I Will Survive#Cake version

According to Dino Fekaris, the principal writer of the song, "I Will Survive" has its genesis in his experience getting fired by Motown Records in the mid-1970s after seven years working there as a staff writer. Jobless, he turned on the TV in his room, and a theme song he had written for the film Generation (performed by Rare Earth) happened to be playing. He took it as a good omen, and jumped up and down on the bed saying, "I'm going to make it. I'm going to be a songwriter. I will survive!".{{cite web |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/features/the-story-of/i-will-survive-gloria-gaynor-lyrics-meaning-facts/ |title= The Story of... 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor|date=March 8, 2019 |work=Smooth Radio}} Fekaris teamed up with his collaborator Freddie Perren, another former member of the Motown production team, to write the song; however, the song remained unrecorded for two years as no suitable singer was available.

File:Gloria Gaynor (1976).jpgs.{{Cite magazine |last=Gardner|first=Elysa |date=March 1996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jCwEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22gloria+gaynor%22+%22i+will+survive%22+%22signature+song%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA126 |title=Gloria Gaynor – I'll Be There (Radikal/Avex-Critique) |magazine=Vibe |access-date=November 7, 2018 |page=128 }}{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Kantor |first=Justin M. |title=Gloria Gaynor (1983) |year=2003 |encyclopedia=All Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul |publisher=Music Player Group |location=San Francisco |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o552g5xRRiwC&q=%22gloria%20gaynor%22%20%22i%20will%20survive%22%20%22signature%20song%22%20-wikipedia&pg=PA277 |access-date=November 7, 2018 |isbn=9780879307448 }}]]

In 1978, Perren was asked by Polydor to produce "Substitute" for Gloria Gaynor, which he agreed on the understanding that he could also produce the B-side.{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings: Volume 1|first= Steve|last= Sullivan |date= 2013|url={{Google Books |QWBPAQAAQBAJ|page=713|plain-url=yes}}|isbn=9780810882966|page=713 |publisher= Scarecrow Press|via=Google Books}}{{cite book|title=The Million Sellers |date= 2013|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zQDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT154|isbn=9780857128829|publisher=Omnibus Press |via=Google Books}} When Gaynor was asked what kind of songs she liked, she said she liked "songs that are meaningful, have good lyrics, and touch people's hearts". The producers then handed her the song lyrics of "I Will Survive" scribbled on a piece of brown paper.{{cite web |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2020/01/17/how-gloria-gaynors-i-will-survive-went-from-being-hidden-on-her-records-b-side-to-becoming-an-anthem-for-empowerment/ |title=How Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" Went From Being Hidden On Her Record's B Side To Becoming An Anthem for Empowerment|date= January 17, 2020 |first=Jeryl |last= Brunner |work=Forbes}} Gaynor recognized the song as a hit immediately.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EX4yD1pJCxUC&pg=PA58 |title=A Musical Milestone |page=58 |magazine=Billboard |date= October 3, 2009|first=Gail |last=Mitchell }}

According to Robert "Boogie" Bowles who played guitar on the song, in the three-hour recording session, the session musicians spent most of their time recording the A side, "Substitute". As a result, they only had 35 minutes to record the B-side "I Will Survive". They also did not even know the song title or the melody of the song, but they were fairly relaxed recording it in the belief that the B-side would likely not be played. Based only on the chord changes and a few notes, they improvised freely much of the backing track, and Bowles filled in the bare bone of the tune with jazzy blues licks. Due to the difference in the intro from the main body of the tune which made a smooth transition difficult, it was recorded in two parts and then spliced together.{{cite book|title=Behind the Boogie: How I Became Guitarist for a Motown Legend |first1= Robert "Boogie" |last1= Bowles |first2= Kathleen |last2=Greer Greaves |date= 2013|url={{Google Books |ymRw1D6-EpoC|page=99|plain-url=yes}}|isbn=9780810882966|pages=99–100 |publisher= Scarecrow Press |via=Google Books}} Gaynor then recorded the vocals wearing a back brace, having just had a surgery due to a fall at a concert. The injury and a recent bereavement made Gaynor identify with the sentiment of "I Will Survive"; she said: "That's why I was able to sing the song with so much conviction".

Although Gaynor was convinced that "I Will Survive" would be a hit and tried to persuade the label to release it as the A side, the label refused to entertain the idea and it was released as the B-side to "Substitute". Gaynor's husband took the song to the Studio 54 DJ Richie Kaczor, who loved it. Gaynor gave Kaczor a stack of the records to give to his friends. Other DJs in discos and radio stations soon followed and played that side of the record instead. The popularity of "I Will Survive" led to the label releasing the song as an A side. To support the single, a video shot at Xenon Discotheque in New York was released. It featured a roller skater{{snd}}Sheila Reid-Pender from a local group called The Village Wizards{{snd}}skate dancing on the dance floor.

The original A side "Substitute" appeared on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart for four weeks starting October 14, 1978, peaking at No. 78.{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |date=2004 |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles |location=Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research Inc. |page=226 |isbn=0-89820-160-8}} It also appeared on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart for four weeks in October–November 1978, peaking at No. 107.{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |date=1998 |title=Bubbling Under Singles & Albums |location=Menonomee Falls, Wisconsin |publisher=Record Research Inc. |page=84 |isbn=0-89820-128-4}} "I Will Survive" on the other hand performed significantly better; it entered the Billboard Hot 100 in December that year and reached No. 1 on the chart in March 1979. The song received the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980, the only year the award was given.{{cite book|title=Disco Dance|first= Lori|last= Ortiz|date= 2011|url={{Google Books |zZ6MnqQD-H4C|page=73|plain-url=yes}}|isbn=9780313377464|pages=72–73 |publisher= Bloomsbury Academic|via=Google Books}} In 2012, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award|title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com|website=grammy.com}}

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 and number three on the UK Dance Singles Chart. It also peaked at number six in Ireland and number nine in Portugal. In 1999, a remix of the song charted in France, peaking at number 23. And in 2000, another remix reached number six in Spain. 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. In 2018, a remix again charted in France, peaking at number 12.

A promotional video was filmed in 1979 at a New York discothèque called Xenon. It features Gaynor singing, interspersed with roller skating dance sequences performed by Sheila Reid-Pender of Harlem, a member of 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 roller skating 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.S. Pender In the book, Gaynor wrote, "I wanted everybody—including myself—to believe that we could survive."

In 2022, the video was remastered in HD and officially uploaded to Gaynor's YouTube channel, obtaining over 4.5 million views in two months.{{Citation |title=Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (Official Music Video) | date=July 22, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dYWe1c3OyU |language=en |access-date=2022-09-29}}

In 2000, VH1 ranked "I Will Survive" number one in their list of "100 Greatest Dance Songs".{{cite web

| url = http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2451

| title = I Will Survive

| work = Songfacts.com

| access-date = April 13, 2009}} Rolling Stone ranked it number 489 in their "List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, number 492 in 2010, and number 251 in 2021. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked it number 97 in their list of "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-00.shtml|title=The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (100-91)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913205940/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-00.shtml|archive-date=September 13, 2008}} In 2012, "I Will Survive" was ranked number two in Rolling Stone poll of "The Best Disco Songs of All Time".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-best-disco-songs-of-all-time-20120523|title=Readers' Poll: The Best Disco Songs of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 7, 2017|date=May 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221060654/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/readers-poll-the-best-disco-songs-of-all-time-17854|archive-date=February 21, 2021}} In November 2016, The Daily Telegraph ranked it number 48 in their "The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/the-100-greatest-songs-of-all-time/|title=The 100 greatest songs of all time|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308050435/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/the-100-greatest-songs-of-all-time|archive-date=March 8, 2017}} In 2017, Paste Magazine ranked the song number seven in their "The 60 Best Dancefloor Classics" list.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/the-60-best-dance-floor-classics.html|title=The 60 Best Dancefloor Classics|work=Paste|date=February 27, 2017|access-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826072309/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/the-60-best-dance-floor-classics.html?p=6|archive-date=August 26, 2017}} In 2018, Pitchfork featured it in their list of "50 Songs That Define the Last 50 Years of LGBTQ+ Pride".{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/50-songs-that-define-the-last-50-years-of-lgbtq-pride/?page=2|title=50 Songs That Define the Last 50 Years of LGBTQ+ Pride|website=Pitchfork|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603023948/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/50-songs-that-define-the-last-50-years-of-lgbtq-pride/?page=2|archive-date=June 3, 2020}} They added,

"'I Will Survive' probably would've become a gay anthem even without the specter of AIDS. It has an undeniable flair for the dramatic: After moving through that filigreed piano intro, you can imagine a lone spotlight shining on Gloria Gaynor as she drags the man dumb enough to break her heart and crawl back for more. It was released as disco's wave was beginning to break, topping the Billboard charts a few months before the infamous Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park. Had the story ended there, it'd represent the last, best gasp of a culture beaten into temporary irrelevance by thinly-veiled racism and homophobia."

In 2023 and 2025, Billboard ranked it numbers 35 and 21 in their lists of "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" and "100 Best Dance Songs of All Time". In 1998, the France men's national football (soccer) team made "I Will Survive" their unofficial anthem, particularly focusing on the instrumental sub-theme to sing "la la la la la".{{cite web |url=https://frenchly.us/french-sing-will-survive-soccer-games/ |title=Why Do the French Sing "I Will Survive" at Soccer Games? |first=Jenny |last=Hughes|date=12 July 2018 |work=Frenchly}} France then won that year's FIFA World Cup for the first time as hosts and the song enjoyed immense popular enthusiasm amongst younger generations in the country 20 years after its original release. The chant was originally inspired by a remix of the song by Hermes House Band, but Gaynor later released a version with the "la la la la la" chant included.

• 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{{Cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/wah-wah-watson-guitarist-dead-746962/ |title = Wah Wah Watson, Guitarist for Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, Dead at 67|magazine = Rolling Stone|date = October 25, 2018}}
• Strings and horns: arranged and conducted by Dave Blumberg

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

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Platinum|certyear=1979|access-date=March 29, 2012|type=single}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Gold|certyear=2022|access-date=March 9, 2022|type=single|note=Remix|id=11107}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Gold|relyear=2000|certyear=2023|access-date=May 24, 2023|type=single}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Platinum|relyear=1996|certyear=2023|access-date=July 17, 2023|type=single|note=Sales since 2009}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|id=3167-525-1|access-date=April 25, 2022|salesamount=1,082,038|salesref={{cite news|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-chart-millionaires-revealed__20459/|title=The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=September 19, 2017|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 19, 2021}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Platinum|relyear=1979|certyear=1979|access-date=March 29, 2012|type=single|note=Physical|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=I Will Survive|artist=Gloria Gaynor|award=Gold|relyear=2000|certyear=2005|digital=true|access-date=March 29, 2012|type=single|note=Digital|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = I Will Survive

| caption = UK single{{deletable file-caption|Sunday, 1 June 2025|PROD}}

| type = single

| artist = Billie Jo Spears

| album = I Will Survive

| B-side = "Rainy Days and Stormy Nights"

| released = {{Start date|1979|03}}

| recorded = {{Start date|1979|02}}

| studio = Jack Clement Recording Studio

| genre = Country-disco{{cite magazine |last1=Betts |first1=Stephen L. |title=Country Disco: 15 Great, Wild and WTF Songs |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 14, 2018 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/country-disco-15-great-wild-and-wtf-songs-629519/mel-mcdaniel-babys-got-her-blue-jeans-on-629551/ |access-date=4 February 2023}}

| length = 3:16

| label = United Artists Records

| writer = {{hlist|Freddie Perren|Dino Fekaris}}

| producer = Larry Butler

| prev_title = Yesterday

| prev_year = 1979

| next_title = Livin' Our Love Together

| next_year = 1979

}}

"I Will Survive" was notably covered by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears in 1979. Spears had become known for several popular country singles that exemplified strong women. This included a song about sexual harassment ("Mr. Walker, It's All Over") and a tune about a woman walking away from a bad relationship ("Standing Tall"). Among these recordings was her cover of "I Will Survive".{{cite book |last1=Bufwack |first1=Mary A. |last2=Oermann |first2=Robert K. |title=Finding Her Voice: The History of Women in Country Music |date=2003 |publisher=Vanderbilt University Press |location=Nashville, Tennessee |isbn=978-0826514325 |pages=356–357}} The track was produced in February 1979 by Larry Butler at the Jack Clement Recording Studio (located in Nashville, Tennessee).{{cite journal |last1=Spears |first1=Billie Jo |title="I Will Survive"/"Rainy Days and Stormy Nights" (Disc Information) |journal=United Artists Records |date=March 1979 |id=UA-X1292-Y}}

Spears's cover of "I Will Survive" was released in March 1979 by United Artists Records. It was backed on the B-side by the song, "Rainy Days and Stormy Nights". The disc was released as a seven-inch vinyl record. The single entered the American Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 1979. It spent a total of eleven weeks on the chart, climbing to the number 21 position in June 1979.{{cite book |title= The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=various}} In Canada, the song was more commercially-successful, peaking at number nine on their RPM Country Tracks chart.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=Billie+Jo+Spears&x=0&y=0|title=Search results for "Billie Jo Spears"|magazine=RPM|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012175849/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=gmrhouli7kvfvaeu848ka389j0&q1=Billie+Jo+Spears&x=0&y=0|archive-date=12 October 2012|url-status=dead}} It also became her fourth single to chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number 47.{{cite web |title=Billi Jo Spears: Official full chart history: Albums |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/15372/billie-jo-spears/ |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=26 January 2023}} It was released on Spears's 1979 album of the same name.{{cite journal |last1=Spears |first1=Billie Jo |title=I Will Survive (Disc Information) |journal=United Artists Records |date=May 1979 |id=UA-LA964-H (LP); UA-CA964-H (Cassette)}} In 1980, the tune was nominated by the Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It was Spears's only nomination from the Grammy's.{{cite web |title=Billie Jo Spears: Artist |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/billie-jo-spears/14013 |website=Grammy Awards |access-date=4 February 2023}}

Spears's cover followed a similar disco style to that of Gaynor's original. Rolling Stone placed on its 2018 list titled, "Country Disco: 15 Great, Wild and WTF Songs". Writer Stephen L. Betts stated, "With the familiar piano opening by Hargus "Pig" Robbins and backing vocals from The Jordanaires, the Grammy-nominated country-meets-western-meets-Studio 54 concoction remains deliciously odd and totally irresistible." While a success in the multiple markets, Spears later reflected, "It is still a country record. I could never go pop with my mouthful of firecrackers."{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2007 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0857125958 |page=1905}} Spears also commented that she found the song difficult to sing live. "That is a very difficult song to sing. There are so many words in it and they come so fast," she stated.{{cite book |last1=Kutner |first1=John |last2=Leigh |first2=Spencer |title=1,000 UK Number One Hits |date=2013 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-85712-360-2}}

7" vinyl single

1. "I Will Survive" – 3:16
2. "Rainy Days and Stormy Nights" – 2:35

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Dutch group Hermes House Band covered the song in 1994, retitled "I Will Survive (La La La)", topping both the Dutch Top 40 and Single Top 100 charts. In 1998 and 2018, their version reached number one on the French hitlist after the win from the French Team at the FIFA World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/2347062/toch-nog-nederlandse-wk-winst|title=Toch nog Nederlandse WK-winst {{!}} Binnenland {{!}}|date=July 25, 2018|website=De Telegraaf|language=nl|access-date=August 30, 2018}} It is also used as a goal tune during home games for Feyenoord, Galatasaray, Celta de Vigo and was goal song for Amur Khabarovsk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rijnmond.nl/nieuws/1621096/hoe-de-hermes-house-band-en-feyenoord-in-de-ban-raakten-van-de-oorwurm-lalala|title=Hoe de Hermes House Band en Feyenoord in de ban raakten van de oorwurm 'lalala'|date=February 25, 2023|website=Rijnmond|language=nl|access-date=August 29, 2023}}

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{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for I Will Survive}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Hermes House Band|title=I Will Survive|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1997|certyear=1998|access-date=January 30, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Hermes House Band|title=I Will Survive|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|access-date=January 30, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|artist=Hermes House Band|title=I Will Survive|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|access-date=July 16, 2022}}

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{{Infobox song

| name = I Will Survive

| cover =

| alt =

| caption = {{deletable file-caption|Sunday, 8 June 2025|PROD}}

| type = single

| artist = Chantay Savage

| album = I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way)

| released = January 23, 1996

| recorded = 1995–1996

| studio =

| genre = R&B

| length = 6:12

| label = RCA

| writer = {{hlist|Freddie Perren|Dino Fekaris}}

| producer =

| prev_title = Give It to Ya

| prev_year = 1994

| next_title = Baby: Drive Me Crazy

| next_year = 1996

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TMyCXqM8AKM|"I Will Survive"}}

}}

}}

American singer Chantay Savage covered "I Will Survive" in 1996 as a ballad. It was released on January 23, by RCA Records as the first single from her second album, I Will Survive (Doin' It My Way) (1996). This version peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number 52 on the Eurochart Hot 100.

Michael Hill from Cash Box commented:

What a track! What a vocal performance performance! If not for the title, it’s hard to tell that this song is a remake of the still-popular Gloria Gaynor track. Steve “Silky” Hurley outdid himself on this track and it’s difficult to decide which of the four mixes to play. Chantay delivers a smooth, easy and controlled vocal performance which should make her version a big hit. Expect huge radio play and quite possibly some “tin” for this little lady.{{cite magazine|first=Michael|last=Hill|title=Urban: Urban Single Reviews|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1996/CB-1996-02-10.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=February 10, 1996|page=13|access-date=November 11, 2022}}

Chantay has a fabulous voice, with a great range and rich, chocolatey tone, in the Anita Baker mould. She performs the old hit, "I Will Survive", at a slower sexier pace than the original, making it a very different statement than the rousing anthemic style of the original. This is a more personal, more vulnerable version. Nice track indeed.{{cite magazine|first=Gerald|last=Martinez|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nAFZAAAAIBAJ|title=Lending local voices to Disney hits|magazine=New Sunday Times|date=April 21, 1996|page=16|access-date=October 22, 2021}}

12-inch 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)

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{{Infobox song

| name = I Will Survive

| cover =

|border=yes

| alt =

| caption = {{deletable file-caption|Sunday, 8 June 2025|PROD}}

| type = single

| artist = Diana Ross

| album = Take Me Higher

| B-side = Voice of the Heart

| released = April 14, 1996

| recorded = 1995

| studio =

| genre = {{hlist|Disco|house}}

| length = 4:48

| label = Motown

| writer = {{hlist|Freddie Perren|Dino Fekaris}}

| producer = Narada Michael Walden

| prev_title = Take Me Higher

| prev_year = 1995

| next_title = Not Over You Yet

| next_year = 1999

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|TAaZxzxIv2w|"I Will Survive"}}

}}

}}

File:DRossLongleat010722 (9 of 43) (52189231585) (cropped).jpg

American singer Diana Ross released a cover of "I Will Survive" in 1996. It was released on April 14, by Motown as the fourth and final single from her twenty-first album, Take Me Higher (1995). The song is produced by Narada Michael Walden and peaked at number 14 in the United Kingdom. It also reached number three in Iceland and number 16 in Scotland. In the United States, it peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The kicker is a delicious cover of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive', produced by Narada Michael Walden. Interestingly, that is the number that stands out in the legendary artist's current (and oh-so-festive) {{frac|2|1|2}}-hour show."{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |title= Dance Trax: Raw Stylus Says Goodbye To Acid Jazz, Hello Street Soul |magazine= Billboard |date= October 28, 1995 |page= 34 |access-date= October 13, 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-10-28.pdf |author-link= Larry Flick}} Gil L. Robertson IV from Cash Box named it a "standout track" of the Take Me Higher album.{{cite magazine|first=Gil L.|last=Robertson IV|title=Urban|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-09-23.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=September 23, 1995|page=11|access-date=November 9, 2022|author-link=Gil L. Robertson IV}} In a 2010 retrospective review, the Daily Vault's Mark Millan constated that it is "dealt with superbly, as the team managed to breathe new life into an old relic from the distant, dark days when disco ruled."{{cite web|first= Mark |last= Millan |title= Take Me Higher – Diana Ross |publisher= The Daily Vault |date= August 6, 2010 |access-date= November 20, 2020 |url= http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=6620}}

The Stud Brothers of Melody Maker deemed it "a cheesy, breathy romp through Gloria Gaynor's feminist anthem".{{cite magazine|author=The Stud Brothers|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53631986306/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=February 10, 1996|page=34|access-date=May 9, 2024}} Alan Jones from Music Week stated that "the combination of two old favourites is bound to win favour with many people, and new dance mixes by Roger Sanchez will ease the track's path to success now it is a single."{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |title= Talking Music |magazine= Music Week |date= January 13, 1996 |page= 24 |access-date= May 23, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-01-13.pdf}} James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update noted the "galloping good Hi-NRG 0-134bpm Motiv 8 Club Vocal and Hell Razor Dub" in his weekly dance column.{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Dj directory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |date= February 3, 1996 |page= 11 |access-date= October 22, 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-02-03.pdf |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} In a 2015 review, Pop Rescue concluded that this cover "definitely belts it out – vocally and musically".{{cite web|title= Review: "Take Me Higher" by Diana Ross (CD, 1995) |url= https://poprescue.com/2015/10/23/pop-rescue-take-higher-diana-ross-cd-1995/ |work= Pop Rescue |date= October 23, 2015 |access-date= November 24, 2020}}

{{columns-start}}

UK CD single

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

{{column}}

European CD maxi single

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

{{columns-end}}

{{Clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = I Will Survive

| cover = I will survive CAKE.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Cake

| album = Fashion Nugget

| B-side = Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle

| released = 1997

| recorded =

| studio =

| length =

• 5:10
• 4:14 (radio edit)

| label = Capricorn

| writer =

• Freddie Perren
• Dino Fekaris

| producer = Cake

| prev_title = The Distance

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = Frank Sinatra

| next_year = 1997

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|f9rCUQjmkxU|"I Will Survive"}}

}}

}}

File:Cake band.jpg

American rock band Cake covered "I Will Survive" for their second album, Fashion Nugget (1996). In addition to many subtle changes, lead singer John McCrea altered the lyrics. In an interview, Gaynor stated she did not like Cake's version of the song because it used "profanity" (McCrea changed the phrase "I should've changed that stupid lock" to "...that fucking lock").[https://archive.today/20080504201527/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/music/story/E91C22DD527945C4862573ED007A7C69?OpenDocument 'I Will Survive' is disco queen's mantra for hope], by Kevin C. Johnson, in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via archive.org); published February 14, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2016

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. Their version peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in March 1997.

Daina Darzin from Cash Box felt that the band is "at its bizarre best" on "the thoroughly and charmingly mangled version" of the Gloria Gaynor disco classic.{{cite magazine|first=Daina|last=Darzin|title=Pop Albums|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1996/CB-1996-09-14.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=September 14, 1996|page=9|access-date=November 16, 2022}} A reviewer from Music Week rated the song three out of five, describing it as "a straight-up cover".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-05-03.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=May 3, 1997|page=25|access-date=May 18, 2022}} The magazine's Alan Jones wrote:

'I Will Survive' is one of those songs l've always hated, but hot on the heels of Chantay Savage's sublime R&B-flavoured rendition which won favour last year, there's another highly enjoyable version from rising stars Cake. Lifted from their album, Fashion Nugget, it's powered by a funky bassline which dodges in and out of the vocals of John McCrea, whose tongue-in-cheek rendition is enhanced by his habit of letting his vocals trail a little behind the rest of the track.

CD single

1. "I Will Survive" (radio edit) – 4:14
2. "Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle" – 4:12

{{certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Cake|title=I Will Survive|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=2022|access-date=August 11, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}

• Greek singer Filippos Nikolaou included a version in Greek in his 1979 album, Όμορφες στιγμές (Beautiful moments).{{Citation |title=ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΘΑ ΕΠΙΖΗΣΩ (Β) - l Will Survive - GLORIA GAYNOR - ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΕΝΟ | date=July 10, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkvF6Wjp0UI |access-date=2023-12-21 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2015-10-30 |title=5 αδιανόητες ελληνικές διασκευές σε ξένα τραγούδια |url=https://www.provocateur.gr/out-about/10953/5-adianohtes-ellhnikes-diaskeyes-se-ksena-tragoydia/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Provocateur |language=el}}{{Cite web |last=Kritsiolis |first=Tasos |date=2013-12-31 |title="Αφιερωμένο εξαιρετικά" στον... διεθνή Φίλιππο Νικολάου! - MusicCorner.gr |url=https://www.musiccorner.gr/%ce%b1%cf%86%ce%b9%ce%b5%cf%81%cf%89%ce%bc%ce%ad%ce%bd%ce%bf-%ce%b5%ce%be%ce%b1%ce%b9%cf%81%ce%b5%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%ba%ce%ac-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf%ce%bd-%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%b5%ce%b8%ce%bd%ce%ae-%cf%86-91496/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |language=el}}
• A parody of the song titled "I Will Not Survive" was released by the Indonesian comedic musical group Project Pop in August 2005 as part of their album Pop Circus.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11267349-Project-Pop-Pop-Circus/ |title=Project Pop – Pop Circus |publisher= Discogs.com |access-date=December 30, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglvuRBwp40/ |title=Project Pop - I WILL NOT SURVIVE - AWAS ANJING GALAK ((Official Music Video) - Medley) |date=August 12, 2013 |publisher= YouTube.com |access-date=December 30, 2024}}
• The Voice UK contestant Leah McFall performed the song on the first live show in the style of Chantay Savage. A studio recording of the performance was released and reached number three on UK iTunes.{{cite web |url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/117270/The-Voice-UK-Favourite-Leah-McFall-Storms-iTunes-Chart-Despite-Ratings-Hitting-New-Low |title=The Voice UK Favourite Leah McFall Storms iTunes Chart Despite Ratings Hitting New Low |publisher=Entertainmentwise |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=March 28, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524022810/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/117270/The-Voice-UK-Favourite-Leah-McFall-Storms-iTunes-Chart-Despite-Ratings-Hitting-New-Low |archive-date=May 24, 2014 }} The song debuted at number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart on June 9, 2013, and in the following week it reached number eight.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-voices-leah-mcfall-scores-official-chart-top-20-hit-already-2269/ |title=The Voice's Leah McFall scores Official Chart Top 20 hit |publisher=Officialcharts.com |access-date=March 28, 2014}}
• Madonna covered the song live during The Celebration Tour, which prompted a response from Gaynor who congratulated Madonna on the launch of her tour, wished her well after her mid-2023 health scare and commented tongue-in-cheek that she had "excellent taste in music".{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/gloria-gaynor-reacts-madonna-i-will-survive-cover-celebration-tour-1235444286/|title=Gloria Gaynor Reacts to Madonna Covering 'I Will Survive' at First Celebration Tour Concert|author=Katie Atkinson|magazine=Billboard|date=2023-10-17|access-date=2023-10-17}} On March 7, 2024, Madonna was joined on stage in Los Angeles by Kylie Minogue, with the two performing the song as a duet.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
• The song's instrumental break has been sampled and interpolated in Erasure's "Love to Hate You" (1991),{{cite magazine |first=Larry |last=Flick |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-11-02.pdf |title=Single Reviews |magazine=Billboard |date=2 November 1991 |access-date=13 February 2020 |page=87 |author-link=Larry Flick}} Robbie Williams' "Supreme" (2000){{Cite web|title= Supreme | url=https://www.last.fm/music/Robbie+Williams/_/Supreme/+wiki|date=18 March 2023}} and K-pop girl group Ive's "After Like" (2022).{{Cite web|title='컴백' 아이브 '애프터 라이크' 틱톡 선공개 '챌린지 열풍 기대'|trans-title='Comeback' Ive's 'After Like' TikTok pre-release 'Expect the challenge craze'|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003080595|via=Naver|publisher=MT Star News|language=ko|last=Yoon|first=Sang-geun|date=August 21, 2022|access-date=August 23, 2022|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822125829/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=108&aid=0003080595|url-status=live}}

The song features prominently in the 2001 episode "I Will Survive", of the series Ally McBeal.{{Cite episode |title=I Will Survive |series=Ally McBeal |publisher=David E. Kelley Productions and 20th Century Fox Television |network=Fox Broadcasting Company |season=3 |number=17 |date=2000-04-17 |first=David E. |last=Kelley |author-link=David E. Kelley}} Gaynor makes uncredited appearances in a fictionalized version of herself throughout the episode, performing her song both as a hallucination{{snd}}seen only by Ally McBeal{{snd}}and as her real self, seen by all attending her performance at a club frequented in the show.

• List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1979

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|FHhZPp08s74|"I Will Survive"}}
• {{YouTube|uZDMROv7cj8|"I Will Survive (Extended Version)"}}
• {{YouTube|nXMPx4DDVWM|"I Will Survive"}}
• {{YouTube|WnrE0yN2uLY|"I Will Survive (Rerecorded)"}}
• {{YouTube|GfcFqDmT_Qk|"Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (Sopot Festival, 20.08.1980)"}}
• {{YouTube|RUGYe5TzPBg|"Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (Live From Her Majesty's, 13.10.1985)"}}
• {{YouTube|vVzA0-QeGnI|"Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive"}}

{{Gloria Gaynor}}

{{Cake (band)}}

{{Chantay Savage}}

{{Diana Ross}}

{{Billie Jo Spears}}

{{Celia Cruz}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1978 songs

Category:1978 singles

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