It is 1979. The music industry is shifting under the weight of disco and the looming shadow of the 1980s. In the middle of this, a bunch of guys from Illinois are trying to figure out if they’re a hard rock band or the pop-hit machine the world would soon know them as. They release an album called Nine Lives. On that record sits a track that often gets overshadowed by the massive ballads that came later.
REO Speedwagon Only the Strong Survive isn't just a song title. It’s a mission statement.
Honestly, if you only know the band from "Keep On Loving You," this track might catch you off guard. It’s got teeth. Written by the late, legendary guitarist Gary Richrath, it represents the bridge between their bar-band roots and the arena-shaking success of Hi Infidelity. It’s raw. It’s loud. It’s Midwestern rock at its most honest.
The Story Behind the Song
Gary Richrath was the soul of REO’s early sound. While Kevin Cronin brought the melodic, sensitive touch that dominated the 80s, Richrath was the guy with the Les Paul and the cigarette, pushing for more grit. REO Speedwagon Only the Strong Survive was his baby.
The song captures a specific moment in time. The band had been touring relentlessly. They were "road dogs" in the truest sense of the word. You can hear that exhaustion and defiance in the lyrics. It’s about the struggle of the industry, the grind of the road, and the sheer willpower required to stay relevant when the "next big thing" is always nipping at your heels.
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Musically, it’s a powerhouse. Neal Doughty’s keyboards aren’t the shimmering synths of their later hits; they’re driving and textured. The rhythm section of Alan Gratzer and Bruce Hall keeps it locked in a way that feels heavy but nimble. But really, it’s the guitar work that defines this era.
Why Nine Lives Was a Turning Point
Most casual fans skip from 1978's You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish straight to the 1980 explosion. That’s a mistake. Nine Lives is where the band really found the balance.
- It reached No. 33 on the Billboard charts.
- It was their last truly "rock" focused studio effort before the pop polish took over.
- REO Speedwagon Only the Strong Survive served as a standout track that proved they could still out-rock the newcomers.
Richrath’s soloing on this track is signature. He had this way of making the guitar cry and scream at the same time. It’s melodic but aggressive. For many long-time fans, this is the "real" REO Speedwagon.
Decoding the Lyrics and Impact
"So calm down, honey, forget about the money." That opening line sets a mood. It’s conversational. It feels like a late-night talk in a tour bus or a dimly lit bar in Peoria.
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The song deals with the reality of relationships under pressure. It’s not a "flower and candy" kind of love song. It’s a "we’re going to get through this because we have to" kind of song. That’s why the phrase REO Speedwagon Only the Strong Survive resonates so well. It applies to the band's career just as much as it applies to the characters in the song.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that this song was a massive radio hit. It actually wasn't. While it's a staple for die-hard fans and appeared on several "Best Of" compilations (including a 1998 release actually titled Only the Strong Survive), it peaked at #91 on the Cashbox charts.
It was a slow burner. It was the kind of song that worked better in a live setting than on a 1979 radio station sandwiched between Donna Summer and The Bee Gees. When you hear it live, the energy is different. Kevin Cronin’s vocals have an edge that he sometimes smoothed out for the later ballads.
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The Legacy of Gary Richrath
You can't talk about REO Speedwagon Only the Strong Survive without acknowledging Gary. He left the band in 1989, and while the band continued with great success, the "Richrath sound" was a specific ingredient.
Interestingly, after he left, Gary formed his own band, simply called Richrath. They released an album in 1992 also titled Only the Strong Survive. It’s clear the phrase meant something deep to him. It wasn't just a song he wrote for REO in '79; it was his philosophy. He was a survivor in an industry that eats guitarists for breakfast.
When he passed away in 2015, the tributes poured in. Kevin Cronin himself noted that Gary was the one who brought the "rock" to the "rock and roll." This song is the perfect evidence of that.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Musicians
If you're a fan of classic rock or a musician looking to understand the dynamics of a band in transition, here is how you should approach this track:
- Listen to the Nine Lives version first. Don't go for the later live recordings immediately. Hear the studio production and how the instruments are layered.
- Analyze the guitar tone. Richrath used a very specific "wah" pedal technique to get that vocal-like quality in his solos. It’s a masterclass in expression.
- Contrast it with Hi Infidelity. Listen to "Only the Strong Survive" and then listen to "Keep On Loving You." You’ll see exactly how the band evolved their sound to conquer the 80s.
- Look for the 1998 Compilation. If you want a curated experience of their harder-hitting tracks, the Only the Strong Survive compilation album is a great starting point for the pre-superstar era.
The song is a reminder that longevity in any field—not just music—requires a certain level of toughness. It’s about sticking to your guns when everyone else is changing their tune. REO Speedwagon might be known for their ballads, but it was their strength that kept them alive through the decades.