Sole Survivor

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the cosmic sounds of Asia's "Sole Survivor" from their iconic 1982 debut album, Asia, spinning on THE ZOO with your favorite hippie DJs, the Zoo Crew! This track, the third single from the album, is a progressive rock gem that hit the Top Ten on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Charts, though it peaked at #75 in Germany and #91 in the UK. Written by Geoffrey Downes and the late John Wetton, "Sole Survivor" weaves a tale of resilience with its pulsating synths and soaring guitars, featuring some slick 7/8 time signatures for that extra jumpy groove. Fun fact: the song found its way into the 1982 Japanese anime Future War 198X in some foreign versions, adding a cinematic edge to its legacy. Even The Onion got in on the joke in 2000, with a satirical piece titled "Sole Survivor Of Air Crash Has Asia's 'Sole Survivor' Stuck In Head," proving this track’s got a knack for sticking with you.

Digging deeper, "Sole Survivor" has sparked some chatter among fans and critics alike. On Reddit, user vintageideals, a huge John Wetton fan, praised the entire Asia album, calling it a beginning-to-end masterpiece, though some felt the band’s second album, Alpha, lacked the same spark. Over at starlingdb.org, a reviewer lauded the song’s catchy synth-pop groove, noting how it balances Steve Howe’s restrained guitar work with Downes’ dominant keyboards, creating a sound that’s distinctly Asia but occasionally feels like it could sneak onto a Duran Duran record. The song’s music video, described by PopMatters critic Dennis Shin as one of the top ‘80s videos, blends instrumental rock drama with bittersweet lyrics, making it a staple for Zoo Freaks craving that retro rush.

Now, let’s rewind to how Asia came to be. Formed in London in 1981, this supergroup brought together prog-rock royalty: John Wetton from King Crimson and U.K., Steve Howe from Yes, Geoff Downes from Yes and The Buggles, and Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The seeds were planted when Wetton and Howe were paired up by A&R man John Kalodner and Geffen Records to write new material. After some trial and error—fun fact, ELO’s Roy Wood and Yes’s Trevor Rabin were briefly considered—Palmer and Downes joined, and the chemistry clicked. Their debut album, Asia, dropped in 1982, skyrocketing to #1 in several countries, with hits like "Heat of the Moment" and "Sole Survivor" dominating MTV and radio. Despite critics griping about the shift to radio-friendly AOR, fans ate it up, and Asia sold out arenas on their first tour, kicking off at Clarkson University in New York.

Want to keep up with Asia and their enduring legacy? Check out their official website at asiafanclub.godaddysites.com for tour updates and more. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest news and throwback vibes. Fans can also dive into the community at the Asia Fan Club on Facebook or explore fan-driven content at sites like ProgArchives, where you can rate albums and join discussions. So, Zoo Freaks, crank up "Sole Survivor" and let the Zoo Crew guide you through the prog-rock cosmos!