Dolly Parton’s 1980 hit “9 to 5,” written by the singer for the comedy film of the same name, has been ranked among “Best Movie Soundtrack Songs of All Time.”
The song appears in the film 9 to 5, which stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Parton in her movie debut. The three play office workers who team up against their boss, played by Dabney Coleman.
The track opens with the sound of typewriter keys and pairs an upbeat melody with lyrics about the daily grind of work.
Collider placed “9 to 5” among other well-known soundtrack tracks from different eras and styles. The list notes that great movie songs can take listeners back to the film long after the credits roll. Parton’s contribution remains closely tied to the 1980 comedy and to the everyday experiences of people who work for a living.
Country singer Dolly Parton performs onstage with an acoustic guitar in circa 1974.Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Parton wrote “9 to 5” after Jane Fonda asked her to join the movie. Parton said, “Well, this is a good opportunity, but I’ll only do it if I can write the theme song.”
She created the typewriter rhythm by clicking her acrylic nails together on the set.
In a 2019 interview she explained, per American Songwriter, “When I actually wrote this song, I actually had — I used my acrylic nails on the set when I was writing it. [laughter] I did, because they make noise, and it sounded like a typewriter to me.”
Released as a single in November 1980, the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the country chart, and the adult contemporary chart in early 1981. It was Parton’s first solo No. 1 on the Hot 100.
The track earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. It also won Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.
The song and film drew inspiration from the 9to5 organization, started in 1973 by women seeking fair pay and equal treatment at work.
Karen Nussbaum, a co-founder of the group, said of the song: “I think the song is brilliant. It starts with pride: ‘Pour myself a cup of ambition.’ It goes to grievances: ‘Barely getting by.’ It then goes to class conflict: ‘You’re just a step on the bossman’s ladder.’ And then it ends with collective power: ‘In the same boat with a lot of your friends.’ So in the space of this wildly popular song with a great beat, Dolly Parton just puts it all together by herself.”
The lyrics talk about tough bosses, low pay and the feeling of being overlooked. At the same time the music stays lively and easy to sing along to. Writer Rebecca Traister described it as “simultaneously a song of angry complaint and immense good cheer. And there is something about that combination that makes it kind of addictive and fun.”
“9 to 5” became a favorite among office workers. It ranked No. 78 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 Songs list in 2004.
Rolling Stone later called it Parton’s “most transformative song” and placed it at No. 7 on its list of her 50 best songs. The single was certified gold in 1981 and later reached multi-platinum status. It has sold hundreds of thousands of digital copies and continues to stream widely.
The song later served as the theme for a TV series based on the movie. It has appeared in other films and shows, including sequences in Deadpool 2 and The Penguin. In 2024 it was interpolated into Pitbull’s track “Powerful Women,” which featured Parton.
The track still plays on radio and in public settings decades after its release. Its mix of steady beat and plain-spoken words about the workday has kept it familiar to new listeners while remaining a landmark recording for Parton.
Related: 1985 Rock Song, Written for 'The Breakfast Club,' Became a No. 1 Hit
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