Survivor / I Will Survive
Glee Cast Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along

And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here, with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second, you'd be back to bother me

Oh now go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble?
Did you think I'd lay down and die?

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

It took all the strength I had
Not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend
The pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights
Just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

Thought I couldn't breathe without ya
I'm inhaling
You thought I couldn't see without you
Perfect vision
You thought I couldn't last without you
But I'm lastin'
You thought that I would die without you
But I'm livin'

Thought that I would fail without you
But I'm on top
Thought it would be over by now
But it won't stop
Thought that I would self destruct
But I'm still here
Even in my years to come
I'm still gon' be here

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

Oh no, not I
I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive
I will survive (hey hey)

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)





I will survive

Overall Meaning

The song "Survivor/I Will Survive" by the Glee Cast is a medley of two iconic songs that speak of resilience and standing strong in the face of adversity. The lyrics begin with the singer confessing that they were initially scared and felt petrified at the thought of living without someone by their side. However, they soon realized that they had grown stronger over time and learned to get along without their significant other.


The singer then recounts how they walked in on their ex, who had seemingly come back into their life with a remorseful demeanor. However, the singer asserts that they had wished they had changed the locks and never let them back in. The chorus then echoes the idea of resilience and survival, with the singer proclaiming that they will not give up or stop, but instead work harder to rebuild and move forward.


The song also touches on the idea of self-sufficiency and independence, with the singer expressing that they no longer need their ex-partner to survive. They assert that they can breathe, see, and last without their former partner's presence, and they are still standing strong regardless of what had happened in the past.


Overall, "Survivor/I Will Survive" is a powerful anthem that speaks of resilience, strength, and survival. It encourages listeners to continue moving forward, even in the face of adversity, and to remember that they have the power to "keep on survivin'."


Line by Line Meaning

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
I was initially afraid and petrified without someone in my life


Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side
I persistently thought living without you was impossible


But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
Afterward, I spent multiple nights pondering how you wronged me


And I grew strong
It made me resilient


And I learned how to get along
After acknowledging everything, I learned how to get by


And so you're back from outer space
You're now back, and I'm shocked


I just walked in to find you here, with that sad look upon your face
I was surprised to find you with a distressed expression


I should have changed that stupid lock
I ought to have replaced that foolish lock


I should have made you leave your key
I should have mandated you to surrender the key


If I had known for just one second, you'd be back to bother me
Had I known that you will return so soon to bother me


Oh now go, walk out the door
Get out now, and leave


Just turn around now
Stop and turn the other way


'Cause you're not welcome anymore
You're not welcome here again


Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Weren't you, the one who wanted to inflict pain with the goodbye?


Did you think I'd crumble?
Did you think my determination would fail?


Did you think I'd lay down and die?
Did you think I would lay down and die?


I'm a survivor (What?)
I persevere (What?)


I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I won't abandon (What?)


I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I won't cease (What?)


I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I will put in more effort (What?)


I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will overcome (What?)


Keep on survivin' (What?)
I will continue to persevere (What?)


It took all the strength I had
It took all my resilience


Not to fall apart
Not to lose my determination


Kept trying hard to mend
I continually attempted to repair it


The pieces of my broken heart
The broken heart into pieces


And I spent oh so many nights
Spent many nights


Just feeling sorry for myself
Succumbing to self-pity


I used to cry
I cried


But now I hold my head up high
But now I'm confident


Thought I couldn't breathe without ya
I believed I couldn't respire without you


I'm inhaling
But now I breathe with ease


You thought I couldn't see without you
You contemplated I couldn't see without you


Perfect vision
But I still have clear eyesight


You thought I couldn't last without you
You thought I couldn't endure without you


But I'm lastin'
But I'm surviving


You thought that I would die without you
You believed I would pass away without you


But I'm livin'
But I'm still living


Thought that I would fail without you
You thought that I would fail without you


But I'm on top
But I'm succeeding


Thought it would be over by now
You thought this would be over by now


But it won't stop
But it doesn't seem to end


Thought that I would self destruct
You thought I would self-destruct


But I'm still here
But I'm still persistent


Even in my years to come
Even in the years to come


I'm still gon' be here
I'll still be resilient


Oh no, not I
No, not me


I will survive
I will persevere


Oh as long as I know how to love
As long as I still have love


I know I'll stay alive
I know I will survive


I've got all my life to live
I have my whole life in front of me


I've got all my love to give
I have more love to give


And I'll survive
And I will persevere


I will survive (hey hey)
I will survive (hey hey)




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Dent, Beyonce Knowles, Mathew Knowles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@brandonrodriguez3083

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along

And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here, with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second, you'd be back to bother me

Oh now go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble?
Did you think I'd lay down and die?

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

It took all the strength I had
Not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend
The pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights
Just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

Thought I couldn't breathe without ya
I'm inhaling
You thought I couldn't see without you
Perfect vision
You thought I couldn't last without you
But I'm lastin'
You thought that I would die without you
But I'm livin'

Thought that I would fail without you
But I'm on top
Thought it would be over by now
But it won't stop
Thought that I would self destruct
But I'm still here
Even in my years to come
I'm still gon' be here

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

Oh no, not I
I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive
I will survive (hey hey)

I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)

I will survive



@kameranmoatasem6478

At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinkin' I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along
And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here, with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second, you'd be back to bother me
Oh now go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble?
Did you think I'd lay down and die?
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)
It took all the strength I had
Not to fall apart
Kept trying hard to mend
The pieces of my broken heart
And I spent oh so many nights
Just feeling sorry for myself
I used to cry
But now I hold my head up high
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)
Thought I couldn't breathe without ya
I'm inhaling
You thought I couldn't see without you
Perfect vision
You thought I couldn't last without you
But I'm lastin'
You thought that I would die without you
But I'm livin'
Thought that I would fail without you
But I'm on top
Thought it would be over by now
But it won't stop
Thought that I would self destruct
But I'm still here
Even in my years to come
I'm still gon' be here
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)
Oh no, not I
I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love
I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
And I'll survive
I will survive (hey hey)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm not gon' give up (What?)
I'm not gon' stop (What?)
I'm gon' work harder (What?)
I'm a survivor (What?)
I'm gonna make it (What?)
I will survive (What?)
Keep on survivin' (What?)
I will survive



All comments from YouTube:

@ander9917

This would save me from Vecna

@pirminbachmann

Theres just so much irony behind this comment, and i love it

@ander9917

@@pirminbachmann WHERE. I can’t seem to find it. I’ve looked behind it

@pirminbachmann

@@ander9917 Cuz its called, Survivor/I will Survive

@ander9917

@@pirminbachmann I’m so dumb bro I swear it’s rough out here 😩

@pirminbachmann

@@ander9917 True Stroy Bro

10 More Replies...

@Max-my6rk

still one of the best mashup of glee.. they should have won that competition.

@ashiaku9864

Hell they should have won an award with this alone

@ch2010ize

New Directions should have gotten last fucking place in this competition tbh

@rodjoh

One of the absolute best glee tracks

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