Gaynor was a singer with the Soul Satisfiers, a jazz/pop band, in the 1960s. Her first solo single was "She'll Be Sorry/Let Me Go Baby" in 1965.
Her first real success came in 1975 with the release of her album Never Can Say Goodbye, which established her as a disco artist. The first side of this album consisted of three disco songs ("Honey Bee", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Reach Out, I'll Be There"), with no breaks in between the songs. This 19-minute dance marathon proved to be enormously popular, especially at dance clubs. All three songs were released as singles via radio edits, and all of them became hits. This album was so instrumental in introducing disco music to the public, that many later believed that Gloria Gaynor had been the first artist to record disco music. "Never Can Say Goodbye" became the first song to top Billboard magazine's dance chart - in that sense, she was the first. Capitalizing on the success of her first album, Gaynor quickly released her second album, Experience Gloria Gaynor, later that same year. While this album was also successful, it was not quite as popular as her previous album in the mainstream.
Some of her lesser-known singles, due to lack of recurrent airplay, include "Honey Bee", "Casanova Brown", and "Let's Make A Deal" which all became hits in the clubs and reached the Top 5 on Billboard's disco charts. After her 1976 album, I've Got You, Gaynor shifted from her hit production team to work with other productions. While it seemed like a good move, her subsequent producers did not seem to match Gaynor's vocal approach and style as well. This caused her the albums that followed, such as 1977's Glorious and 1978's Park Avenue Sound, to be regarded as merely good albums instead of excellent albums.
For the next few years, Gaynor would only enjoy a few moderate hits. However, in late 1978, with the release of her album Love Tracks, she climbed the pop charts again because of her now-signature song "I Will Survive". The lyrics of this song are written from the point of view of a woman, recently dumped, telling her former lover that she can cope without him and does not want anything more to do with him. The song has become something of an anthem of female emancipation, and is still a staple of office parties and karaoke nights. The song was awarded the first and only Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording in 1980 (the category was discontinued upon disco's fall from favor shortly afterward). In 1999, Pixar animator Victor Navone used this song to create an alien music video, which for a time, was a minor internet phenomenon.
Interestingly, "I Will Survive" was originally the B-side when Polydor Records released it in late 1978. The A-side, a song called "Substitute", then a recent worldwide hit for South African girl-group Clout, was considered to be more "radio friendly." Radio DJs flipped the record over, and audience response forced the record company to flip the songs, so that subsequent copies of the single listed the more popular song on the A-side. In late 1979, she released the album I Have A Right, which contained her next disco hit, "Let Me Know (I Have The Right)", featuring Doc Severinsen of The Tonight Show fame on trumpet solo.
Even though she exprienced difficulty having hit records in the U.S. after "I Am What I Am", the majority of her subsequent single chart on the UK Singles Chart. During the late 1990s and the 2000s, Gaynor returned to the American charts. She issued two albums, 2002's I Wish You Love and 2006's The Answer, that were well received with her fanbase.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Gloria Gaynor Lyrics
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Ringing through the night, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea with a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know
A child, a child shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Pray for peace, people everywhere, listen to what I say
A child, a child, sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
The song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of how the news of the birth of Jesus spreads from a lamb to a shepherd boy, and from a shepherd boy to a mighty king, and finally from the king to all the people. Each person hears something different and unique, but it all leads to the same conclusion - the birth of the savior, the child who will bring goodness and light to the world.
The song uses strong imagery and metaphors to convey its message. The voice that the lamb hears is described as "big as the sea," which emphasizes the power and importance of the message. The shepherd boy hears the same voice, but instead of being overwhelmed, he takes action by informing the king about the child. The king, in turn, understands the significance of this news and spreads it to his people. The repetition of the phrase "Do you hear what I hear?" serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in spreading important messages.
Overall, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a song about hope and faith. It encourages us to look beyond ourselves and to listen to the messages of others, even if they come in unexpected ways. It reminds us of the power of a single voice to inspire and ignite change in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear
The lamb asked the shepherd if he could perceive the amazing sound she heard.
Ringing through the night, shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear
A sound emanates through the night and the little lamb asks if the message is seen by the shepherd boy.
A song, a song, high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea with a voice as big as the sea
A song with an immense impact for healing seems to flow through the atmosphere above the vegetation.
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know
The boy who watches over the sheep tried to know if the king was aware of something critical he knew.
In your palace warm, mighty king, do you know what I know
Despite the luxury and comfort surrounding the king, the boy inquires if he is mindful of the innocence at the mercy of the cold winds.
A child, a child shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold
A fragile child is exposed to extreme climatic conditions and therefore requires the provisions of silver and gold.
Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say
The king attempted to convey a vital message to all the citizens of his kingdom.
Pray for peace, people everywhere, listen to what I say
The king requests all the people from every corner and level of their society to join their strength in beseeching for peace.
A child, a child, sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light
The slumbering child in the dark shall bring forth gladness and illumination to everyone.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind