I Will Survive

"I Will Survive" is a hit song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris. A top-selling song after its initial release, it sold 14 million copies worldwide (within first two years of release alone, not counting the numerous re-recordings and 200+ cover versions released in 20+ different languages world-wide) and has remained a popular disco anthem, as well as being certified platinum by the RIAA.[1]

For other uses, see I Will Survive (disambiguation).

"I Will Survive"
Sleeve for one of the US 12-inch vinyl pressings of "Substitute / I Will Survive", later reprinted as "I Will Survive / Substitute"
Single by Gloria Gaynor
from the album Love Tracks
A-side"Substitute"
ReleasedOctober 23, 1978 (1978-10-23)
Format7-inch, 12-inch single
Recorded1978
StudioMom & Pop’s Company Store
(Los Angeles, California)
GenreDisco
Length4:56 (album version)
3:15 (single version)
8:01 (12" version)
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Producer(s)Dino Fekaris
Gloria Gaynor singles chronology
"Let's Make a Deal"
(1976)		 "I Will Survive"
(1978)		 "Anybody Wanna Party"
(1979)
Audio sample
"I Will Survive"
  • file
  • help
Alternative cover
Artwork for German and French vinyl releases

The song's lyrics describe the narrator's discovery of personal strength following an initially devastating breakup. It received heavy airplay in 1979, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart on consecutive weeks. The song is also frequently recalled as a symbol of female empowerment.[2][3][4] In 2016, the Library of Congress deemed Gaynor's original recording to be "culturally, historically, or artistically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Recording Registry.

Releases

Originally released as the B-side to a cover version of the Righteous Brothers song "Substitute", "I Will Survive" became a worldwide hit for Gaynor when disc jockeys played that side of the record instead (kick-started by legendary Studio 54 DJ Richie Kaczor).[5] "Substitute" appeared on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart for four weeks in October–November 1978, peaking at No. 107.[6] "I Will Survive" then entered the Billboard Hot 100 in December that year and reached No. 1 on the chart in March 1979.

Gloria Gaynor performed the song "I Will Survive", which became one of her signature songs.[7][8]


The song received the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980, the only year the award was given. It is ranked #492 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and ranked at #97 on Billboard magazine's "All-Time Hot 100".[9] In 2000, the song was ranked #1 in VH1's list of the 100 greatest dance songs.[5]

A promotional video was filmed in 1979 at the New York discothèque called Xenon. Sheila Reid-Pender of Harlem is the featured skater in the video from the skating group, The Village Wizards. Although three videos were filmed that day, the "I Will Survive" video was the only one to survive. Gaynor was not present during the taping of the rollerskating segment of the video. Gaynor and Pender met for the first time on July 7, 2014 in New York at the 92nd St. YMCA after Gaynor's lecture and promotional signing of her book 'We Will Survive'.[10] In this book, Gaynor said, "I wanted everybody—including myself—to believe that we could survive".[10]

Following the success of fellow 1970s disco stars Sister Sledge with remixed singles in the UK in 1993, "I Will Survive" was also remixed and released that summer. This remix reached number five on the UK Singles Chart.

In November 2013, Gaynor released a gospel album entitled We Will Survive, which includes a new, updated remix of "I Will Survive" by DJ Shpank in both extended and radio edit formats.

Impact and legacy

VH1 placed "I Will Survive" at #1 in their list of 100 Greatest Dance Songs in 2000.[11]

In 2012, "I Will Survive" was ranked at #2 in Rolling Stone poll of The Best Disco Songs of All Time.[12]

The Daily Telegraph ranked "I Will Survive" #48 in their The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list in November 2016.[13]

In 2017 the song was ranked number 7 in Paste Magazine's The 60 Best Dancefloor Classics list.[14]

Personnel
  • Vocals: Gloria Gaynor
  • Drums: James Gadson
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Bass guitar: Scott Edwards
  • Keyboards: Freddie Perren
  • Guitars: Bob "Boogie" Bowles, Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin [15]
  • Strings and horns: arranged and conducted by Dave Blumberg

Official versions

Recorded by Gloria Gaynor

  • "I Will Survive" (1978 single version) – 3.15
  • "I Will Survive" (1978 album version) – 4.56
  • "I Will Survive" (1978 12" Mix) – 8.02
  • "Yo Viviré" (I Will Survive Spanish 12" Mix) – 7.55
  • "I Will Survive" (Tom Moulton Mix) – 10.33
  • "I Will Survive" (2009 re-recording) – 5.35
  • "I Will Survive" (2009 re-recording Spanish version) - 5.37

Charts and certifications

Sales and certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[49] Platinum 150,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50] Platinum 1,020,000[51]
United States (RIAA)[52] Platinum 2,000,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Cake version

"I Will Survive"
Single by Cake
from the album Fashion Nugget
B-side"Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle"
Released1996
FormatCD single
Recorded1996
GenreAlternative rock
Length5:10
LabelCapricorn
Songwriter(s)Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Producer(s)Cake
Cake singles chronology
"Ruby Sees All"
(1995)		 "I Will Survive"
(1996)		 "The Distance"
(1997)
Music video
"I Will Survive" on YouTube

Cake covered the song soft rock-style in 1996, on their album Fashion Nugget. In addition to many subtle changes, lead singer John McCrea altered the lyrics (leading Gaynor to describe the cover as her least favorite version of the song, due to the presence of "profanity" - in the line originally rendered as "I should've changed my stupid lock").[53] The music video of Cake's version features McCrea as a city parking enforcement officer driving around in a Cushman three-wheeled scooter as he leaves tickets on various cars. This version was a top 30 hit for the band in March 1997 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, peaking at #28.

Track listing

CD single
  1. "I Will Survive" (Radio Edit) – 4:14
  2. "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" – 4:12
Promo CD single
  1. "I Will Survive" (Radio Edit) – 3:52
  2. "I Will Survive" (Long Radio Edit) – 5:11

Chantay Savage version

"I Will Survive"
Single by Chantay Savage
from the album I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way)
ReleasedJanuary 23, 1996
FormatCD single, 12"
GenreR&B
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Chantay Savage singles chronology
"Give It to Ya"
(1994)		 "I Will Survive"
(1996)		 "Baby: Drive Me Crazy"
(1996)
Music video
"I Will Survive" on YouTube

R&B singer Chantay Savage covered the song in 1996 as a ballad. Her version peaked at #24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Track listing

12" single

Side A

  1. "I Will Survive" (Puff Daddy "Bad Boy Mix")
  2. "I Will Survive" (Silk's Old Skool Extended Mix with Clean Rap)
  3. "I Will Survive" (Original LP version – edit)

Side B

  1. "I Will Survive" (Silk's Classic House Mix)
  2. "I Will Survive" (Rhythm Radio version)

Chart positions

Chart (1996) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 12
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 24
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 35
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales 10
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 5

Diana Ross version

"I Will Survive"
Single by Diana Ross
from the album Take Me Higher
ReleasedApril 14, 1996
Format
Recorded1995
Genre
Length4:48
LabelEMI
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Narada Michael Walden
Diana Ross singles chronology
"Take Me Higher"
(1995)		 "I Will Survive"
(1996)		 "Not Over You Yet"
(1999)
Music video
"I Will Survive" on YouTube

In 1996, American singer Diana Ross released a cover of "I Will Survive". It was released on her 1995 album, Take Me Higher. The song is produced by Narada Michael Walden and peaked at number 14 in the United Kingdom. It also reached number 3 in Iceland and number 16 in Scotland. In the United States, it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Dance Music Charts. Ross also performed it during her celebrated Super Bowl XXX halftime show in 1996.[54]

Track listing

CD single, United Kingdom (1996)
  1. "I Will Survive" - 4:48
  2. "I Will Survive" (Roger Sanchez Atmospheric Mix) - 4:31
  3. "I Will Survive" (Motiv 8 Radio Mix) - 3:58

4 "Voice Of The Heart" - 4:55

CD maxi, Europe (1996)
  1. "I Will Survive" (Album Version) - 4:46
  2. "I Will Survive" (Roger Sanchez Radio Edit) - 4:02
  3. "I Will Survive" (Motiv 8 Radio Edit) - 3:56
  4. "I Will Survive" (Sure Is Pure Vocal) - 8:58

Chart positions

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[55] 57
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[56] 3
Poland (LP3)[57] 28
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[58] 16
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 14
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play 37

Hermes House Band version

Hermes House Band from the Netherlands, covered the song la la la-style in 1994, and scored several number 1 hits in the Netherlands, Belgium and France with this version. They sold more than 2.5 million copies of I Will Survive-la-la-la worldwide. In 2018 the band reached No.1 in French hitlist after the win from FIFA World Cup French Team.[59]

Chart positions

Chart (2018) Peak
position
France (SNEP) 1[60]

Leah McFall version

The Voice UK contestant, Leah McFall, performed the song on the first live show in the style of Chantay Savage. Following the programme, the studio recording of the performance was released and reached number three on UK iTunes.[61] The song debuted at number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart on 9 June 2013, and in the following week it reached number eight.[62]

Chart positions

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[63] 39
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[64] 13
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[65] 8

Other cover versions

Billie Jo Spears' version from her 1979 album, I Will Survive, peaked at #21 in the U.S. Country Chart, #9 in the Canadian Country Chart, and #47 in the UK Singles Chart. Her version earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

British recording artist Robbie Williams incorporated the string-laden instrumental bridge in a section of his 2000 song Supreme, which became a major hit in several European markets.

In 1998, the song became an anthem and gained more popularity in France when the France national football team won the 1998 FIFA World Cup.[66]

In 1999, Gaynor performed the song at the school prom on That '70s Show episode 19 "Prom Night" to cheer up a disheartened, lovelorn Fez, who disco-dances and bumps with her as the song is performed.[67]

It is featured in the 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as a lip sync song performed by drag queens Mitzi Del Bra (Hugo Weaving), Bernadette Bassinger (Terence Stamp), and Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Guy Pearce) at an Australian Aboriginal corroboree. The song proves to be a symbol of the vitality and resistance in the face of discrimination exhibited by the two groups: the LGBTQ+ community and the Aboriginal Australian community.

It was featured in the jail scene and closing for the 2000 movie The Replacements.

It is featured in the 2012 film Zero Dark Thirty.

It is featured on video games, SingStar Dance and Just Dance 2014, released in 2013.

It is featured during the ending credits of the 2015 movie The Martian, in which the protagonist left behind on Mars must find a way to survive.

In the French film One Man and His Cow (La Vache, 2016), the protagonist sings a Raï-style version of the song at a village festival.[68]

It appears in a 2017 TV commercial for Capital One, which features Gaynor and Charles Barkley.

"I Will Survive" has been covered in several animated films. In Rio 2, it was sung by Nigel the cockatoo, played by Jemaine Clement. The 2008 Danish-German film Disco Ormene (known in English as Sunshine Barry & the Disco Worms) features the song performed by Gloria the earthworm (Trine Dyrholm). In 2007's Noah's Ark, an Argentine-Italian animated comedy adventure film, a version of the song is performed by a panther named Panthy.

"I Will Survive" has been featured as welcome back return song for broadcasting legend Tony Blackburn to BBC Radio on New Year's Eve 2016 after his temporary departure.

The song's tune is used in the ABS-CBN TV Plus Go TV commercial featuring Anne Curtis.

See also

References

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  2. Elizabeth Kaminski and Verta Taylor (2008). We're Not Just Lip-synching Here: Music and Collective Identity in Drag Performances. Identity Work in Social Movements, p. 58. ISBN 9780816651399. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  3. Nadine Hubbs (2007). "'I Will Survive': musical mappings of queer social space in a disco anthem". Popular Music. 26 (2): 231–244. doi:10.1017/s0261143007001250. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
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