"I Will Survive" is a hit song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978.
It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris. A top-selling song after its initial release, it has
remained a popular disco anthem, as well as being certified double platinum by the RIAA. The song's lyrics
describe the narrator's discovery of personal strength following an initially devastating breakup. It received
heavy airplay in 1979, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart on consecutive
weeks. The song is also frequently recalled as a symbol of female strength and as a gay anthem. The song
received the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980, the only year the award was given. It is ranked
#492 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and ranked at #97 on Billboard
magazine's "All-Time Hot 100".
*** Pay attention to the chords structure.
You might use two different structures
for the chords Am, Dm, G and Cmaj7 However,
the rest of the chords must remain intact
to reach the original pitch of the song. ***
Am 12.12.14.14.13.12 or Am 577555
Dm 10.12.12.10.10.10 or Dm 557765
G 10.10.12.12.12.10 or G 355433
Cmaj7 8.10.10.9.8.8 or Cmaj7 335453
Fmaj7 8.8.10.9.10.8
Bm7b5 7.8.7.7.10.7
Esus4 7.7.9.9.10.7
E7 779797
[Verse 1]
Am
First, I was afraid
Dm
I was petrified
G
Kept thinking I could never live
Cmaj7
Without you by my side
Fmaj7
But I spent so many nights
Bm7b5
Thinking how you did me wrong
Esus4
I grew strong
E7
I learned how to get alone
[Verse 2]
Am
And so, you're back
Dm
From outer space
G
I just walked in to find you here
Cmaj7
With that sad look upon your face
Am
I should have changed my stupid lock
Bm7b5
I should have made you leave your key
Esus4
If I had known for just one second
E7
You’d be back to bother me
[Pre-Chorus]
Am
Go on now go
Dm
Walk out the door
G
Just turn around now
Cmaj7
Cause you're not welcome anymore
Fmaj7
Weren’t you the one?
Bm7b5
Who tried to hurt me with good bye?
Esus4
You think I'd crumble
E7
You think I'd lay down and die
[Chorus 1]
Am
Oh no, not I
Dm
I will survive
G
As long as I know how to love
Cmaj7
I know I will stay alive
Fmaj7
I've got all my life to live
Bm7b5
I've got all my love to give
Esus4
And I'll survive
E7
I will survive
[Bridge]
Am Dm G Cmaj7
Fmaj7 Bm7b5 Esus4 E7
Am Dm G Cmaj7
Fmaj7 Bm7b5 Esus4 E7
[verse 3]
Am
It took all the strength
Dm
I had not to fall apart
G
Kept trying hard
Cmaj7
To mend the pieces of my broken heart
Fmaj7
And I spent oh so many nights
Bm7b5
Just feeling sorry for myself
Esus4
I used to cry
E7
Now I hold my head up high
[verse 4]
Am
And you see me
Dm
Somebody new
G
I'm not that chained up little person
Cmaj7
Still in love with you
Fmaj7
And so you felt like dropping in
Bm7b5
And just expect me to be free
Esus4
Now I'm saving all my loving
E7
For someone who's loving me
[Pre-Chorus]
Am
Go on now go
Dm
Walk out the door
G
Just turn around now
Cmaj7
Cause you're not welcome anymore
Fmaj7
Weren’t you the one?
Bm7b5
Who tried to hurt me with good bye?
Esus4
You think I'd crumble
E7
You think I'd lay down and die
[Chorus 2]
Am
Oh no, not I
Dm
I will survive
G
As long as I know how to love
Cmaj7
I know I will stay alive
Fmaj7
I've got all my life to live
Bm7b5
I've got all my love to give
Esus4
And I'll survive
E7
I will survive
[Pre-Chorus]
Am
Go on now go
Dm
Walk out the door
G
Just turn around now
Cmaj7
Cause you're not welcome anymore
Fmaj7
Weren’t you the one?
Bm7b5
Who tried to hurt me with good bye?
Esus4
You think I'd crumble
E7
You think I'd lay down and die
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