"I Will Survive" Takes On New Meaning
CUOMO: At first we were afraid, we were petrified. Sounds familiar? Of course it does but it's a new take on such a classic from none other than Gloria Gaynor. Listen to this.</s>GAYNOR: And you'll survive. With all our love and help and praise we will stand strongly by your side. We are your neighbors, tried and true. And we'll do all we can for you. And you'll survive. You will survive. You will survive.</s>CUOMO: Here she is, the one and only Gloria Gaynor. Big fan,</s>GAYNOR: I think it was when I saw the elderly people in the --</s>CUOMO: The nursing home?</s>GAYNOR: -- the nursing home. You know, it was like just really tore at my heart because they're helpless in many ways and I just can't imagine being in that situation and hoping that someone would be there for me, to bring me out of that. And so I'm like, yes, I've got to do whatever I can do. I had already donated money but need something beyond that. So at my -- actually my manager called me and I was like, what can I do and my manager said, why don't you rewrite the words to -- I'm like, oh, my God, why didn't I think of that?</s>CUOMO: Well, I'll tell you why you didn't think of it because people don't do that. You don't mess with a legendary anthem from 1978. You know, I mean, the song stands on its own. So the manager suggested it, you were OK with it. How long did it take for the words to come?</s>GAYNOR: About five minutes.</s>CUOMO: Really?</s>GAYNOR: Yes, really. They came to me.</s>CUOMO: Why do you think they came so easily?</s>GAYNOR: Well, because it was on my heart. Probably because I prayed about it and said, OK, Lord, what can I say that's going to touch these people?</s>CUOMO: And what do you want people to take from it? I mean, the original song, the reason it became such an anthem is, personal empowerment. You will get yourself through. Believe in yourself.</s>GAYNOR: Right.</s>CUOMO: The dynamic here is a little different. This is about us all being interconnected, interdependent. It doesn't matter how you look, it doesn't matter what you believe. At the end of the day, we're all in it together.</s>GAYNOR: Yes.</s>CUOMO: So it's about surviving together and you captured that in this song.</s>GAYNOR: Well, that was my purpose. That was my purpose because there are times in our lives when we are independent and can do things for ourselves but there certainly are many, many times in our lives when we need one another. And I think that it is in our finest hour that we find ourselves interdependent and responding positively to that.</s>CUOMO: Uh-huh. And look, the country did not need this. This is unqualified catastrophe that's going to stay with them forever and I don't love silver lining analysis. You know, I always feel like -- no, this is terrible. There may be some aspect that is not as terrible or even good but it is overall terrible. True on every level.</s>GAYNOR: Yes.</s>CUOMO: But at a time -- you know, sometimes if you believe things happen for a reason, this is a terrible thing. But at a time when the country was questioning who the hell are we anyway, what are we really about? You know, what are our core values? What we're seeing in terms of the recovery effort and people coming from everywhere. First responders to what we're calling this concerned citizen core which you're now a part of, I've never seen anything like it.</s>GAYNOR: Like you said, the country didn't need it. Perhaps we did, to remind us of who we are.</s>CUOMO: I just</s>GAYNOR: Well, you know, when you're a child and you're getting a spanking, you don't think you need it either.</s>CUOMO: But, I don't see that Harvey as a punishment. I'm saying that I think the reaction to it --</s>GAYNOR: Not punishment.</s>CUOMO: Right.</s>GAYNOR: Not punishment. There's a difference between reprimand and punishment.</s>CUOMO: True. But I'm saying I'll take the virtue of what's coming out of a horrible situation as an instruction in itself because I didn't expect it.</s>GAYNOR: Precisely.</s>CUOMO: First responders, they give blood and sweat 10 times out of 10. But people coming from all over the country, people like Gloria Gaynor saying I'm going to do something, for this J.J. Watt who's going to be on with Anderson later, you know, the Houston, Texan</s>GAYNOR: I'm -- yes, that is exactly I was going to have and we're going to do a concert. I'm also -- I have put the -- I have already my ERE, my merchandising company and</s>CUOMO: Well, we're acting like it right now in terms of what we're seeing people give of themselves. But it is such a long way from over. But I have to tell you, it's moments like the one that you've created that we'll keep this on people's radar, we'll make it resonate. Can we hear some more of the song? You didn't box me out with some like -- only amount of time</s>GAYNOR: At first we were afraid, we were petrified. Kept thinking Texas couldn't live in floodwaters this high. We know you spent plenty of time preparing for this hurricane. Who could have known that it would come with so much devastating rain. But we will strive. And you'll survive. With all our love and help and praise we will stand strongly by your side. We are your neighbors, tried and true. And we'll do all we can for you. And you'll survive.</s>CUOMO: It's amazing how the words just -- they just fall right into place in this song. And of course the voice has no equal. Gloria Gaynor, thank you so much.</s>GAYNOR: Thank you. Thank you so much.</s>CUOMO: No, this is --</s>GAYNOR: And thanks to all of you for all that you do to help.</s>CUOMO: Thank you very much, and we'll see where this goes and we will get the word out about the shirts. Absolutely. Absolutely. All right. So just like Gloria Gaynor stepped up, so many people have. And I've been asking you to do exactly that. There are people in need, desperate for a rescue or to find a loved one. And you have stepped up. You've made happy endings. We have a great reunion of a father and son and some really important updates. Please, go nowhere. Gloria Gaynor, thank you so much.</s>GAYNOR: Thank you so much, my pleasure.