as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six consecutive weeks. At the 25th Annual Grammy Awards in 1983, “Eye of the Tiger” won Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

Survivor released eight studio albums between their self-titled debut and Reach. Their other well-known hits include “Burning Heart,” which reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, “The Search Is Over,” which reached number four, and “High on You,” which reached number eight. The band’s music style combines elements of rock, hard rock, arena rock, and melodic pop.

The band underwent several lineup changes throughout its history. Co-founder Jim Peterik left the group in 1996, marking a significant change in Survivor’s long-running partnership, while Frankie Sullivan remained the only original member represented on the band’s final studio album, Reach.

SURVIVOR STUDIO ALBUMS

Survivor (1979)

Released: 1979

Survivor is the debut studio album by the rock band Survivor. The album was recorded at Record Plant Studio C in Los Angeles and Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver. Its blending of rock, AOR, and hard rock laid the groundwork for the band’s signature sound, although the record did not achieve the significant chart success of Survivor’s later albums.

The album featured Dave Bickler on vocals and keyboards, Frankie Sullivan on guitar and backing vocals, Jim Peterik on guitar and vocals, Dennis Keith Johnson on bass, and Gary Smith on drums. It was produced by Ron Nevison and Barry Mraz.

CD Track Listings:

“Somewhere in America” – 5:14
“Can’t Getcha Offa My Mind” – 3:00
“Let It Be Now” – 3:39
“As Soon as Love Finds Me” – 2:52
“Youngblood” – 3:32
“Love Has Got Me” – 3:37
“Whole Town’s Talkin'” – 3:32
“20/20” – 3:23
“Freelance” – 3:37
“Nothing Can Shake Me (From Your Love)” – 4:09

Premonition (1981)

Released: 1981

Premonition elevated Survivor’s profile and introduced a more refined rock sound. The album was recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles and made further inroads for the band on the Billboard 200.

Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik continued their roles, with Stephan Ellis joining on bass and Marc Droubay on drums. Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan served as the principal producers, helping shape the anthemic rock sound that would define Survivor’s most successful period.

CD Track Listings:

“Chevy Nights” – 3:38
“Summer Nights” – 4:08
“Poor Man’s Son” – 3:37
“Runaway Lights” – 4:18
“Take You on a Saturday” – 4:07
“Light of a Thousand Smiles” – 5:00
“Love Is on My Side” – 3:37
“Heart’s a Lonely Hunter” – 5:12

Eye of the Tiger (1982)

Survivor / Eye of the Tiger (Original Inner Sleeve w / Lyrics)

Released: June 1982

Eye of the Tiger, released in June 1982, became Survivor’s most successful album, driven by the iconic title track, which was used in the movie Rocky III. The album was recorded at Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California, and produced by Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik. It reached number two on the Billboard 200, while “Eye of the Tiger” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

CD Track Listings:

“Eye of the Tiger” – 4:05
“Feels Like Love” – 4:08
“Hesitation Dance” – 3:51
“The One That Really Matters” – 3:31
“I’m Not That Man Anymore” – 4:47
“Children of the Night” – 4:45
“Ever Since the World Began” – 3:41
“American Heartbeat” – 4:09
“Silver Girl” – 4:52

Caught in the Game (1983)

Released: September 1983

Caught in the Game, released in September 1983, was recorded and mixed at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles. The album did not replicate the success of its predecessor on the Billboard charts but showcased Survivor’s depth in songwriting and production. Frankie Sullivan produced the album, with Jim Peterik serving as assistant producer.

CD Track Listings:

“Caught in the Game” – 4:46
“Jackie Don’t Go” – 4:05
“I Never Stopped Loving You” – 4:08
“It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way” – 4:00
“Ready for the Real Thing” – 3:54
“Half-Life” – 5:03
“What Do You Really Think?” – 3:49
“Slander” – 5:19
“Santa Ana Winds” – 6:34

Vital Signs (1984)

Released: 1984

Vital Signs marked a turning point for Survivor, introducing a more polished sound with new lead vocalist Jimi Jamison. Recorded at The Plant Studios in Sausalito and the Record Plant in Los Angeles, it was produced by Ron Nevison. The album reached number sixteen on the Billboard 200 and produced several major hit singles, including “High on You” and “The Search Is Over.”

CD Track Listings:

“I Can’t Hold Back” – 3:59
“High on You” – 4:09
“First Night” – 4:17
“The Search Is Over” – 4:13
“Broken Promises” – 3:58
“Popular Girl” – 3:37
“Everlasting” – 3:52
“It’s the Singer Not the Song” – 4:32
“I See You in Everyone” – 4:26

When Seconds Count (1986)

Released: October 1986

When Seconds Count continued Survivor’s mid-1980s run with Jimi Jamison on lead vocals. Recorded at several studios, including One on One Studios, the Record Plant, Rumbo Recorders, and Royal Recorders, the album was produced by Ron Nevison and Frankie Sullivan. It featured the hit single “Is This Love,” which reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10.

CD Track Listings:

“How Much Love” – 3:58
“Keep It Right Here” – 4:31
“Is This Love” – 3:41
“Man Against the World” – 3:35
“Rebel Son” – 4:39
“Oceans” – 4:39
“When Seconds Count” – 4:07
“Backstreet Love Affair” – 4:01
“In Good Faith” – 4:23
“Can’t Let You Go” – 4:42

Too Hot to Sleep (1988)

Released: October 1988

Too Hot to Sleep was released in October 1988, presenting a grittier, more rock-oriented sound. The album was recorded at Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Right Track Recording in New York City. Produced by Frankie Sullivan and Frank Filipetti, it showcased mature songwriting and sophisticated production but did not achieve significant commercial success.

CD Track Listings:

“She’s a Star” – 4:24
“Desperate Dreams” – 4:46
“Too Hot to Sleep” – 4:47
“Didn’t Know It Was Love” – 4:24
“Rhythm of the City” – 4:29
“Here Comes Desire” – 4:54
“Across the Miles” – 5:55
“Tell Me I’m the One” – 4:16
“Can’t Give It Up” – 4:36
“Burning Bridges” – 5:22

Reach (2006)

Released: April 2006

Reach, released in April 2006, marked Survivor’s return to the studio after an eighteen-year gap. The album was recorded at Track Record Studios in North Hollywood and Chicago Recording Company in Chicago and was produced by Frankie Sullivan. Jimi Jamison handled most of the lead vocals, with Sullivan also taking lead vocals on two tracks. Dave Bickler did not perform on the album, although he received songwriting credits on “One More Chance” and “I Don’t,” two songs with roots in Survivor’s 1990s writing and recording period.