GLORIA GAYNOR – I WILL SURVIVE

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’ve have 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 break 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
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 break 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
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 break 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
I’ve got all my love to give
And I’ll survive
I will survive
I will survive…

Song facts:

This is a female-empowerment anthem. It is about moving on after a bad relationship. Over the years, it has taken on meaning for people who have overcome just about any difficult situation.

This won the 1979 Grammy for Best Disco Recording. It was the first and last time that the Grammys offered this category.

This has been reproduced in 20 languages, including Arabic.

Gaynor sees this song as just a simple song about survival, regardless of what you have to overcome: “I love the empowering effect, I love the encouraging effect. It’s a timeless lyric that addresses a timeless concern.”

Since this was written, Gaynor has become a devout Christian and added a verse reflecting her faith: “I will survive; He gave me life; I stand beside the Crucified One; I can go on; I will be strong; For my strength to live is not my own; I will survive!”