Gloria Gaynor - "I Will Survive"

The Queen of Disco herself, Gloria Gaynor , joins host Peter Csathy on The Story Behind the Song to explore her iconic, universal anthem "I Will Survive." Listen to Gaynor discuss her signature song. Released in 1978, "I Will Survive" was recorded while Gaynor was recovering from a paralyzing fall, and she recounts how her own situation allowed her to inject pure emotion into the recording. The conversation delves into how she gave the track a strategic debut at Studio 54, and traces Gaynor's remarkable journey back to the serendipitous "God setup" that launched her singing career. She also shares insights into her 50-plus year career, the stories behind her name change, and some delightful personal anecdotes -- including one from a fan in Italy that reflects the profound impact "I Will Survive" has had on listeners worldwide. Over 40 years later, the track has maintained its legacy as a global beacon of hope and resilience across generations. Listen to Gloria Gaynor talk about “I Will Survive” and more. You can also get tickets to her upcoming tour dates here . Then, make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song , and rate and review on Apple Podcasts . Fans can also check out the new TSBTS merch -- including a killer poster and jigsaw puzzle -- available now at the Consequence Shop or via the buy now buttons below! You can keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media . Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: Advertising Inquiries: Privacy & Opt-Out:

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Gloria Gaynor - "I Will Survive" is an episode from The Story Behind The Song by Consequence Podcast Network.

This episode is 39:39 long.

This episode was published on Jun 9, 2025.

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