They don’t make them any cooler than Jerry The Iceman Butler. He was a founding member of The Impressions, a successful solo artist, and a respected politician in Chicago. This truly remarkable man died last year at the age of 85.

Only The Strong Survive was written in 1968 by Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff. It may be 58 years old but it’s still a timely tune.

We begin with the songwriter:

Elvis. Say no more.

Skeeter Davis puts a country spin on this soul classic.

Billy Paul brings the Philadelphia sound to this week’s tune.

Bruce Springsteen used Only The Strong Survive as the title track of his 2022 covers album.

There aren’t any first rate instrumental versions of the Butler, Gamble, and Huff classic, so here’s a Tubes song with the same title.

That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to Jazz Fest 2026. It’s what Danny Barker, Dr. John, and Pete Fountain would want. Never argue with them.