Song Clearance Sheet
6 sources citedI Will Survive
Disco1970s117BPM
C majKey
More around 120 BPM → · More in C major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Perren & Fekaris), no dispute found — a genuinely clean case with extensive institutional recognition.
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1978
GenreDisco
LabelPolydor Records
ProducerFreddie Perren
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters — Freddie Perren & Dino Fekaris
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Polydor Records; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — a #1 global standard, widely covered and licensed; won a Grammy (1979) and added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry (2015)
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found, but extensive legitimate licensing — a clean case with no dispute
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Co-writer Freddie Perren also co-wrote "I Want You Back"
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Freddie Perren (d. 2004) & Dino Fekaris
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Everyone knew it was the stronger track — the label insisted otherwise
Both Gaynor and her producers reportedly recognized "I Will Survive" as superior during the session, but the label president insisted on releasing "Substitute" as the planned A-side; it began as the B-side.
Smooth Radio · read it →
A grassroots DJ-driven flip to stardom
Gaynor's own husband personally brought the record to Richie Kaczor, resident DJ at Studio 54, who loved the B-side and began playing it — directly driving its crossover success.
Classic Song of the Day · read it →
A remarkable recording-session detail
Gaynor arrived recovering from a spinal injury, performing with support baffles rigged under her arms; Fekaris had forgotten the lyric sheet and quickly wrote the words from memory on a torn brown paper bag for her to read on the spot.
Steve Pafford · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A #1 global standard — widely covered
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
GG
Freddie Perren & Dino Fekaris
The credited songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
References
Every source cited on this page — 6 in total
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Deep Batch 2)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass