Which singer recorded the 1978 disco anthem “I Will Survive”?

Gloria Gaynor recorded the 1978 disco anthem “I Will Survive.”

The song was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris and released as a single in October 1978. Its lyrics describe rebuilding confidence after a breakup, and its direct message helped it become an enduring anthem of resilience and independence.

“I Will Survive” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1979. It also topped charts in several other countries and became one of the most recognizable songs associated with disco. The recording was unusual for its era because its arrangement placed the vocal and lyric at the center rather than relying only on instrumental spectacle.

The song later became important in LGBTQ+ cultural history and was widely covered, sampled, translated, and used in films and television. A common mistake is attributing it to Donna Summer, another major disco singer; Gaynor’s recording is the original hit version.