Hits Medley on Live at the London Palladium 1998

[Motown Love]

[RanRan79]

I'm sorry, but Gloria Gaynor should have put a stop to this nonsense a long time ago. Diana performs that doggone song more than she performs some- or most- of her own daggone catalog. Diana has twenty or so years worth of hits she could sing at any given time, between the Supremes and her solo career. Gloria Gaynor's biggest hit by far is "Survive". Diana needed to quit then and she needs to quit it now. I want to hear "A Breathtaking Guy"!! I don't know if I'll survive any more of Diana's "I Will Survive".

[Ollie9]

I'm sorry, but Gloria Gaynor should have put a stop to this nonsense a long time ago. Diana performs that doggone song more than she performs some- or most- of her own daggone catalog. Diana has twenty or so years worth of hits she could sing at any given time, between the Supremes and her solo career. Gloria Gaynor's biggest hit by far is "Survive". Diana needed to quit then and she needs to quit it now. I want to hear "A Breathtaking Guy"!! I don't know if I'll survive any more of Diana's "I Will Survive".

I remember work colleagues talking about this performance the next day saying how poor she sounded. “Chain Reaction” does indeed sound quite awful, while the other songs are just churned out with little emotional commitment.
I have always wondered what BG’s vision for Diana really was. I would take “The Lady Is A Tramp” any day over “IWS”.

[Boogiedown]

As it does here as well, I WILL SURVIVE got way too much attention/time at her FOOL concert. Having each back -up come out and sing a piece didn't upgrade it at all, nor did it showcase their talents... dragging out the grand kids during it didn't do much either.

The arrangement, the 'aye yi yi yi yi' stuff.... its not even an endearing interpretation... lots of yelling ..sounded like loud noise ....

sorry .....

[paul_nixon]

As it does here as well, I WILL SURVIVE got way too much attention/time at her FOOL concert. Having each back -up come out and sing a piece didn't upgrade it at all, nor did it showcase their talents... dragging out the grand kids during it didn't do much either.

The arrangement, the 'aye yi yi yi yi' stuff.... its not even an endearing interpretation... sounded like loud noise ....

sorry .....

Never understood why she would have recorded it - let alone sang it in concert. It's such track associated with Gloria and she adds nothing to it it's almost like she wants to steal a hit.

[jobeterob]

IWS is way too popular at the concerts to be taken out. The ultimate fans will just have to grin and bear it

[carlo]

She got a lot of traction out of that hits medley instrumental track. She used it here, at the Superbowl and also at the World Music Awards. Vocally speaking, she sounds ok to me. Love the pink feathers and gown.

[Ollie9]

IWS is way too popular at the concerts to be taken out. The ultimate fans will just have to grin and bear it

Not so sure about that. I saw Diana in concert in 2022 with a bunch of friends who were not all ultimate fans. The interminable ‘“IWS” section was their least favourite part.
She has so many of her own songs the public would take delight in that it’s really hard to understand.
In a way it cheapens her legacy to be constantly peddling a song that was the highlight of someone else’s career and will never be associated with her.

[Spreadinglove21]

I'm sorry, but Gloria Gaynor should have put a stop to this nonsense a long time ago. Diana performs that doggone song more than she performs some- or most- of her own daggone catalog. Diana has twenty or so years worth of hits she could sing at any given time, between the Supremes and her solo career. Gloria Gaynor's biggest hit by far is "Survive". Diana needed to quit then and she needs to quit it now. I want to hear "A Breathtaking Guy"!! I don't know if I'll survive any more of Diana's "I Will Survive".

Gloria Gaynor had no hand in writing the song and she doesn't own the rights to the song so she's in no position, legally, to decree who can play or perform that song.

Diana Ross was obviously granted permission to record the song for the Take Me Higher album and given how it starts with a dedication "for her girls" it was meant to be a song dedicated to her daughters and to give them strength as they were entering adulthood. Later after she got past her own really rough personal and career patch in the late 90s and early 00's the song became personally significant to her and I suspect that's another reason why she still performs it. Also it's a known song to the casual fans who make up the majority of her live show audience and who are there for nostalgia and hear the familiar songs. And given the decline in her voice and live singing abilities in recent years due to aging, allowing the song to serve as a chance for her backpart singers to solo, gives her a chance to rest her voice while letting the show go on and yet remain on stage.

[Ollie9]

Gloria Gaynor had no hand in writing the song and she doesn't own the rights to the song so she's in no position, legally, to decree who can play or perform that song.

Diana Ross was obviously granted permission to record the song for the Take Me Higher album and given how it starts with a dedication "for her girls" it was meant to be a song dedicated to her daughters and to give them strength as they were entering adulthood. Later after she got past her own really rough personal and career patch in the late 90s and early 00's the song became personally significant to her and I suspect that's another reason why she still performs it. Also it's a known song to the casual fans who make up the majority of her live show audience and who are there for nostalgia and hear the familiar songs. And given the decline in her voice and live singing abilities in recent years due to aging, allowing the song to serve as a chance for her backpart singers to solo, gives her a chance to rest her voice while letting the show go on and yet remain on stage.

I have always believed the song to be dedicated to her gay fans as opposed to her daughters. Has she ever clarified in an interview just who the dedication was aimed at?.
It’s highly likely the song being personally significant to her, but surely there must be others from the vast repertoire that mean as much.
At least it being featured at the end the show allows those who haven’t the fortitude to sit though another round to head for the hills.

[RanRan79]

Gloria Gaynor had no hand in writing the song and she doesn't own the rights to the song so she's in no position, legally, to decree who can play or perform that song.

Diana Ross was obviously granted permission to record the song for the Take Me Higher album and given how it starts with a dedication "for her girls" it was meant to be a song dedicated to her daughters and to give them strength as they were entering adulthood. Later after she got past her own really rough personal and career patch in the late 90s and early 00's the song became personally significant to her and I suspect that's another reason why she still performs it. Also it's a known song to the casual fans who make up the majority of her live show audience and who are there for nostalgia and hear the familiar songs. And given the decline in her voice and live singing abilities in recent years due to aging, allowing the song to serve as a chance for her backpart singers to solo, gives her a chance to rest her voice while letting the show go on and yet remain on stage.

I'm not talking about legalities, I'm talking about Gloria hemming Diana up backstage and saying, "Listen cow, you have decades of hits to give your audience. Leave my song alone!"

If she sang the song every now and again- considering that she did record it- it wouldn't be a problem. That she continues to shove it down the fandom's throats at the expense of the great songs in her catalog that she could be singing, well that sucks. And it's not just "Survive" but "More Today" also, which I actually like her version. It's almost as though she has an aversion to her own catalog. Or maybe she can't shake that old Supremes training, whereby they often sang other people's songs while many of their own songs got left on the turntable.

[gman]

Mary Wilson did I WILL SURVIVE too for years in the 80's....she did it as a slow torch number with a big throaty finish at the end....She also did Donna's She Works Hard For The Money either as a encore or a false ending before Someday We'll Be Together...SWBT was my fav MW concert Supremes song...I loved Mary's husky voice...

[TheMotownManiac]

I'm sorry, but Gloria Gaynor should have put a stop to this nonsense a long time ago. Diana performs that doggone song more than she performs some- or most- of her own daggone catalog. Diana has twenty or so years worth of hits she could sing at any given time, between the Supremes and her solo career. Gloria Gaynor's biggest hit by far is "Survive". Diana needed to quit then and she needs to quit it now. I want to hear "A Breathtaking Guy"!! I don't know if I'll survive any more of Diana's "I Will Survive".

Gloria Gaynor has absolutely no control, whatsoever of who sings or records I will survive. I assume ross went through the proper channels to get clearance, pays the royalty, that’s all they care about. my guess is that you’re a lot more bothered by this than Gloria Gaynor is since she joined her on stage and did a duet with her a few years ago, she didn’t seem to mind too much. I think Diana uses this song as an anthem for her own personal fortitude, if that’s the case, she’s unlikely to change this out. It works beautifully in the show. The audience is love it. It’s a wonderful closer. Folks covers all the time. I wish she would take out way to fools and more today than yesterday, those are both covers of the biggest hits of those acts, I don’t personally care for them much - especially why do fools, it would be the first song I took out closely by more today than yesterday. The audiences seemed like more today than yesterday and I assume that it has some meaning for her. if it was up to me, I would change out half the act at least. Thank heaven She’s not doing endless love and chain reaction at least. I would like to hear, surrender and remember me, you keep me hanging on, I Hear A Symphony but it’s highly unlikely there’s going to be many changes anymore.

as for the medley on this link, it’s the flattest, excitement, wise, I think I’ve ever seen her. I skipped through most of it. It looks pretty boring, but she did a good job on best years of my life. And I will survive.

[sup_fan]

i think Ran is referring to a situation years ago that Martha tells in her book. apparently MRATV were doing a couple of Aretha tunes in their shows. and Miss Ree decided to show up at some MRATV performance and came backstage to "talk" with miss reeves. She said something along the lines of "you girls are singing them fine but that's enough. you don't need to be singing my stuff" and Miss Reeves cut the medley.

IMO Gloria probably gets a handful of bookings on oldies/disco concerts. it's not like she and Diana are competing for bookings. for whatever reason, diana seems to adore the tune and so it's probably here to stay. while i do wish to hear some of her deeper cuts, at the end of the day, it's enjoyable just to hear her. one day, we won't

and if someone has been performing onstage for close to 70 years, i think she has the right to pick whatever the fuck she wants to sing.

[thanxal]

"Listen cow, you have decades of hits to give your audience. Leave my song alone!"

If you know anything about Etta James, that sounds like an exact quote outta her mouth!

[Circa 1824]

I will scream if I hear IWS one more time, by ANYONE !

[luckyluckyme]

I will scream if I hear IWS one more time, by ANYONE !

Scream, yes, but you will _______!

[Boogiedown]

I will scream if I hear IWS one more time, by ANYONE !

it sounds like just the thought of the song makes you petrified

[Ollie9]

For whatever reason, diana seems to adore the tune and so it's probably here to stay. while i do wish to hear some of her deeper cuts, at the end of the day, it's enjoyable just to hear her. one day, we won't

and if someone has been performing onstage for close to 70 years, i think she has the right to pick whatever the fuck she wants to sing.

There appears to be many who do not enjoy hearing the song at all, being perfectly reasonable. Of course she has the right to sing what she wants, but that doesn’t effect how fans might feel upon repeatedly hearing a song forever associated with another artist given such prominence in her live performances.
Are you saying we should just feel blessed she is still performing and keep such opinion to oneself?.

[Boogiedown]

Are you saying we should just feel blessed she is still performing and keep such opinion to oneself?.

like watching Grace Jones hula hoop ?....

[sup_fan]

There appears to be many who do not enjoy hearing the song at all, being perfectly reasonable. Of course she has the right to sing what she wants, but that doesn’t effect how fans might feel upon repeatedly hearing a song forever associated with another artist given such prominence in her live performances.
Are you saying we should just feel blessed she is still performing and keep such opinion to oneself?.

not trying to be snarky about it, but essentially yes. Diana Ross is certainly more than the 2 hours or so of a current show. And I'm assuming that most fans on here reading these posts are lifelong or at least long-time fans. we've had decades of ups and downs and thrills and disappointments. years of excitement and joy and disappointments. scores of records, several movies, tons of concerts. so IMO Diana Ross has more than delivered on her responsibility of providing fans with music and shows.

she is now in the twilight not only of her career but of her life. her shows now are being done simply because she loves to perform for her fans. and after providing us with all of the above, if she feels so compelled to sing IWS, then so be it. there could soon come a time where she is not longer physically or vocally able to perform. and then it's over.

I'm not trying to say her entire career was flawless. there were releases that were very underwhelming. or records that some like, some don't. those were all of her output during her "production" period and so i see those as fair game for dissecting and debating. her current shows are more about a tribute to her contribution. her voice is clearly not the same as it was in 79 or so, with The Boss tour [[which is tend to think is her zenith of live shows and performances). her voice is lower, a bit weaker. but we overlook that because we're not judging her as a 29 year old performer. but as a legend.
the same can be done for her set list.

[Spreadinglove21]

If one is tired of or bored with Diana Ross' show, there's a simple solution. Stop going. There's apparently enough demand out there for her that someone else can buy that ticket and sit in that seat.

After seeing her two years ago at Radio City Music Hall, I decided no more. Show was fine for what it was, but that was enough for me. She won't miss me, lol!

[Ollie9]

not trying to be snarky about it, but essentially yes. Diana Ross is certainly more than the 2 hours or so of a current show. And I'm assuming that most fans on here reading these posts are lifelong or at least long-time fans. we've had decades of ups and downs and thrills and disappointments. years of excitement and joy and disappointments. scores of records, several movies, tons of concerts. so IMO Diana Ross has more than delivered on her responsibility of providing fans with music and shows.

she is now in the twilight not only of her career but of her life. her shows now are being done simply because she loves to perform for her fans. and after providing us with all of the above, if she feels so compelled to sing IWS, then so be it. there could soon come a time where she is not longer physically or vocally able to perform. and then it's over.

I'm not trying to say her entire career was flawless. there were releases that were very underwhelming. or records that some like, some don't. those were all of her output during her "production" period and so i see those as fair game for dissecting and debating. her current shows are more about a tribute to her contribution. her voice is clearly not the same as it was in 79 or so, with The Boss tour [[which is tend to think is her zenith of live shows and performances). her voice is lower, a bit weaker. but we overlook that because we're not judging her as a 29 year old performer. but as a legend.
the same can be done for her set list.

As lifelong fans all know about her amazing career. It still doesn’t stop some fans feeling beyond wearied upon hearing extended versions performed at every opportunity, or less of a fan for hating it.
I see nothing wrong with fans being honest. It’s not like she’s ever going to stop singing it, being quite right if she really loves it that much.
One thing is for sure, she will never be remembered for it.

[RanRan79]

If you know anything about Etta James, that sounds like an exact quote outta her mouth!

I do know some things about Jamesetta, and while your point is well taken, I think we both know "cow" aint the word she would have used.

[RanRan79]

Sup, stop it. Lol

All that you said about Diana is true, but lets not forget that Diana Ross isn't just a woman, she's a business. She doesn't do those shows for free. When she steps onto the stage she is a product, performing a function that people have paid to see. I don't care if she's been in business for 20 years or 100 years, if you're going to do business, criticism comes with the territory. If she can't be criticized then she needs to go sit down and call it a day.

Yes, there will come a day when someone will be called on to sing "She Didn't Survive" at her funeral [[probably me, because I'm just silly enough to do it) and many of you will long for the day when you could at least hear and see her sing Gloria's song. I, however, will not be one of those people. I love and miss Mary Wilson dearly and wish we could still hear her beautiful voice and her wonderful stories. However, I'm good on never ever hearing Mary do her impression of Flo singing "Ave Maria" or Princess Margaret asking Mary about her wig. And if Mary were still alive today, I'd be complaining about her doing both, as I did when she were here.

Yes, Diana has the right to get on stage and do her version of "WAP" if she wants to. She controls her career. But that doesn't free her from criticism.

[thanxal]

Yes, there will come a day when someone will be called on to sing "She Didn't Survive" at her funeral [[probably me, because I'm just silly enough to do it)

I bet you'll be afraid. No, you'll be petrified.

[RanRan79]

I bet you'll be afraid. No, you'll be petrified.

Only when I get to the parts where I sing "but then I spent so many nights thinking how you did Mary wrong" and how she once said "Go on Flo, walk out the door, just turn around now, you're not welcome anymore". I figure at that point I'll have to make a hasty exit.