Fight to Survive | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | December 16, 1985 | |||
Recorded | February 1984 | |||
Studio | Hotline Studios (Frankfurt, Germany) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 44:32 | |||
Label | Victor | |||
Producer | Peter Hauke | |||
White Lion chronology | ||||
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Singles from Fight to Survive | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Sputnikmusic | 4/5 [3] |
Rock Hard | 8.5/10 [4] |
Fight to Survive is the debut studio album by the American-Danish glam metal band White Lion, released in late 1985 by Victor Records in Japan, and in June 1986 by Grand Slamm Records in the US. The album charted at No. 151 on the Billboard 200.
The band was signed to Elektra Records, which shelved the album with no intention of publishing it in the USA. Philadelphia-based Grand Slamm Records bought the album from Elektra and released it in America the following year. [5] Tramp has noted that once White Lion was dropped by Elektra Records, their manager managed to get the right to license the album and release it in Japan. [6] The album actually broke in Europe before it did in the USA thanks to magazines covering the band. Tramp is very proud of songs like "All the Fallen Men" and "Kid of 1,000 Faces," which he considers among the darkest songs they have written.
The song "Broken Heart" was released as the band's debut single and featured a music video with drummer Greg D'Angelo and bassist Dave Spitz appearing in the video and it was recorded on stage at L'Amour in Brooklyn. [7] The track was re-recorded and updated for the band's 1991 release, Mane Attraction , and featured a new music video. "El Salvador" was released as a promo single.
In an interview in the book "Nothin' But a Good Time" with guitarist Vito Bratta, he told that people said that he improved much between "Fight to survive" and "Pride". He explained that they started the recording sessions of the "Fight to survive" album with the drums and bass. He played the guitar as a backing track to guide Robinson and Spitz. When they were finished with drums, bass and later vocals the time was out, so they couldn't do anything and have to keep that guitar material. They returned in 1986 to same studio to record Pride. Finished, and back in New York, they choose to erase this because he thinks that is sounds too much like 1983, and much has happened since then.[ citation needed ]
All songs written by Mike Tramp & Vito Bratta, except where noted.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Broken Heart" | 3:33 | |
2. | "Cherokee" | 4:56 | |
3. | "Fight to Survive" | Tramp, Bratta, Nicky Capozzi | 5:14 |
4. | "Where Do We Run" | Tramp, Bratta, Felix Robinson | 3:29 |
5. | "In the City" | Tramp, Bratta, Capozzi, Robinson | 4:39 |
6. | "All the Fallen Men" | 4:53 | |
7. | "All Burn in Hell" | Tramp, Bratta, Capozzi | 4:21 |
8. | "Kid of 1000 Faces" | Tramp, Bratta, Capozzi, Robinson | 4:02 |
9. | "El Salvador" | 4:49 | |
10. | "The Road to Valhalla" | 4:30 | |
Total length: | 44:32 |
Some earlier remastered versions of the album feature several live bonus tracks. However, these were recorded during the Pride tour by the band's classic lineup, quite some time after this album. Fight To Survive was re-released in 2014 by Rock Candy Records in a special deluxe collector's edition with fully remastered sound shaped from 24 bit digital technology. The package contains a 12-page full color booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and a new interview with vocalist Mike Tramp.
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200 [8] | 151 |
White Lion was a Danish-American glam metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist/guitarist Mike Tramp and Italian-American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, they released their debut album Fight to Survive in 1985. The band achieved success with their No. 8 hit "Wait" and No. 3 hit "When the Children Cry" from their second album, the double platinum selling Pride. The band continued their success with their third album, Big Game which achieved Gold status and their fourth album Mane Attraction which included a supporting tour. White Lion disbanded in 1992 and not long afterwards, their first compilation album, The Best of White Lion was released.
Pride is the second studio album by the American-Danish glam-metal band White Lion, released on June 22, 1987, by Atlantic Records. The album featured the two top ten hits "Wait" and "When the Children Cry". It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and remained in the Billboard Top 200 for a full year, selling two million copies in the US alone.
Vito Bratta is an American guitarist and the former co songwriter for the glam metal band White Lion. He co-founded White Lion with lead singer Mike Tramp in 1983 and played with the band until 1991.
Michael Trempenau, better known as Mike Tramp, is a Danish singer best known for his work with the glam metal band White Lion, which he was the sole continuous member of the band until their disbandment in 2013. Since 1998, he has also released several solo albums. In 2012, Tramp went on a solo acoustic tour releasing acoustic albums in both 2013 and 2014. He returned with a full band lineup in 2015 and in 2017, released the album Maybe Tomorrow, which charted at number 1 in Denmark.
Big Game is the third studio album by the American glam metal band White Lion. It was released on June 5, 1989, by Atlantic Records, reaching #19 on The Billboard 200 album chart, #28 in Canada and #47 In the UK. The album contains the MTV hits, "Little Fighter", "Radar Love" and "Cry for Freedom". This album has a lighter sound than previous albums.
Mane Attraction is the fourth studio album by the glam metal band White Lion. It was released in 1991 by Atlantic Records, and reached No. 61 on the Billboard 200 and No. 31 in the UK.
The Best of White Lion is the first greatest hits compilation album from the glam metal band White Lion, released in September 1992. The compilation features all of White Lion's charted singles from their three most successful albums: Pride, Big Game and Mane Attraction.
"Wait" is a power ballad recorded by White Lion and written by White Lion vocalist Mike Tramp and guitarist Vito Bratta. It was the lead single from their second album, Pride.
Lion was an American rock band known for the theme song in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), their debut song "Love Is a Lie" in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), and their songs "Never Surrender" and "Power Love" in The Wraith (1986).
Freak of Nature was an American heavy metal /alternative-rock band, formed in 1992 by former White Lion co-founder/vocalist, Danish singer Mike Tramp. The band was formed after White Lion broke up and the follow-up was significantly darker and harder than White Lion. The band released three albums and then disbanded in 1996. Following Freak of Nature, Mike Tramp released several solo albums and also reformed White Lion with a new line up.
"When the Children Cry" is a power ballad performed by Danish-American glam metal band White Lion. It is the third single and closing track on their 1987 album, Pride. It peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in Canada, and number 88 in the United Kingdom.
"Broken Heart" is the debut single from the hard rock band White Lion.
"Love Don't Come Easy" is a song and single by American/Danish glam metal band White Lion. The song is the first single presented to radio stations from their 1991 album Mane Attraction and features a music video. The song peaked at number 24 on the Album Rock Tracks chart in the US.
"Lights and Thunder" is a song by American/Danish glam metal band White Lion and was released as a single in the UK from their 1991 album Mane Attraction. The song charted at No. 95 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Cry for Freedom" is a power ballad song by American/Danish glam metal band White Lion. The song was released as the third single for their 1989 album Big Game which peaked at number 19 on The Billboard 200. The song was released in 1990 and charted at #19 on the Dutch singles charts.
"Little Fighter" is a song by American-Danish glam metal band White Lion and was the first single released from the 1989 album Big Game.
Rocking the USA is the first White Lion live compilation album released in 2005, now better known as Tramp's White Lion or White Lion 2, with all new band members again but still features original lead singer Mike Tramp.
Return of the Pride is the fifth and final studio album featuring original material by White Lion. The album was released in 2008 on March 14 (Europe), April 9 (Japan), April 29 . The album was produced by singer Mike Tramp and bassist Claus Langeskov and recorded during 2007 in both Australia and Copenhagen, Denmark.
"Tell Me" is a song by American/Danish glam metal band White Lion. The song was released in 1988 and is the second single from their 1987 album Pride. It peaked at number 25 on the Mainstream Rock chart and number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Mike Tramp & The Rock 'N' Roll Circuz is a studio album by former Freak of Nature and current White Lion lead vocalist Mike Tramp, released on 5 October 2009. The album is Tramp's fifth solo album and the first since 2004's Songs I Left Behind.