I Will Survive

For other uses, see I Will Survive (disambiguation).
"I Will Survive"
Single by Gloria Gaynor
from the album Love Tracks
B-side "Substitute", "Anybody Wanna Party"
Released October 23, 1978
Format 7", 12"
Genre Disco
Length 8:01 (Album Version)
3:18 (Radio Edit)
Label Polydor
Writer(s) Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Producer(s) Dino Fekaris
Certification 2x Platinum (RIAA)
Gloria Gaynor singles chronology
"Let's Make a Deal"
(1976)		 "I Will Survive"
(1978)		 "Substitute"
(1978)
Music sample
"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 has remained a popular disco anthem, as well as being certified double platinum by the RIAA.[1]

The song's lyrics describe the narrator's discovery of personal strength following an initially devastating breakup, delivered with increasing confidence and backed by a stirring instrumental accompaniment. It is one of the most famous disco songs of all time and remains Gaynor's biggest hit. 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 strength and as a gay anthem.[2][3]

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.[4] New copies of the record were eventually pressed with "I Will Survive" as the A-side ("Substitute" itself peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in October 1978, equaling to number 107 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart).

As a disco number, the song was unique for its time by virtue of Gaynor's having no background singers. And, unlike her first disco hits, the track was not pitched up to make it faster and to render Gaynor's recorded voice in a higher register than that in which she actually sang. Most disco hits at the time were heavily produced, with multiple voices, overdubs, and adjustments to pitch and speed. "I Will Survive" had a much more spare and "clean" sound.

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". In 2000, the song was ranked #1 in VH1's list of the 100 greatest dance songs.[4]

A promotional video was filmed in 1979 at the New York discothèque called Xenon. Sheila Reid-Pender of Harlem, NY 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. Ms. Gaynor was not present during the taping of the rollerskating segment of the video. Ms. Gaynor and Ms. Pender met for the first time on July 7, 2014 in New York at the 92nd St. Y after Ms. Gaynor's lecture and promotional signing of her book 'We Will Survive'.[5]

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.

Official versions

Recorded by Gloria Gaynor

Charts and certifications

Chart performance

Chart (1979) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 5
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[7] 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] 7
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary[9] 1
Canadian RPM Disco Singles[10] 2
Canadian RPM Top 15 12inch[11] 5
Canadian RPM Top Singles[12] 3
Finnish Singles Chart 3
France (SNEP)[13] 2
Germany (Media Control Charts)[14] 7
Irish Singles Chart[15] 1
Italy (FIMI)[16] 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[19] 10
Norway (VG-lista)[20] 4
South African Chart[21] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[22] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 7
UK (Official Charts Company)[24] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[25] 1
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles[25] 4
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs[25] 1
Chart (1988) Peak position (Remix)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 14
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 15
Chart (1993) Peak position (Remix)
UK (Official Charts Company)[24] 5
Chart (1999) Peak position (I will survive '98)
France (SNEP)[27] 23
Chart (2000) Peak position (Remixes 2002)
France (SNEP)[28] 71

Year-end charts

Chart (1979) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 6

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Platinum 150,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Platinum 1,020,000[32]
United States (RIAA)[33] Platinum 2,000,000^

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

Diana Ross' version from her 1995 album, Take Me Higher, peaked at #14 on the UK and European charts. In the United States, it peaked at #37 on the Billboard Dance Music Charts. Ross also performed it during her celebrated Super Bowl XXX halftime show in 1996.[34]

Cover versions

The song has been covered by musicians such as Diana Ross, Shirley Bassey, Billie Jo Spears, Selena, Melanie, Chantay Savage, Antony and the Johnsons, The Puppini Sisters, Hermes House Band, and the bands Cake and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

A new disco version was released in 1981 by Creme d'Cocoa featuring lyrics re-written from the perspective of the man Gloria Gaynor referred to in her version.

Conan O'Brien has covered this song at some of his live shows, with some lyrics revised to take shots at NBC.[35]

Jemaine Clement and Kristin Chenoweth covered the song in the 2014 animated film Rio 2.[36][37]

The song is performed by the cast of the satire comedy film Meet The Spartans at the end of the movie, where they are performing for a satire cast of judges from American Idol

The song was covered by J2 and Blu Holiday for a trailer of the video game Far Cry 4.

Pet Shop Boys in their live shows typically incorporate the song into a medley with their related song "It's a Sin".

Cuban artist, Celia Cruz recorded a Spanish salsa version of the song, called "Yo Viviré".[38]

Turkish singer Ajda Pekkan also covered this song in Turkish under the name "Bambaşka Biri".

U. K. 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. Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris are credited as co-writers of this song, along with Williams and his songwriting partner Guy Chambers. Williams said he was inspired to do this when hearing "I Will Survive" hummed by tourists in Switzerland who spoke different languages.

Cake version

"I Will Survive"
Single by Cake
from the album Fashion Nugget
B-side "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle"
Format CD single
Recorded 1996
Genre Alternative rock
Length 5:10
Label Capricorn
Writer(s) Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Producer(s) Cake
Cake singles chronology
"Ruby Sees All"
(1995)		 "I Will Survive"
(1996)		 "The Distance"
(1997)

Cake covered the song rock-style in 1996, on their album Fashion Nugget. In addition to many subtle changes, lead singer John McCrea altered the lyrics.

Gaynor does not like this version, due to its use of profanity.[39]

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

Chart positions

Chart (1996) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks 28

Chantay Savage version

"I Will Survive"
Single by Chantay Savage
from the album I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way)
Released January 23, 1996
Format CD single, 12"
Genre R&B
Label RCA
Writer(s) Freddie Perren, Dino Fekaris
Certification Gold (RIAA)
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

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.[40] The song debuted at number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart on 9 June 2013, and in the following week it reached number eight.[41]

Chart positions

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[42] 39
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[43] 13
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[44] 8


Rio 2 version

"I Will Survive" is featured in the 2014 film Rio 2, where Nigel and Gabi perform the song in the talent show auditions hosted by Rafael, Nico, Pedro, and Carla.

References

  1. ↑ Garfield, Bob (31 January 2012). "'I Will Survive': the ridiculous and the sublime". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Elizabeth Kaminski and Verta Taylor. "We're Not Just Lip-synching Here: Music and Collective Identity in Drag Performances". Identity Work in Social Movements, p. 58. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  3. ↑ Nadine Hubbs. "‘I Will Survive’: musical mappings of queer social space in a disco anthem". Popular Music, 26 , pp. 231–244. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "I Will Survive". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  5. ↑ S. Pender
  6. ↑ Danyel Smith, ed. (1979). Billboard 12 May 1979. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  8. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  9. ↑ "I will survive in Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "I will survive in Canadian Disco Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "I will survive in Canadian Top 15 12inch Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "I will survive in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "I will survive in French Chart". Dominic DURAND / InfoDisc. Retrieved 15 June 2013. You have to use the index at the top of the page and search "Gloria Gaynor"
  14. ↑ "Officialcharts.de – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". GfK Entertainment.
  15. ↑ "I will survive in Irish Chart". IRMA. Retrieved 15 June 2013. 3rd result when searching "I will survive"
  16. ↑ "The best-selling singles of 1979 in Italy". HitParadeItalia (it). Retrieved 15 June 2013.
    38. I will survive - Gloria Gaynor [#9]
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Nederlandse Top 40 – Gloria Gaynor search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Dutchcharts.nl – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  19. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". VG-lista.
  21. ↑ John Samson. "I will survive in South African Chart". Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  22. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". Singles Top 60.
  23. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". Swiss Singles Chart.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Gloria Gaynor". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 "Love Tracks awards on Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  26. ↑ "I will survive (remix) in Belgian Chart". Ultratop and Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  27. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive '98" (in French). Les classement single.
  28. ↑ "I will survive in French Chart". Hung Medien. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  29. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1979/Top 100 Songs of 1979". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  30. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  31. ↑ "British certifications – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 March 2012. Enter I Will Survive in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select Platinum in the field By Award. Click Search
  32. ↑ Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  33. ↑ "American certifications – Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  34. ↑ "Super Bowl XXX Halftime Show: Diana Ross (1996) | THE DIANA ROSS PROJECT". Dianarossproject.wordpress.com. 2013-07-21. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  35. ↑ Conan to Fans: They Kinda Tried to Kill Me
  36. ↑ "‘Rio 2′ Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Rio 2 (Music From the Motion Picture)". iTunes. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  38. ↑ "'Yo viviré', el homenaje a Celia Cruz en Sábado Gigante" (in Spanish). Univision.com. July 14, 2013.
  39. ↑ 'I Will Survive' is disco queen's mantra for hope at the Wayback Machine (archived May 4, 2008) from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via archive.org); by Kevin C. Johnson; published February 14, 2008; retrieved June 10, 2011
  40. ↑ "The Voice UK Favourite Leah McFall Storms iTunes Chart Despite Ratings Hitting New Low". Entertainmentwise. 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  41. ↑ "The Voice’s Leah McFall scores Official Chart Top 20 hit". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  42. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 25, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
  43. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-06-22". Scottish Singles Top 40.
  44. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2013-06-22" UK Singles Chart.

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Fly Away (all cuts) by Voyage		 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play number-one single
with "Substitute", "Anybody Wanna Party?" and "I Said Yes"
January 27, 1979 – February 10, 1979 		Succeeded by
"Keep on Dancin'" / "Do It at the Disco" / "Let's Lovedance Tonight" by Gary's Gang
Preceded by
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart		 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
First run: March 10, 1979 – March 17, 1979
Second run: April 7, 1979 		Succeeded by
"Tragedy" by Bee Gees
Preceded by
"Tragedy" by Bee Gees		 UK number-one single
17 March 1979 – 7 April 1979 		Succeeded by
"Bright Eyes" by Art Garfunkel