Released in 1980 as the theme song for the film 9 to 5, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” captures the exhaustion and frustration of working for demanding bosses while struggling for fair treatment. With its upbeat country-pop sound, the song transforms workplace frustration into an empowering anthem about dignity, ambition, independence, and breaking free from exploitation.
9 to 5 Lyrics
[Verse 1]
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 pumpin’
Out on the street, the traffic starts jumpin’
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5
[Chorus]
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 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, mm
[Verse 2]
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
Waitin’ for the day your ship’ll come in
And the tide’s gonna turn and it’s all gonna roll your way
[Chorus]
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 you never get the 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 think about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin’ 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 think about it, don’t you?
It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin’ money in his wallet
9 to 5…
Video of 9 to 5 Lyrics – Dolly Parton
Song Credits
- Song Name :– 9 to 5
- Singer Name :– Dolly Parton
- Producer:- Gregg Perry
- Album:- 9 too 5 and Odd Jobs
- Release Date :– November 10, 1980
Song Bio of 9 to 5 Lyrics – Dolly Parton
Long before it became a workplace rallying cry blasted from radios and karaoke bars, “9 to 5” started as a sound effect. Dolly Parton has said she wrote the song by tapping out a rhythm on her acrylic nails, mimicking the clatter of an office typewriter, a quirky bit of method songwriting that eventually anchored one of the most enduring anthems in American pop music.
Released on November 10, 1980, and produced by Gregg Perry, “9 to 5” served as the title track for Parton’s film debut in the workplace comedy of the same name, alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song captures the exhaustion and quiet frustration of the American office worker, the early mornings, the overlooked effort, and the dream of something better waiting just beyond the daily grind.
Featured on the album “9 to 5 and Odd Jobs,” the track became an instant crossover hit, topping both country and pop charts and earning Parton an Academy Award nomination. Decades later, it remains a cultural touchstone, still played at protests, retail counters, and cubicles everywhere, a reminder that Parton didn’t just write a hit. She wrote a generation’s frustration into three unforgettable minutes.
