Forever No. 1: Dolly Parton, ‘9 to 5’
Good as Parton was playing Doralee in her breakout film role, her biggest contribution to the '9 to 5' movie may have been writing and performing its letter-perfect title song.
Dolly Parton, the late country music icon, achieved Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 status with her iconic anthem "9 to 5" in February 1981. The song, performed by Parton alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 film of the same name, struck a chord with audiences across the nation. Though Parton had previously reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Here You Come Again" in January 1978, "9 to 5" solidified her status as a crossover superstar.
The song effectively highlighted the struggles faced by working women in the workplace, while also delivering a message of hope and resilience. Parton's unique blend of humor, wit, and warmth in her delivery made the song both memorable and impactful. Fonda, the film's star, had a hand in choosing Parton for the role, as she recognized Parton's talents and perfect fit for the part.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
