💃 About the Song
There’s confident, and then there’s Gloria Gaynor “I’ve had enough of your nonsense and I’m thriving” confident.
Released in 1978, I Will Survive was the B-side to a random cover tune before DJs flipped it over — and instantly knew they’d found gold. The song became the ultimate anthem of resilience, a disco gospel for anyone who’s ever been dumped, underestimated, or told to pipe down.
Written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, it’s heartbreak turned into victory lap. Gaynor recorded it while recovering from spinal surgery, singing from a stool because she literally couldn’t stand — which makes the whole “I will survive” line even more legendary.
It’s bold, it’s fierce, it’s fabulous — and it’s been adopted by everyone from drag queens to divorce parties to the entire LGBTQ+ community as the ultimate middle finger to adversity.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
- Chords: The main pattern rolls through Am – Dm – G – C – F – Bdim – E – Am.
- You can simplify it to Am – Dm – G – C – F – E – Am if that Bdim feels too spicy.
- Strumming pattern: Go for a funky Down–Down–Up–Up–Down-Up, but accent the 2 and 4. It’s disco, baby — the groove matters.
- Tempo: Around 116 bpm. Medium-fast, but smooth and consistent.
- Tone: Keep your strums crisp and rhythmic; think percussive, not floaty.
- Dynamics: Start small on “At first I was afraid…” and grow stronger every verse — by the chorus, you’re unstoppable.
- Optional trick: Throw in muted chuck-strums between phrases to mimic that tight disco rhythm section.
- Confidence tip: Don’t sing it sweet — sing it like you’ve just blocked someone’s number and changed your Wi-Fi password.
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Gloria Gaynor recorded it in one take — that’s right, one.
- The song won the first ever Grammy for Best Disco Recording (1980).
- Perren and Fekaris originally wrote it after they got fired from Motown — poetic justice, really.
- It’s been covered by everyone from Diana Ross to Cake (yes, the indie band with the deadpan singer).
- NASA even added it to a playlist of “Songs for Space Survival” — apparently disco works in zero gravity.
🌈 Final Word
Play I Will Survive like the uke itself is your victory dance partner. Keep it rhythmic, bold, and full of attitude.
Every downstroke should sound like you’ve just slammed a door you’ll never reopen.
If you don’t finish the song standing a little taller, you didn’t play it loud enough.
