Whether you lived through the disco era or just sing along to the classics on the radio, you know Gloria Gaynor’s smash hit “I Will Survive.” It’s the tune everyone belts out at karaoke or during impromptu dance parties in the kitchen. But while the lyrics about female empowerment and overcoming adversity have taken on a life of their own over the past four decades, the woman behind the unforgettable song has a lesser-known yet equally fascinating story of resilience.
The new documentary I Will Survive catches up with Gaynor in her early 70s as she sets out to record her first gospel album after a 40-year career in secular music. Tracing her journey from a childhood marked by poverty and abandonment issues to disco queen stardom and eventually to finding solace and purpose in her Christian faith, it’s an uplifting portrait of an artist who has endured her share of professional and personal trials yet continues to evolve and inspire new generations.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just know a few of her dancefloor smashes, the film will leave you marveling at the unexpected turns in her life and moved by her indefatigable spirit. With interviews, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes access to the making of her Grammy-winning gospel record Testimony, it’s the definition of a feel-good music documentary that will speak to anyone captivated by stories of resilience.
From Humble Roots to Disco Royalty
Long before she ruled the dance floors, Gloria Gaynor came from modest beginnings in Newark, New Jersey. Born in 1943, her father left while her mother was still pregnant, leaving a mark on Gaynor. “I was very happy as a kid even though we didn’t have money,” she recalls. “But inside I always feared being abandoned.” Still, her mom, a gifted singer herself, inspired young Gloria to cultivate her vocal talents.
Gaynor cut her teeth singing jazz standards in local nightclubs in her early 20s after her mother’s untimely death. A few years later she got her big break, joining a pop-R&B band called City Life. This caught the ear of legendary music mogul Clive Davis who swiftly offered her a solo record deal. Though her first single stiffed in 1974, soon after Gaynor struck gold. Her cover of “Never Can Say Goodbye” off her album of the same name rocketed up the charts establishing her as the queen of disco.
With an undeniable voice that pierced through pulsating bass and hi-hats, Gaynor dominated dance floors worldwide over the next several years. Tracks like “Honey Bee,” “Casanova Brown,” and “Let’s Make a Deal” kept the hits coming. But her career-defining song dropped in 1978—”I Will Survive.” Ironically featured as the B-side cut on her Love Tracks album, the breakup anthem’s themes of resilience spoke to Gaynor who at the time was recovering from a serious on-stage fall that left her temporarily paralyzed.
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Little did she know, it would go on to be the only disco track ever to snag a Grammy and land her voice in the Library of Congress forever. By the early 80s, Gaynor stood tall as disco’s top diva with 20 charting singles to her name and status as an international touring icon. But the backlash against disco would sideline those dreams soon after.
Overcoming Adversity, Again and Again
Shortly after “I Will Survive” took off, Gaynor faced personal travails that mirrored the song’s narrative of perseverance. While performing in 1978, she took a nasty on-stage tumble resulting in back injuries so severe it left her paralyzed for months. Bedridden in the hospital for three agonizing years and forced to endure multiple surgeries, it was a grim era professionally too as post-disco backlash saw her career wane stateside.
Yet that wasn’t the darkest period for Gaynor. Her relatively new husband and manager Linwood Simon initially cared for her after the accident. But what she hoped would be a fairytale romance turned nightmarish. Simon exercised extreme control over both her personal and professional choices for 25 years. Despite his rampant infidelity, Gaynor remained devoted in part due to abandonment issues stemming from childhood.
Simon worked Gaynor relentlessly, booking her on grueling European tours where she’d play over 300 dates annually to make up for fading popularity back home. Gaynor reflects that this over-exposure overseas was likely Simon’s ploy to “get rid of her” so he could live freely. The exhaustive schedule and simmering marital strife left Gaynor depleted. One peer noted, “She was barely living while performing this empowerment anthem night after night.”
By 2005, in her early 60s and with Simon continuing to deny her a long-desired divorce, Gaynor finally gathered the courage to split from him for good. Newly single after 20+ years wed and still hindered by back problems requiring heavy medication, Gaynor’s star seemed faded beyond its brightest years. But this survivor had more acts to come.
Gospel Dreams Come to Fruition
Free from the constraints of her past relationship, Gloria Gaynor sought new creative outlets, namely gospel music. Despite pushback from industry execs, the idea germinated in her early 70s to record an inspirational album melding her soulful voice with messages of spiritual hope.
Gaynor found initial resistance trying to pivot genres so late in her career. Most labels balked, some deeming her age a barrier to commercial viability. Undeterred, Gaynor persisted, funding initial recording sessions herself. “This album was a calling from God,” she notes. “No matter how many doors closed on me, I wasn’t going to let anything stop it from being made.”
Lacking a record deal, her manager Stephanie Gold advised collaborating with contemporary Christian artists could garner credibility within the gospel community and give the album a promotional boost. Gaynor took the advice to heart and began working with Grammy-winners like Jason Crabb and MercyMe’s Bart Millard. Their names brought an air of legitimacy to the endeavor.
After several years fine-tuning the music, the pieces fell into place. Gaynor signed to Shanachie Entertainment and brought on Chris Stephens, a producer who grew up idolizing her, to finish the album. He helped recruit legendary session players like bassist Willy Weeks to contribute. The result was the aptly titled “Testimony,” reflecting Gaynor’s story of resilience and her renewed faith.
Released in 2019, the record earned raves from critics who called it “a soaring gospel triumph” and praised Gaynor’s versatile voice. More importantly, the album finally garnered Gaynor validation from the Gospel Music Association, as well as her second Grammy for Best Roots Gospel forty years after her first. For this indefatigable spirit, it marked overdue and hard-won recognition that her musical gifts span genres and generations. And at nearly 75 years young then with a chart-topping gospel debut under her belt, Gloria Gaynor continues sharing inspiration whenever she takes a stage.
An Anthem for the Ages
While disco faded, “I Will Survive” has endured over four decades as an inspirational anthem for all who hear its message of strength and perseverance. Added to the Library of Congress registry, its opening lyrics remain recognizable worldwide across generations.
The documentary shows the song inspiring a breadth of people including 80s clubgoers to 90s gay communities to athletes, breast cancer survivors and more. Among the most poignant examples, the song became an unofficial anthem of the women’s rights movement with Gloria even serenading a pro-choice rally.
Internationally, a Spanish middle school coping with tragedy following a tragic bus crash performed their own rendition of “I Will Survive” in tribute to the victims. When Gloria visits the grieving students years later, there’s nary a dry eye as they bond through the healing power of music.
While her biggest hit took on an unexpected life of its own, Gloria’s connection to her fans remains strong as ever. She tears up receiving fan mail from a HIV-positive man thanking her song for helping him cope upon diagnosis. Such stories inspire Gloria’s frequent charity concert performances to give back.
Now nearing 80, demand keeps Gloria touring selectively when she isn’t in the studio working on new inspirational tunes. But make no mistake – she carries the unofficial crown of Queen of Disco with dignity, pride and humility. The documentary makes clear that beyond the glitz, Gloria Gaynor’s humanity and generosity of spirit are what elevate her to icon status in the eyes of so many, thanks to one remarkable song that conquered the world.
Owning Her Power, Rewriting Her Story
While “I Will Survive” inspired legions of fans globally, Gloria struggled internally for decades with insecurities tied to childhood traumas. Abandoned by her father at birth and losing her mother prematurely, it manifested as fears of relationships ending. Her toxic marriage only exacerbated these worries.
But entering her 60s divorced after 20 years wed, Gloria reclaimed her voice and strength. No longer controlled by her ex-husband, she trusted herself to make her own choices. She speaks of no longer loving him but learning to love herself — a revelation after prioritizing others’ needs first.
Gloria began rewriting her narrative, enrolling in college to obtain the psychology degree she missed out on earlier while touring nonstop. At 65, she proudly graduated after years juggling coursework and concerts.
That dogged determination to keep evolving personally and professionally continued with her pushing to record a gospel album despite skepticism that an older dance diva could successfully cross over genres. But Gloria let faith, not fear or outside perceptions, guide her.
Now the documentary arrives, capping years of tribulations with triumph. Viewers walk away wowed by Gloria’s tenacity to keep growing. Indeed, her contagious hope and hard-won contentment in her 70s make a resonant case for the rewards of self-actualization no matter one’s age or public image. Dancing to her own beat, Gloria makes peace with her past and steps boldly into long-overdue happiness. Her story remains an inspiration.
The Beat Goes On for An Enduring Icon
When the credits roll on Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive, you can’t help but marvel at the legendary vocalist’s journey. Now nearing 80, Gloria stands tall through all the dizzying highs and lows as disco’s high queen to a fading star eclipsed by tragedy to her Phoenix-like rise as a resilient gospel songstress with renewed purpose.
Indeed, Gloria’s path makes clear that our stories aren’t defined in just one act. With faith and perseverance, we can rewrite our futures no matter what the world tells us is plausible for a woman navigating career twists, health crises, heartaches and more along an improbable five decades in music.
Of course, Gloria’s defiant spirit and vocal prowess will forever be linked to that pulsing opening beat and immediately recognizable lyrics that made “I Will Survive” a cultural landmark still spurring impromptu dance breakouts worldwide anytime it comes on. But the documentary reveals so much more beyond the enduring glory of her Grammy-winning opus.
Viewers will walk away newly enlightened to the artist’s humanitarian heart, spirituality and pride at making an impact on so many lives. We relive Gloria’s early days honing her God-given instrument in jazz clubs alongside the ecstasy of disco supremacy and also the agony of her back giving out onstage and a marriage rotting from inside. Just when it looks direst, we thrill to Gloria’s resilience as she embraces education and overcomes steep odds to birth a gospel record in her eighth decade because it was her heart’s calling.
Through the lens of Gloria’s incredible story, we reconnect to that familiar spark that tells us with faith anything yet might be possible if we believe in ourselves. Now that’s an anthem worth celebrating again and again. Brava, Gloria!
The Review
Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive
Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive offers an inspirational first-hand look at the personal trials and professional triumphs of an iconic vocalist who has soundtracked many lives with messages of empowerment and resilience. Charting over five decades of unpredictable ups and downs, Director Betsy Schechter delivers an uplifting portrait of a complicated yet indefatigably talented artist still manifesting her musical gifts into her late 70s. Even if you only know Gaynor for her era-defining disco smash, you’ll come away newly appreciating her humanity while marveling at the unexpected twists that make her an enduring icon. This feel-good music documentary is recommended viewing for old fans and new.
PROS
- Offers an intimate look at Gloria Gaynor's incredible life story
- Mixes archival footage and interviews very effectively
- Gaynor is highly candid about personal and professional struggles
- Inspiring messages about resilience and empowerment
- Strong perspective on her enduring cultural legacy
- Feel-good tone makes it engaging even for non-fans
CONS
- Could have benefited from more context on her musical impact
- Lacks enough commentary from external voices besides Gaynor
- Light on some details fans may expect (family, parenting regrets)
- Narrative format is pretty conventional
