:Survivor (Destiny's Child song)

"Survivor" was written by Anthony Dent, Destiny's Child band member Beyoncé Knowles and her father Mathew, while production was helmed by Dent and Beyoncé. The lyrics address the hardships that the band experienced in 2000,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/destinys-child-cast-as-survivor-79893/ |title=Destiny's Child Cast As 'Survivor' |date=May 1, 2001 |access-date=July 8, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}} when original members LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett split from Knowles and Kelly Rowland, and were replaced by Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin. Soon afterwards Franklin was also dismissed from the group, leading to more well-publicized personnel changes.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/jun/10/life1.lifemagazine5 |title=Date with destiny |first=Jancee |last=Dunn |work=The Observer |publisher=Guardian Media Group |date=June 10, 2001 |access-date=April 16, 2011}} According to Knowles, the group was publicly compared to the reality series Survivor, which inspired her to "write us out of all that negativity."{{cite video |people=Knowles, Beyoncé; Wickham, Nick (director) |date=November 23, 2009 |title=I Am... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas |medium=DVD |publisher=Columbia Records}}

Dent initially envisioned his instrumental track to be recorded by rapper Lil' Kim,{{cite web|title=Anthony Dent speaks on producing "Survivor" for Beyonce |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksOHrS-RqN4|work=HBCUmix.com|via=YouTube| date=January 21, 2011|access-date=July 8, 2022}} before Beyoncé used it to pen the lyrics, melody and vocal arrangement for "Survivor."{{cite book |author=Taraborrelli, J. Randy|date= October 29, 2015|title=Becoming Beyoncé: The Untold Story |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wrttCQAAQBAJ |location= |publisher=Pan Macmillan |page= |isbn=9780283072246}} Much of the song was written during a flight to the next city while Destiny's Child was opening for singer Christina Aguilera during her Christina Aguilera in Concert tour. Knowles later elaborated on the process: "I wrote it quickly because I was frustrated. For me, it was all about what survival means for women, and how hard it is to be one when there are people out there who are trying to bring you down." She further commented on its concept in an interview with MTV in which she stated that "Survivor" was "basically about surviving different situations. Everyone in this world that I know, they've survived something, and I know the song is definitely inspirational. It really makes you feel strong, and it really makes you feel like you can survive anything."

Recording of the song took place at the SugarHill Studios in Houston, Texas in late 2000. "Survivor" was the first song from its parent album Survivor to be recorded. In a promotional 2001 interview with Billboard, Williams commented on the recording process: "Words can't describe how we felt when we recorded that song. Some of us were crying, others were jumping up and down [...] We prayed before that session, and the energy in that session was so high –— the room was heated." The chanting of the word "what!" in the chorus was Mathew Knowles' contribution to the song and added late into the recording of the "Survivor" after he had walked into the session while the band was recording and felt that a chanting part would suggest audience participation. The group debuted the song live during their RodeoHouston concert on February 18, 2001.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Michael D. |date=February 19, 2001 |title=Destiny's Child puts RodeoHouston on cutting edge |url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/Destiny-s-Child-puts-RodeoHouston-on-cutting-edge-1997796.php |website=Chron}}

The song is performed in the key of G{{sharp}} minor, with a tempo of 81 beats per minute in common time. In the harmonic minor scale, it follows a chord progression of G{{sharp}}m–C{{sharp}}m{{small|7}}–D{{sharp}}, and the group's vocals span an octave and a half, from G{{sharp}}₃ to C{{sharp}}₅.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0040047_U1|title=Destiny's Child "Survivor" Sheet Music in B Major (transposable) - Download & Print|last=Knowles|first=Mathew|website=Musicnotes.com|date=July 10, 2001 |access-date=March 7, 2018}}

Billboard critic Chuck Taylor noted that "Survivor" was "careful not to stray from the well-established formula that has made Destiny's Child the pop act du jour – a skittish stop- and-start beat, the puissant vocals of co-songwriter/producer Beyoncé Knowles, and a lyric about life in the victory lane when mankind does you wrong."{{cite magazine|last=Taylor |first=Chuck|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xMEAAAAMBAJ|title=Reviews & Previews – Singles (Spotlight)|magazine=Billboard|date=March 10, 2001|access-date=July 8, 2022}} In 2017 Billboard also named the song #40 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/100-greatest-girl-group-songs-7857816/|title=100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time: Critics' Picks|magazine=Billboard|date=July 10, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126113504/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7857816/100-greatest-girl-group-songs|archive-date=January 26, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2017}} AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that "Survivor" was "painfully labored, stuttering over a halting melody that Beyoncé Knowles breathlessly pushes to absolutely nowhere, working it so hard that it's difficult to listen."{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/survivor-mw0000002026|title=Survivor – Destiny's Child|website=AllMusic|access-date=July 8, 2022}}

"Survivor" debuted at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the group's second highest-debuting single to date, behind 2004's "Lose My Breath" at number 30. It quickly ascended through the chart, reaching its peak of number two within a month, remaining at the position for seven consecutive weeks. The song was not released on physical formats until after its airplay had peaked; it topped the Billboard Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales chart for eight weeks. It also peaked at number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single stayed atop the Hot 100 Airplay chart for five consecutive weeks and peaked at number three on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. Its DVD edition peaked at number nine on the US Top Music Videos chart.

In the United Kingdom, "Survivor" debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling 104,000 copies in its first week. It had sold 260,000 copies by the end of 2001, and has sold over 832,000 copies as of April 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-chart-flashback-2001-destinys-child-survivor__18885/|title=Official Chart Flashback 2001: Destiny's Child - Survivor|last=Myers|first=Justin|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=April 22, 2021|access-date=April 22, 2021}} It also topped the charts in Ireland and the Netherlands, while peaking at number two in Canada and number three in New Zealand.

Image:Point Dume, Malibu, United States (Unsplash).jpg.]]

An accompanying music video for "Survivor" was directed by Darren Grant and filmed in various locations throughout Los Angeles County, California on January 27–29, 2001.{{cite web|title=Destiny's Child Making Of Survivor Video Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogFZq-GX76g |work=Making the Video | date=July 2013 |via=YouTube| access-date=July 8, 2022}} The clip is styled in the sense of three survivors living on an uninhabited island. It also shows a brief prelude to how the trio got shipwrecked. Following their shipwreck, they uncover an island where they change clothes and walk into a waterfall leading to a deserted temple where it transforms into a dance break. It storms on through the dance bridge and the prelude of the shipwreck. After this, a helicopter starts buzzing leading to where the members are racing out of the island for their escape. External shots in the video were filmed at Point Dume State Beach on the coast of Malibu as well as the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, with the rest of the sequences being filmed at the Los Angeles Center Studios.{{cite web|title=Destiny's Child Making Of Survivor Video Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB3Be3PoYbQ |work=Making the Video | date=October 7, 2013 |via=YouTube| access-date=July 8, 2022}}

The final video premiered on MTV's making of documentary series Making the Video on March 6, 2001. One of Destiny's Child's "most difficult videos" to film due to the unseasonal weather conditions in California in late January 2001, the band was reportedly "sick for days" after shooting beach scenes in their skimpy outfits.{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Reilly|title=Destiny's Child were "sick for days" after 'Survivor' video shoot|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/destinys-child-were-sick-for-days-after-survivor-video-shoot-2945786 |work=NME |date= May 21, 2021| access-date=July 8, 2022}} The "Survivor" music video was later released on DVD with a live performance of "Independent Women Part I" at the 2001 Brit Awards on May 15, 2001. The release was a standard full-frame transfer that preserved the original aspect ratio of the video, with an English soundtrack rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. It was featured on the DualDisc edition of their greatest hits album #1's (2005), on the international edition of Survivor (2001) as an enhanced video, on the Walmart-exclusive DVD titled Fan Pack (2004), and on Video Anthology (2013). Director Cary Joji Fukunaga got his start in the film industry as a camera production assistant on the video.{{cite news |last=Bhattacharji |first=Alex |title=Director Cary Joji Fukunaga on Directing the Delayed James Bond Film 'No Time to Die' |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-bond-cary-joji-fukunaga-interview-no-time-to-die-11602287635 |work=Wall Street Journal |date=October 10, 2020}}

Former group members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson filed a lawsuit against Knowles, Rowland, 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.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76633/ex-destinys-child-members-sue-over-survivor |title=Ex-Destiny's Child Members Sue Over 'Survivor' |date=February 28, 2002 |access-date=March 24, 2013 |magazine=Billboard}}

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• US and Canadian CD single {{small|(44K 79566)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=US & Canadian CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44K 79566}}

1. "Survivor" (remix extended version featuring Da Brat) – 4:24
2. "Survivor" (Calderone club mix) – 9:26
3. "Survivor" (Calderone Drum Dub mix) – 6:45
4. "Survivor" (CB200 Club Anthem mix) – 6:20
5. "Survivor" (Azza'z soul remix) – 4:30

• US 7-inch single {{small|(38 079582)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38 079582}}

:A. "Survivor – 4:14

:B. "Survivor" (featuring Da Brat) – 4:24

• US 12-inch single {{small|(44 79566)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=US 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=44 79566}}

:A1. "Survivor" (Calderone club mix) – 9:26

:A2. "Survivor" (Calderone Drum Dub mix) – 6:45

:B1. "Survivor" (CB200 Club Anthem mix) – 6:20

:B2. "Survivor" (remix extended version featuring Da Brat) – 4:24

:B3. "Survivor" (Azza'z soul remix) – 4:30

• US DVD single {{small|(38D 79588)}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/survivor-pt-1-us-dvd-single-mw0000977099|title=Survivor Review by Perry Seibert|first=Perry|last=Seibert|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=September 26, 2021}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=US DVD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=38D 79588}}

1. "Survivor"
2. "Independent Women Part I" (live at The Brits 2001)

• European CD single {{small|(COL 670749 1)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=COL 670749 1}}

1. "Survivor" (album version)
2. "Survivor" (Azza'z soul remix radio edit)

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• UK CD1 {{small|(671173 2)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=671173 2}}

1. "Survivor" (album version) – 4:14
2. "Survivor" (Azza'z soul remix radio edit) – 3:56
3. "Survivor" (Victor Calderone club mix) – 9:26

• UK CD2 {{small|(671173 5)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=671173 5}}

1. "Survivor" (Jaimeson full vocal remix) – 6:19
2. "Independent Women Part I" (live at The Brits 2001) – 3:52
3. "So Good" (Maurice's soul remix) – 7:35
4. "Independent Women Part I" (live at The Brits 2001 video version)

• UK cassette single {{small|(671173 4)}}{{cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/cassette/single/6711734|title=Cassette Single-Destiny's Child – Survivor (Album Version) / Survivor (Maurice's Soul Survivor Mix) – Columbia – UK – 671173 4|website=45worlds.com|access-date=April 1, 2014}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Columbia Records|id=671173 4}}

1. "Survivor" (album version) – 4:14
2. "Survivor" (Maurice's Soul Survivor mix) – 7:51

• Australian CD single {{small|(670780.2)}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child|year=2001|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=Columbia Records|id=670780.2}}

1. "Survivor" (album version)
2. "So Good" (Maurice's soul remix)
3. "So Good" (Digital Black-N-Groove club mix)
4. "Independent Women Part I" (Joe Smooth 200 Proof 2 Step Mix)

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Credits adapted from the liner notes of Survivor.{{cite AV media notes |title=Survivor|others=Destiny's Child |date=2001|type=liner notes |publisher=Columbia Records}}

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• Rich Balmer – assistant engineer
• Kerren Berz – strings
• Orlando Calzada – engineer
• Anthony Dent – engineer, producer, writer
• Beyoncé Knowles – producer, vocals, writer

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• Mathew Knowles – executive producer, writer
• Redd – keyboards
• Kelly Rowland – vocals
• Brian Springer – engineer
• Michelle Williams – vocals

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Survivor"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|access-date=September 28, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|type=single|access-date=February 27, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|relyear=2001|certyear=2023|title=Survivor|artist=Destiny's Child|type=single|award=Platinum|id=8538|access-date=January 25, 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2001|certyear=2023|access-date=January 21, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2009|certyear=2024|access-date=October 28, 2024|note=Since 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2007|certmonth=5|type=ringtone|note=Full-length ringtone|access-date=May 23, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2001|certyear=2007|certmonth=8|refname=JPringtone|type=ringtone|note=Ringtone|access-date=May 23, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Platinum|relyear=2000|certyear=2021|refname=nzcert|source=radioscope|access-date=December 17, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|nosales=true|access-date=March 27, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2001|access-date=September 28, 2014}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2015|id=6402-1734-1|salesamount=832,000|salesref=}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Platinum|relyear=2001|certyear=2020|access-date=July 12, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=videosingle|artist=Destiny's Child|title=Survivor|award=Gold|relyear=2001|certyear=2003|refname="usvideocert"|note=Video single}}

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• List of number-one singles of 2001 (Ireland)
• List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 2000s
• List of UK R&B Singles Chart number ones of 2001
• List of number-one songs in Norway

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|Wmc8bQoL-J0|Official music video}}

{{Destiny's Child singles}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video}}

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Category:2000 songs

Category:2001 singles

Category:Columbia Records singles

Category:Destiny's Child songs

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Darren Grant

Category:Number-one singles in Norway

Category:Song recordings produced by Beyoncé

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Songs written by Anthony Dent

Category:Songs written by Beyoncé

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles