Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive

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Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor I Will Survive

Disco Music

The lyrics to the song tell of a woman finding strength to send her ex-companion packing when he returns after their devastating breakup. The singer realizes it was a bad relationship. This song has grown in popularity far beyond an anthem for women’s empowerment. It extends to gay rights and for those who believe they’ll survive bad circumstances.  The song was written by former Motown producers and songwriters Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren. The story behind the song goes something like this. After Fekaris was fired by Motown records, where he had been a staff writer, he was wondering how he was going to make a living. He was watching TV and on came a song he had written for the theme of the film Generation, which was performed by Rare Earth. He took is as a good sing. He jumped up saying, “I’m going to make it. I’m going to be a songwriter. I will survive.”

Fekaris and Perren formed their own production company. They were looking for a singer for “I Will Survive” — that is, a diva with a powerful voice. Gloria Gaynor’s record company called Perren to work on a song for her called “Substitute.” They did. “I Will Survive” was released as a single with “Substitute” as the A-Side and “I Will Survive” as the B-Side. “Substitute” charted modestly but club DJs loved it, as did the radio DJs. Polydor finally released the single with the sides flipped. “I Will Survive” was also on Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 album Love Tracks.

“I Will Survive” was an international smash. It went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Dance Club Songs, #1 in the U.K. and Canada. It was in the Top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and Switzerland. It earned Platinum certification in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. In 1979, the song won the Grammy for Best Disco Recording. This was the first — and last — time that the Grammy’s had that category.

“I Will Survive” is a very popular karaoke song. There have also been numerous versions. Artists with covers include Diana Ross, Selena, Gladys Knight, Cake, Safire, Chantay Savage, Hermes House Band, and Leah McFall, just to name a few.

On the track were Gloria Gaynor (vocals), James Gadson (drums), Paulinho Da Costa (percussion), Scott Edwards (bass guitar), Freddie Perren (keyboards), Bob Bowles and Robert White (guitar). The strings and horns were arranged and conducted by Dave Blumberg. Gloria Gaynor continues to tour and perform around the world.

Here are the lyrics to “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor:

At first, I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking, I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking, how you did me wrong
And I grew strong and I learned how to get along

And so you’re back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I’d known for just one second you’d be back to bother me

Go on now, go, walk out the door, just turn around now
‘Cause you’re not welcome anymore
Weren’t you the one, who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I’d crumble? Did you think I’d lay down and die?

Oh, no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live, and  I’ve got all my love to give
And I’ll survive, I will survive, hey, hey

It took all the strength I had not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart
And I spent, oh, so many nights just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry but now I hold my head up high

And you see me, somebody new
I’m not that chained up little person still in love with you
And so you felt like dropping in and just expect me to be free
But now I’m saving all my loving for someone who’s loving me

Go on now, go, walk out the door, just turn around now
‘Cause you’re not welcome anymore
Weren’t you the one, who tried to crush me with goodbye
Did you think I’d crumble? Did you think I’d lay down and die?

Oh, no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live, and  I’ve got all my love to give
And I’ll survive, I will survive, oh

Go on now, go, walk out the door, just turn around now
‘Cause you’re not welcome anymore
Weren’t you the one, who tried to crush me with goodbye
Did you think I’d crumble? Did you think I’d lay down and die?

Oh, no, not I, I will survive
And as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live, I’ve got all my love to give
And I will survive, I will survive, I will survive

Go on now, go, walk out the door, just turn around now
‘Cause you’re not welcome anymore
Weren’t you the one, who tried to crush me with goodbye
Did you think I’d crumble? Did you think I’d lay down and die?

Oh, no, not I, I will survive
And as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
I’ve got all my life to live, I’ve got all so much love to give
And I will survive, I will survive, I will survive

For More 70s Tunes

The System has daily featured music from all sorts of genres of 1970s music. You’re welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections in The System. Thank you for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

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