Dolly Parton’s 1980 hit song “9 to 5” not only became an anthem for office workers everywhere, but also spawned one of the most iconic and brilliant music videos of all time. As we approach the 40th anniversary of the song’s release, it’s worth looking back at why the “9 to 5” video deserves to be in the conversation for the greatest music video ever made.
Cultural Relevance and Social Commentary
First and foremost, the video was culturally relevant and resonated with the working class in the early 1980s. The song and video spoke to the frustrations of office workers, particularly women, who felt unappreciated and taken advantage of in the workplace. Parton took the monotony, tediousness, and frustrations of the 9-to-5 grind and spun it into a catchy, upbeat song and video that workers everywhere could relate to.
The video visually depicted the less-than-glamorous reality of office life – being talked down to by the boss, gossiping around the water cooler, falling asleep at your desk. However, the video also touched on themes of empowerment and equality in the workplace that aligned with larger social movements of the time. Women were entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers in the ’70s and ’80s, but workplace inequality and discrimination were still very real issues. The video spoke to those realities in a fun and engaging way.
Genre-Bending Musical Brilliance
Not only was the song culturally relevant, but it was also a stroke of musical genius. Parton blended the worlds of country, pop, and disco music seamlessly. Though Parton was already an established country star, “9 to 5” marked new territory for her – a mass crossover hit that appealed to multiple audiences.
The song is undeniably catchy, pairing Parton’s folky vocals and banjo-driven country twang with pop synthesizers and a danceable disco beat. This genre-bending fusion made “9 to 5” accessible for country, pop, and disco audiences alike. The song showcased Parton’s ability to craft the perfect crossover hit.
Adding to the song’s brilliance was Parton’s decision to record it specifically for the 1980 comedy film 9 to 5 starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Parton herself. Recording a crossover song tied directly to a film was an innovative move at the time and helped cement the close relationship between the film and music industries. The Oscar-nominated song and video provided the perfect musical companion piece to the hit comedy film.
Memorable Imagery and Performances
Visually, the “9 to 5” video is stellar. It recreates some of the most memorable scenes from the film and intersperses them with footage of Parton performing the song with gusto. The opening office scene featuring a typing pool of workers immediately transports the viewer into the environment Parton is satirizing.
Seeing the trio of Fonda, Tomlin, and Parton fantasizing about getting revenge on their sexist boss, Mr. Hart, is one of the video’s most classic moments. The video captures the camaraderie between the three women and their shared work frustrations. Their performances are comedically brilliant as they poison Hart’s coffee, tie him up, and imagine turning the tables on him.
And of course, Parton herself delivers an energetic and captivating performance throughout. Her charisma leaps off the screen. Whether she’s pecking away on a typewriter or singing directly into the camera, her star power commands attention. Her auburn hair, bright wardrobe, and warm smile make her a magnetic focal point.
Lasting Cultural Legacy
While some music videos are deeply rooted in the time and era they were made, “9 to 5” has a sense of timelessness. Sure, the hairstyles and wardrobe choices scream 1980, but the song’s themes are undeniably evergreen. Workplace inequality and employee dissatisfaction remain extremely topical issues.
Nearly 40 years later, office culture and technology have changed drastically, yet “9 to 5” doesn’t feel dated. It still resonates just as powerfully today. Generation after generation of workers continue to feel overworked and undervalued. Parton’s song continues to be an upbeat anthem speaking truth to power.
The video’s legacy has also lasted through its continued homages and references in pop culture. From TV shows like The Simpsons to movies like Office Space, the “9 to 5” video remains a cultural touchstone. It’s hard to find anyone, especially of a certain generation, who doesn’t immediately recognize that opening riff.
Technical Innovation
While the “9 to 5” video did not necessarily pioneer advanced special effects or filmmaking techniques, its use of editing and dream sequence inserts were innovative for music videos of the time. The quick cuts between office scenes, musical performances, and fantasy sequences keep the energy high and the imagery captivating.
Music videos were still a relatively new creative medium in 1980, but “9 to 5” demonstrated how the form could enhance storytelling and world-building beyond just showcasing a musician performance. The video used music video conventions of the time to their full potential while laying the groundwork for more ambitious videos that would follow.
Response and Accolades
For all these reasons, the video received an overwhelmingly positive response upon its release and racked up accolades across the board. The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went on to earn Parton Grammy awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
The video’s fame grew right alongside the song’s popularity. It earned Parton an MTV Video Music Award nomination in the Best Female Video category. While MTV was still brand new in 1980, a nomination was a big achievement and spoke to the video’s crossover appeal.
The “9 to 5” video also earned prestigious nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song. The song and video became forever linked to the film’s legacy as both a comedy classic and a meaningful social commentary.
Conclusion
When considering the perfect alchemy of cultural relevance, musical brilliance, visual innovation, critical acclaim, and enduring popularity, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” music video checks every box. It surpassed being just a promotional video and became a stand-alone cultural phenomenon that resonates decades later. Though tastes and trends always evolve with each generation, “9 to 5” has a timeless quality lacking in so many other music videos. Forty years later, Parton’s 9-to-5 anthem is still the perfect pick-me-up to get through the workday grind. For all these reasons, it deserves to be ranked among the greatest music videos of all time.