"Man Against the World" by Survivor

Song#:  3113
Date:  05/09/1987
Debut:  94
Peak:  86
Weeks:  5
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  The band's second single from their LP When Seconds Count, "How Much Love," didn't perform as well as expected topping out at a tepid #51. For the third single, the band pushed out this power ballad. They had luck with one from their previous album when "The Search Is Over" got to #4 Pop and #1 AC, but this time around it wasn't meant to be. The song barely dented the Pop chart and then disappeared after a few weeks. It was unable to crack the AC chart. It would be nearly a year and a half before the band could get back on the Pop chart.

ReduxReview:  Just like "How Much Love," this was another well-done song that was a shade too similar to a previous hit from the band. While it wasn't necessarily a repeat of "The Search Is Over," it was almost like they tried to create another ballad hit based on the previous song's formula. Other songs from the album played the same way as well. It was almost as if they decided to take everything that worked on their previous album Vital Signs and rehashed it for the next LP. Unfortunately, it all sounded a little been-there-heard-that. Granted, I will say that I kind of like the When Seconds Count album. It is full of sweet, hooky pop/rock tracks that are easy to digest. The problem is that in the end they are just not satisfying or filling and they burn off of your mind rather quickly leaving you hungry for something more substantial.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Along with their big #2 hit "Burning Heart," this song was written for use in the blockbuster film Rocky IV. Unfortunately, the portion of the movie that featured the tune ended up on the cutting room floor. Therefore, the song was not including on the platinum-selling soundtrack album. The omission allowed Survivor to use the track for their When Seconds Count album. In 2006, the Rocky IV soundtrack LP got the reissue treatment and it included "Man Against the World" as a bonus track.

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