69 years with Gloria Gaynor: This is her influence in Latin America
On September 7, the disco diva Gloria Gaynor will be celebrating her birthday. For that reason, here we present you how her career has influenced Latin American artists
Gloria Gaynor is undoubtedly a disco diva. Born on September 7, 1949 in New Jersey, this artist changed the history of music with her hit "I will survive" in 1978, which has more than 10 different versions from several artists around the world. In 2018, this song also celebrates 40 years since its release. During her musical career since 1965, Gaynor has released 19 studio albums and 11 compilations.
Leer en español: 69 años con Gloria Gaynor: Esta es su influencia en América Latina
Its success was due to the fact that it combined the seventies rhythms of the album with the female pop that was already gestating at that time. In addition, her lyrics, although painful, inspired many of those who heard it, as well as other musicians. Here we tell you how she inspired Latin America.
The musical influences of Gloria Gaynor
The disco music of which Gloria Gaynor is a strong representative, brought many influences to Latin America. On the one hand, Gaynor's record mutated to become the pop that some Latin American singers would sing later on in the 80s and 90s. This is evident in some pop songs that touch some of the rhythms of the album, such as the famous "Ahora te puedes marchar" of the Mexican Luis Miguel.
This song has as a direct reference some videos and songs of Michael Jackson, to whom Gloria Gaynor influenced to a great extent. The same Gaynor said in an interview for Cadena SER of Spain that many producers rejected her because her song sounded like the Jackson Five.
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On the other hand, disco music also left traces in Caribbean music, especially salsa. Just listen to the beginning of "Plástico" by the salsa singers Rubén Blades of Panama and Willie Colón of New York, which could be confused with a song by the Bee Gees or by Gaynor herself.
Even Celia Cruz herself made her own version of the hit "I will survive", inspired by the message of this song. She changed the lyrics a little and turned it IGNORE INTO an anthem of vindication of Latin American workers and musicians called "Yo viviré".
Also the Colombian singer-songwriter Darío Gómez wrote his own version in Spanish of "I will survive", called "Sobreviviré". Thus, Gloria Gaynor not only influenced the music of the Caribbean but reached the voice of the king of spite and popular music.
As if all this were not enough, having grown up in New Jersey surrounded by Latino migrants, Gloria Gaynor speaks perfect Spanish. In fact, in 2000 the artist collaborated with Miguel Bosé in his song "Hacer por hacer", in which she sings in Spanish.
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Female empowerment
In addition to all the musical influences that Gloria Gaynor's career continues today, "I will survive" also meant a letter of female empowerment and inspired many Latin American artists to write songs of spite that, instead of lamenting, celebrated the new life that it meant for them to live in freedom.
The Mexican divas who sing songs whose lyrics speak of women with broken hearts, but willing to live in independence, took much of the lyrics of Gloria Gaynor.
Thus, pop and the Mexican ballad of the 80s and 90s were played by empowered women who sang with rage, but with hope. An example of this is "Todos me miran" by Gloria Trevi, who talks about a woman who decides to be herself and pays tribute to Gloria Gaynor.
LatinAmerican Post | Juliana Rodríguez Pabón
Translated from "69 años con Gloria Gaynor: Esta es su influencia en América Latina"
