Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Survivalincludes the R&B chart-topping single "Give the People What They Want" and "Let Me Make Love to You", which reached #10 on the same chart. Survival matched exactly the chart performance of its predecessor Ship Ahoy, topping the R&B chart and peaking at #11 on the pop chart. Critical assessment of the album tends to the view that, while it may not reach the peaks of Back Stabbers or Ship Ahoy, it is nevertheless a strong, worthwhile recording in its own right. (Allmusic's Ron Wynn notes "It was unrealistic to expect masterpieces every time out".)
