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Gloria Gaynor on why she's survived
If there was one song and one artist who was ever going to survive for 30 years, it was Gloria Gaynor and her world-renowned disco classic, I Will Survive.
A full three decades after its original release when it catipulted her into mainstream stardom, the break-up anthem can still be heard daily blaring out of nightclub speakers and being massacred at karaoke nights.
"Not a lot of records last that long."
"Not a lot of records last that long," beams the American.
"People relate to it on a personal level," she says. "It becomes a back drop for their lives. It gives them hope to carry on through their problems.
"I'm honoured that I'm singing this song that has been such an inspiration to so many people."
An inspiration it is, but despite the songs' clear message about surviving a relationship break up with a cheating boyfriend, Gaynor did not sing it with that in mind.
"I'm honoured that I'm singing this song that has been such an inspiration to so many people."
"It was written by the producers and I think at least one of them was having a situation of unrequited love," she recalls, "but when I recorded it I was wearing a back brace which was all I was thinking about."
Karaoke fans would be hard-pressed to find a night anywhere without at least one rendition sung by a scorned young lady, and Gaynor admits even she has had a go.
"A couple of years ago some friends of mine had a surprise birthday party for me where we went to a karaoke bar and one of them dared me to sing it so I did. No one realised it was me, but one guy came up and said he thought I was very good."
To celebrate 30 years since its release Gloria is doing a small UK tour supported by The Drifters where she will perform many of her hit songs. She is also releasing a new recording of I Will Survive.
"I'm releasing it again with another song called I Will Survive, but that is a gospel song."
"I'm making it a little more modern and a little more up to date," she said.
"I'm releasing it along with another song called I Will Survive, but that is a gospel song to go with a jazz and gospel album I'm going to record."
Gloria Gaynor and The Drifters: I Will Survive 30th Anniversary Tour, Fairfield Halls, May 17, 8pm, £32.50 / £29.50. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk
2:05pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
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