Gloria Gaynor, the queen of disco survival anthems, has graced us with a playlist that is equal parts heartfelt, nostalgic, and delightfully petty. The 80-year-old singer, best known for her 1978 smash hit "I Will Survive," walked The Guardian through the songs that have defined her life - from the first tune that made her feel things to the one she absolutely cannot hear without thinking of her ex-husband.

Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, with five brothers and one sister, Gaynor’s musical journey began early. She recalls her mother singing "Willow Weep for Me" when she was five or six, and being deeply moved by its sadness. Her first single purchase was Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," which she heard on the radio. A neighbor overheard her singing it in the hallway and mistook her for the radio - a moment that convinced Gaynor she was destined to be a singer.

As for karaoke? She’s only done it once, about 20 years ago for her birthday. Someone dared her to get up and sing "I Will Survive" as if she were drunk. Her thought process: "If you’re going to do it, you might as well commit." She did, and she nailed it.

Gaynor inexplicably knows every lyric to Alicia Keys' "Every Little Bit Hurts," sympathizing with its tale of unrequited love from her own youth. For parties, she recommends Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" featuring Jay-Z - a fun song that makes you move your body the moment it comes on. For sex, she picks Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" for its sexy groove and right tempo.

The song she can no longer listen to is Tavares' "Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel," because her ex-husband used to sing it to her. Now it’s forever tainted. The song that changed her life was "Never Can Say Goodbye," her first major hit, which took her from dreaming to living the dream. Her morning anthem is the gospel song "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," specifically Carrie Underwood's version. The song that makes her cry is "Amazing Grace" - her own version, which opens her last album, reminds her of God's grace carrying her through life.

For her funeral, Gaynor wants "I Want to See You," a song she wrote about reunion in heaven. Because if anyone knows how to leave a message, it's the woman who taught the world to survive.

Gloria Gaynor headlines Boogietown in Walton-on-Thames on 11 July.