Unveiling the Melody: Dolly Parton‘s Timeless Anthem “9 to 5”
In the twilight of 1980, Dolly Parton seamlessly added acting to her repertoire by starring in the cinematic gem, “9 to 5.” Cast as Doralee Rhodes, a wide-eyed secretary navigating the perils of a less-than-respectable boss, portrayed brilliantly by Dabney Coleman, Dolly found herself sharing the screen with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Interestingly, it was Fonda who, after an in-flight encounter with Dolly, was convinced she had found the perfect Doralee for the film.
On that fateful flight to New York, Jane and Dolly struck up a conversation that left an indelible mark on Fonda. Dolly’s charm and warmth resonated so deeply with Jane that she knew she had found the ideal co-star for the movie. Following a mesmerizing concert attended by Fonda, Dolly was swiftly enlisted for the pivotal role of Doralee.
“9 to 5” wasn’t just another movie; it was a sensation fueled by an extensive promotional campaign and a catchy title track penned by Dolly herself. What many don’t know is that the iconic song was born out of Dolly’s quest to combat the monotony of downtime on set. Accustomed to constant activity, the long waits between shots and hours spent in makeup became a challenge for Dolly. To transform this idle time into something productive, she turned to songwriting.
Crafted during those seemingly endless waits on set, the tune “9 to 5” perfectly encapsulated Dolly’s on-screen persona and was quickly snatched up as the film’s theme song. The movie premiered at Opryland’s Roy Acuff Theater in Nashville on December 5, 1980, before gracing over 700 theaters nationwide two weeks later.
The success of the film was mirrored by the soaring popularity of Dolly’s song, which claimed the top spot on Billboard’s country singles chart on January 24, 1981. Not stopping there, “9 to 5” also climbed to the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 pop listing, making Dolly the first female country artist since Jeannie C. Riley in 1968 to achieve a #1 pop single.
Dolly’s triumph extended beyond the charts, as she clinched a Grammy award for “9 to 5,” marking her second million-selling single after “Here You Come Again” in 1977. The legacy of “9 to 5” even transcended the silver screen when it transformed into a television series in 1982, with Dolly’s sister, Rachel Dennison, stepping into the role of Doralee.
In the enchanting tale behind the song, Dolly Parton not only conquered the charts but also etched her name in the annals of musical history with an anthem that continues to resonate through the decades.
- Album: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
- Artist: Dolly Parton
- Genre: Country
Lyrics
Tumble out of bed
And stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch and try to come to life
Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin’
Out on the streets, the traffic starts jumpin’
For folks like me on the job from 9 to 5
Workin’ 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by
It’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
9 to 5
For service and devotion
You would think that I
Would deserve a fat promotion
Want to move ahead
But the boss won’t seem to let me
I swear sometimes that man is
Out to get me, hmmm
They let you dream
Just a watch ’em shatter
You’re just a step on the boss man’s ladder
But you got dreams he’ll never take away
In the same boat with a lot of your friends
Waitin’ for the day your ship’ll come in
And the tide’s gonna turn
And it’s all gonna roll you away
Workin’ 9 to 5
What a way to make livin’
Barely gettin’ by
It’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind
And you never get the credit
It’s enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
9 to 5
Yeah, they got you were they want you
There’s a better life
And you think about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Putting money in his wallet
9 to 5
Oh, what a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by
It’s all takin’ and no givin’
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it
9 to 5
Yeah, they got you where they want you
There’s a better life
And you dream about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Putting money in his wallet
