The Meaning Behind “9 To 5” by Dolly Parton and a Worker’s Anthem From an American Treasure

“9 To 5”, the title song of the 1980 comedy, remains a defining track for Dolly Parton, who stars in the film alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Both the film and its theme song echo how Parton overcame many obstacles to build her own empire. A unifying force, Parton crafted the soundtrack to many lives with timeless anthems, a gigantic personality, and a unifying spirit.

Thank you, Dolly.

Behind the Lyrics

Most of us know the experience. We roll out of bed in a daze and pour hot coffee down our throats like a kind of restorative for the daily slog.

Tumble out of bed and I 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 pumping,
Out on the street, the traffic starts jumping.
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5.

For Parton, who rose from rural poverty to stardom, Appalachia’s iconic daughter knew a thing or two about an uphill struggle. She navigated the male-dominated country music industry and, above all else, considered herself a songwriter first as she overcame cliches about her roots and image—though she cleverly, and with humor, played with those too.

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living,
Barely getting by, it’s all taking and no giving.
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 fair promotion.
Want to move ahead, but the boss won’t seem to let me,
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me.

The Day Your Ship’ll Come In

Though the outlook at the office feels despairing, most worker bees cling to the hope that someday, this will get better. Moreover, “9 To 5” endures because it’s a great tune. But also because for most, the struggle for economic security endures too.

They let you dream just to watch ’em shatter,
You’re just a step on the bossman’s ladder.
But you’ve got dreams he’ll never take away.
In the same boat with a lot of your friends,
Waiting for the day your ship’ll come in.
And the tide’s gonna turn and it’s all gonna roll your way.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images