Gloria Gaynor is a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and actress best known for her international hit song, “I Will Survive.” Born Gloria Fowles in Newark, New Jersey, she began her career as a gospel singer, eventually transitioning to disco and R&B. In 1978, she released her first album, Never Can Say Goodbye. The title track was an instant success, reaching the Top 10 in the U.S. and U.K. Two years later, Gaynor released her most iconic song, “I Will Survive,” which became an international sensation and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording. The song has become a feminist anthem and has been covered by numerous artists. Gaynor has since released several more albums, including I Have a Right (1982) and I Wish You Love (1995). She has also performed in a number of stage and television productions, including the Broadway musical Leader of the Pack.
| Name: | Gloria Gaynor |
| Born: | September 7, 1949 |
| Genre: | Disco, R&B, Soul, Gospel |
| Instruments: | Vocals |
| Years Active: | 1969–present |
| Labels: | Polydor, Ariola, MGM, PolyGram |
| Associated Acts: | The Weather Girls, Sister Sledge, Billy Paul |
10 Best Gloria Gaynor Quotes
“There’s only one you. You’re unique and special, and you have something that nobody else has.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Grammy.com
“It’s not about how many times you get knocked down, it’s about how many times you get back up.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Grammy.com
“When you come out of the darkness, you can see the light and be that light for somebody else.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Grammy.com
“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Grammy.com
“I’m not scared to try anything. I’m not scared to fail either.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from CNN.com
“I don’t think of myself as a legend, but I’m very proud of the accomplishments I’ve made.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from CNN.com
“I just didn’t give up, and I think that’s something that should be encouraged in everyone.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from CNN.com
“I think that every artist should be open to learning and growing and evolving.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NYDailyNews.com
“Music is a powerful force in my life, and I have to make sure I use it for good.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NYDailyNews.com
“I’m a fan of music first, so I’m always excited to hear what other artists are doing.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NYDailyNews.com
7 Inspirational Gloria Gaynor Quotes
“Your life is your own to create.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Grammy.com
“Accept that you’re going to have moments of despair. You’re going to have moments of joy. You’re going to have moments of sadness and moments of elation. That’s part of the human experience.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Dazed Digital
“My advice to young people would be to take control of your life and be the best you can be. Find out who you are and what you really want out of life and then go for it.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“It’s always important to accept yourself and to be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t allow other people to dictate who you are.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“Just keep your faith, stay positive, and never give up.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Essence
“You are the only one who can decide what you will and will not accept in your life.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Jerusalem Post
“Be the best you can be and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Jerusalem Post
5 Famous Gloria Gaynor Quotes
“I thought, ‘how can I convey a message of empowerment and hope and courage to people who are in a situation that they can’t get out of?’ That’s what I was thinking when I wrote ‘I Will Survive.’”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NPR
“That was the message that I was trying to get across—that you can get through any kind of situation, no matter what it is.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NPR
“When I was coming up, it was the music industry, it was the record companies that were telling me what I should record, what I should look like, what I should do. I was a puppet. I didn’t have any control over my career.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Rolling Stone
“I thought of it as a song of hope. It was a song of hope for me and for other people.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from CBS News
“I want to be an example for other people, and to continue to be an example of what you can do, no matter what your age is.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from HuffPost
7 Gloria Gaynor Quotes About Love
“Love is the most powerful force of all.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Yahoo! News
“My music has always been about love, and the power of love.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Classic FM
“Love is what we’re all here for.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“I want people to feel the power of love, that it’s a universal language, that it’s strong and it’s a force that can heal.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Telegraph
“Love is the most important thing in the world.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from NBC News
“We are all in need of love.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“Love is the answer.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Classic FM
6 Gloria Gaynor Quotes About Life
“Life is not about what you have, it’s about what you do with what you have and how you live your life.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“Life is a journey and on the way you have experiences; some good, some bad. I’ve had plenty of both.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“I’m not a fatalist but I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that life is a journey.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“My life has been a rollercoaster ride; sometimes up, sometimes down. It’s been a journey, filled with ups and downs, and I’m still here.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from The Guardian
“When I look back on my life I can actually see that everything that happened was to lead me to this moment.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Salon
“I don’t take life for granted. I think it’s a gift and we should enjoy it.”
– Gloria Gaynor, from Salon
8 Quotes About Gloria Gaynor
“Gloria Gaynor did the impossible by becoming a huge star on the basis of one song”
– Joe Lynch, from Rolling Stone
“Gloria Gaynor is one of the most important figures in the history of modern music”
– Frank Tortorici, from Pride
“Gloria Gaynor is the queen of disco”
– Roger Friedman, from Fox News
“Gloria Gaynor is one of the most beloved figures in disco”
– Will Doolittle, from Shropshire Star
“Gloria Gaynor is one of the most recognizable voices in music”
– Jon Wiederhorn, from Revolver
“The song [I Will Survive] has become a timeless anthem of strength and perseverance, and Gloria Gaynor is a true legend”
– Anuar Patjane Floriuk, from NPR
“Gloria Gaynor is a pioneer in the world of disco music”
– Zoe Haylock, from Bustle
Interview with Gloria Gaynor
Frequently Asked Questions About Gloria Gaynor
1. What are some of the most popular Gloria Gaynor quotes?
Gloria Gaynor is a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter of disco music. She is best known for her hit single “I Will Survive”, which became a worldwide hit and an anthem of resilience. She has released many other popular songs, and her quotes have become well-known as a source of inspiration and motivation. Here are some of the most popular Gloria Gaynor quotes:
- “I am what I am. I am my own special creation.”
- “I will survive, and I won’t give up the fight.”
- “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
- “Life is too short to be anything but happy.”
- “You have to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
- “Love yourself. It is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
- “Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep me from getting to you.”
- “You’ve got to be strong and courageous and know that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
- “If you want to make a difference, you have to be the difference.”
- “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
2. What is the origin of the phrase “I Will Survive”?
The phrase “I Will Survive” was first popularized by American singer-songwriter Gloria Gaynor in her iconic 1978 single of the same name. The song was written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren, and was released on Gaynor’s album Love Tracks.
The lyrics of the song are about overcoming adversity and expressing a determination to survive and thrive in the face of hardship. The song became an anthem for the LGBT community, and it has since become a timeless classic and one of the most popular disco songs of all time.
2. What is the origin of the phrase “I Will Survive”?
Gloria Gaynor’s iconic 1978 single, “I Will Survive,” has become a timeless classic and one of the most popular disco songs of all time. The song was written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren, and released on Gaynor’s album Love Tracks.
The lyrics of the song are about overcoming adversity and expressing a determination to survive and thrive in the face of hardship. The song has since become an anthem for the LGBT community, and has been featured in countless films, television shows, and other media.
3. What other songs has Gloria Gaynor released?
Gloria Gaynor has released several classic and chart-topping songs since her rise to fame in the 1970s. Some of her most iconic songs include “I Will Survive,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” and “I Am What I Am.” Here is a list of some of Gaynor’s other notable songs:
- “Honey Bee”
- “Substitute”
- “Let Me Know (I Have a Right)”
- “Come Out, Come Out”
- “Casanova Brown”
- “I Never Knew”
- “All I Need Is Your Sweet Lovin’”
- “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”
- “Just Keep Thinking About You”
- “Anybody Wanna Party?”
- “I Never Knew (What They Were Talking About)”
- “Love Is Just a Heartbeat Away”
- “I Kinda Like Me”
- “Walk On By”
- “Silent Tears”
- “I Will Survive (The Remixes)”
4. What message does Gloria Gaynor’s music convey?
Gloria Gaynor’s music is known for conveying powerful messages of resilience, strength, and hope. Throughout her career, she has used her music to empower people and to help them through difficult times. Her songs often focus on themes of self-love and self-acceptance, as well as the importance of staying positive and believing in yourself.
Some of the messages that her music conveys include:
- A reminder to never give up and never back down
- The importance of loving yourself and being kind to yourself
- The ability to find strength in yourself and to push through tough times
- The power of being brave and facing your fears
- The beauty of learning from your mistakes and growing from them
- The ability to find joy and peace in yourself and to appreciate the small moments of life
Gloria Gaynor’s music is a source of inspiration and motivation for many, and her lyrics remind us to never give up and to always be true to ourselves.
5. How has Gloria Gaynor’s music influenced popular culture?
Gloria Gaynor’s music has been a powerful force in popular culture for decades. Her powerful, inspirational lyrics and catchy melodies have been embraced by generations of music fans. Here are some of the ways her music has influenced popular culture:
- Gloria Gaynor’s song “I Will Survive” has become an anthem of perseverance and strength. It is often played at sports events, political rallies and other occasions where motivation and hope are needed.
- Her song “Never Can Say Goodbye” has been covered by dozens of artists, and has been featured in many films, television shows and commercials.
- Her song “I Am What I Am” has been used as a rallying cry for the LGBTQ community and has been quoted in many speeches and other public statements.
- Her song “I Never Knew Love Like This Before” has been sampled in many hip-hop and R&B songs, and has been covered by numerous artists.
- Her song “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” has been a staple of karaoke bars and has been covered by many artists, including Michael Jackson.
Gloria Gaynor’s music has had a profound impact on popular culture, and her songs continue to inspire and unite people from all walks of life.
Conclusion
Gloria Gaynor is a music icon who has been inspiring audiences for decades. Her powerful voice and uplifting lyrics have been a source of inspiration and joy for many. Her music is timeless and will continue to resonate with fans for many years to come. Gloria Gaynor has left a lasting legacy and her quotes encapsulate her spirit, talent and drive. As she said, “If you want something, go get it. Period.”
