Gloria Gaynor had some memorable moments within the Nineteen Seventies, notably her 1974 smash hit model of the Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye.” However as 1978 got here to an finish, she charted in America with the monitor that may go on to be not simply her signature tune, however one of the vital anthemic and provoking recordings in all of pop, “I Will Survive.”
Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, the tune has grow to be a logo of feminine empowerment, and a beacon of hope and positivity among the many LGBT group. “I’ve got all my life to live, and I’ve got all my love to give,” sings Gloria, “and I’ll survive.” It’s a press release of non-public confidence and willpower that has introduced encouragement and perception to the marginalized and oppressed, be it politically, sexually, mentally, or bodily, from one era to the following.
All of which is the extra exceptional as a result of Gaynor’s model was initially a B-side. The primary single from her Love Tracks album was “Substitute,” a model of a tune beforehand recorded by the Righteous Brothers. “I Will Survive” was tucked away because the flip aspect, however quickly began to win help from radio stations and in discos.
The lyric was additionally one which Gaynor recognized with. The momentum of her profession within the earlier Nineteen Seventies, not simply with “Never Can Say Goodbye” however such covers as “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Walk On By,” had slowed. To make issues worse, she was hospitalized with spinal accidents after a fall at a live performance in Europe. When Gloria bought out of the hospital and began recording once more, “I Will Survive” was a tune with private relevance, and the sentiment got here true.
‘God had given them that song’
Referring to songwriters Perren and Fekaris, Gaynor advised NPR: “They stated, ‘We think you’re the one which we’ve been ready for to document this tune that we wrote a few years in the past.’ Once I learn the lyrics, I spotted the rationale they’d been ready for me to document that tune was that God had provided that tune to them for them to put aside, ready for him to get every thing to ensure that me to satisfy up with them. And that tune was ‘I Will Survive.’’’
Hearken to the 70s playlist for extra traditional songs from the last decade.
The early radio help for the monitor was sufficient to take it into the Billboard Scorching 100 for December 16, 1978 at a modest No.87. However the document gathered momentum over the Christmas and new yr interval, hitting the Prime 10 in early February. Earlier than that month was out, it was already a million-seller, and on March 10, the only unseated Rod Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy” to spend two weeks at No.1.
On the second of these, “I Will Survive” went to the highest of the British chart, stayed there for 4 weeks, and have become the hit of Gloria Gaynor’s life. Numerous variations over time have embraced each model from nation (Billie Jo Spears) to simple listening (Johnny Mathis) to various (R.E.M., Cake) to diva-esque soul (Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin). It’s an anthem that has completed way over simply survive.
Purchase or stream “I Will Survive” on Gloria Gaynor’s Love Tracks album.
