Lyrics of
I Will Survive

I Will Survive was first performed by Gloria Gaynor, released in 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris. The song is an expression of female empowerment and became an anthem for personal freedom, particularly cherished within the LGBTQ+ community. The inspiration for the song came after producer Dino Fekaris was let go from his job, leading him to create an anthem about overcoming and resilience.

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.
But now 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 had known for just one second, you'd be back to bother me.

Go on now, go; walk out the door;
Just turn a-round now, 'cos you're not welcome any more.
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble; did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I; I will sur-vive,
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.
I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give,
And I'll sur-vive, I will sur-vive, I will sur-vive


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 ex-pect me to be free,
Well, now I'm saving all my loving, for some-one who's loving me.

Go on now, go; walk out the door;
Just turn a-round now, 'cos you're not welcome any more.
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble; did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I; I will sur-vive,
And as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.
I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give,
And I will survive, I-I-I will sur-vive.


Go on now, go; walk out the door;
Just turn a-round now, 'cos you're not welcome any more.
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble; did you think I'd lay down and die?
No no, not I; I will sur-vive,
And as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.
I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give,
And I'll sur-vive, I will sur-vive, I will sur-vive


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 ex-pect me to be free,
Well, now I'm saving all my loving, for some-one who's loving me.

Go on now, go; walk out the door;
Just turn a-round now, 'cos you're not welcome any more.
Weren't you the one who tried to crush me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble; did you think I'd lay down and die?
Oh no, not I; I will sur-vive,
And as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive.
I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give,
And I will survive, I-I-I will sur-vive.


Go on now, go; walk out the door;
Just turn a-round now, 'cos you're not welcome any more
(Fade)
EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE EADGBE
x02210 xx0231 320003 x32000 x03210 x2323x 022200 022100