“Survivor” is from Destiny’s Child’s third studio album of the same name. Unlike the group’s previous two albums, the majority of the songs on Survivor were co-written and co-produced by Beyoncé.

After Destiny’s Child went through several lineup changes — having brought on Michelle Williams and along the way dropping LaTavia Roberson, LeToya Luckett and Farrah Franklin — critics compared the rotating roster to the elimination reality TV show Survivor. In response, Beyoncé reportedly wrote this song and recorded it with permanent group members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Former group members sued Destiny’s Child because of several “derisive comments” such as, “You thought I wouldn’t sell without you/sold nine million.”

“Survivor” was released in 2001 and the controversy surrounding it helped the song peak at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Destiny’s Child went on to win many awards for the song such as the MTV Video Music Award for Best R&B Video in 2001 and Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 2002.