Jan. 16 [14:00 EST] -- What do R.E.M. and Cake have in common? Surprisingly, the answer is disco queen Gloria Gaynor. Both bands have recorded cover versions of Gaynors 1978 dance floor anthem of independence and resiliency, "I Will Survive.

R.E.M.'s rendition turned up on a limited edition 45 that was sent out as a holiday gift for 5600 fan club members (devotees also received a coaster, sticker, and a calendar featuring shots of the band as captured by photographer Anton Corbijn). The B-side of the 45 features R.E.M.'s take on "Only In America" (a moderate hit for Jay and the Americans in 1963) which was to appear on the as yet unreleased soundtrack for the John Candy film, "Canadian Bacon.

Meanwhile Cake have taken a much more public route with their version of the Gloria Gaynor hit. The band recently finished work for the video for "I Will Survive," which will be the next single off of the bands "Fashion Nugget" album. The clip will debut on MTV's 120 Minutes

on January 27.

R.E.M. has made something of a tradition of these fan club covers. In the past, the band has recorded Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game," the Vibrator's "Baby Baby," and Gershwin's "Summertime." All the copies their Gaynor cover have been scarfed up, but interested fans can still join the club (for a $10 fee) and wait for next year's edition. For more information, fans should write to the fan club at Box 8032, Athens, GA, 30603.