"The One That Really Matters" by Survivor

Song#:  1312
Date:  01/22/1983
Debut:  90
Peak:  74
Weeks:  6
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  This song became the third charting single from Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" album. The LP did well thanks to the mega-success of the title track. However, it seemed to be lacking follow-up material with "American Heartbeat" modestly getting into the Top 20 (#17) and this single barely getting out of the basement. It was going to be tough for them to live up to the legacy of "Eye" and indeed they did stumble with their next album. They would eventually have a major comeback late in '84 and erase any doubts surrounding their hit-making abilities.

ReduxReview:  There is nothing bad about this song. I just find it to be a bland rock track. There is nothing here that would capture my attention if I heard it on the radio. The band is more than capable of writing a hit, but this album had very little to offer up for a single besides "Eye." Without that song, I think this album would have disappeared quickly. It's an average rock album that got a significant boost thanks to a freakishly great soundtrack song.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  The cover of Survivor's 1980 debut album featured a blonde woman in an Air force uniform. Her hand partially blocks her face. Despite that, you may recognize the woman. It is Academy Award winner Kim Basinger. She was a model early on and then began an acting career around 1976. She appeared in several TV shows before moving to the big screen with 1981's "Hard Country," a film co-written by singer/songwriter Michael Martin Murphey. Basinger would take a left turn into music when she starred in Tim Burton's 1989 film "Batman." She did some vocals for Prince, who composed the music for the film (apparently, the pair were dating). Around the same time, Prince wrote and produced an album for Basinger. Although no one really knows why, the album, titled "Hollywood Affair," never got released. However, copies of the CD have surfaced. [Note: You can find the songs on YouTube. A good chunk of folks think the album is awful. I listened to some tracks. It ain't good, but it's not that terrible. There also seems to be controversy (pun intended) that Prince did not write/produce this album. But the timing of the film, studio work for the soundtrack, and their relationship seem to suggest it's legit.]

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