Only the Strong Survive
Jerry Butler
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
I remember, my first love affair Somehow or another the whole darn thing went wrong My mama had some great advice So I thought I'd put it into words of this song I can still hear her saying it Boy, oh, I see you're sitting out there all alone Cryin' your eyes out 'Cause the woman that you love has gone There's gonna be, there's gonna be A whole lot of trouble in your life So listen to me get up off of your knees 'Cause only the strong survive That's what she said Only the strong survive, only the strong survive You've got to be strong, you'd better hold on Don't go, all around with your head hung down I wouldn't let that little girl No, I wouldn't let her know That she made me feel like a clown There's a whole lot a girl Lookin' for a good man like you Oh, but you'll never meet them if you give up now And say, your life is through Then she said it Only the strong survive, only the strong survive You've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand So I am telling you right now Only the strong survive, only the strong survive You've got to be strong, you'd better hold on Don't worry about it Don't you know that things are gonna change But you've got to be a man, you've got to take a stand Don't ever feel that like you can make it baby
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: JERRY BUTLER, KENNETH GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release Date"Only the Strong Survive" was released as a single by Jerry Butler in 1968.
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Song Chart SuccessThe song became one of Butler's biggest hits, reaching #1 on the Billboard R&B chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
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Song ProducersFamous producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff arranged and produced the song. It was one of Gamble and Huff's earliest successful songs, which propelled them to further fame as iconic soul music producers.
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Inspirational DimensionThe song, with its theme of resilience and survival, became an inspirational anthem during difficult times and is often played at gatherings and memorials.
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Cover VersionsNumerous artists have covered "Only the Strong Survive", including Elvis Presley in 1969, Billy Paul in 1977, and J. Blackfoot in 1983.
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Album InclusionThe song is included in Butler's album "The Ice Man Cometh" which was released in the same year, naming it after Butler's nickname "The Ice Man".
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Recognized Impact"Only the Strong Survive" has been recognized as one of the foundation songs of Chicago soul, a genre known for its lush arrangements and gospel-inspired vocals.
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Grammy Hall of FameIn 1999, "Only the Strong Survive" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance".
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Butler's CareerThe song solidified Jerry Butler's status as a successful solo artist after he left the iconic group The Impressions in 1960.
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Personal InspirationJerry Butler was inspired by his personal experiences and the teachings of his grandmother when writing this song.
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Citation
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"Only the Strong Survive Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/17704110/Jerry+Butler/Only+the+Strong+Survive>.
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