I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor was dubbed the "Queen of Disco" early in her career after a string of dance hits that included "Honey Bee" and "Never Can Say Goodbye". By 1978, however, that title had passed to Donna Summer and Gaynor needed a comeback hit.

In October 1978, the disco diva released the album "Love Tracks". Her label Polygram felt that "Substitute" had great potential as a crossover pop hit. They issued the track as an single backed by "I Will Survive" and shipped it to radio and club DJs.

Disc Jockeys did not like the song and started playing the B side instead. The song became one of the biggest hits of the disco era, won the Grammy for "Best Disco Recording", and is now Gaynor's signature song.

In 1995, Diana Ross covered the hit for her CD "Take Me Higher". Her version was remixed for the clubs and peaked at #37 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club/Play Chart.

Four years later, in 1999, an internet animator used the song in a video that featured an alien performing the hit and a "visual" punch line. The video went viral, circled the globe via e-mail, and was featured on CNN.

Alien Song:

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