Dolly Parton & Kelly Clarkson Release Reimagined ‘9 to 5’ Duet

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Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson are putting a new spin on the classic movie track “9 to 5” in an inspired duet version of the song, arriving via SMACKSongs/Atlantic Records. The track is being released ahead of the upcoming Still Working 9 to 5 documentary, set to premiere  Sept. 16.

The Grammy-winning artists teamed up with the film’s executive producers Shane McAnally, Sasha Sloan and King Henry to reimagine the upbeat original into a melancholic yet inspirational anthem over 40 years after the original’s release, as the fight for workplace equality persists.

Written and recorded by Parton, the original “9 to 5” debuted in 1980 in tandem with the film of the same name starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Original Song and four Grammy nominations–winning two Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

“Nobody sings like Kelly Clarkson,” Parton notes. “She makes any song come alive. I love her voice on ‘9 to 5’ and I am so proud I got to sing with her on it. I’m equally as proud of the wonderful arrangement and production by Shane McAnally.”

“I am so honored that Dolly asked me to reimagine this iconic song, ‘9 to 5,’ with her! She is so talented, an inspiration to all women, and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet,” adds Clarkson. “I hope y’all like what we did, but even if you don’t, remember I got to sing a duet with the magical Dolly Parton and now have bragging rights til the end of time!”

“It is a wildest dream scenario to work with 2 of the world’s greatest singers on one of the all-time greatest songs,” McAnally shares. “Co-produced and rearranged with my friends Sasha Sloan and King Henry, this classic has taken on a brand new life 40 years after it’s original chart run, and I am so grateful to be a part of the first time Dolly and Kelly have recorded together.  I have a feeling it won’t be the last.”

The feature documentary Still Working 9 to 5 celebrates the iconic film, while chronicling the important impact it had on the women’s movement of the time that continues today. Still Working 9 to 5 reunites stars from the original film, as well as Rita Moreno from the 9 to 5 TV series, Allison Janney from the Broadway musical, and other stars from the television and stage versions of the film.

It also features activists and individuals closely associated with the women’s movement, and explores how the film resonated with a wide audience at a time when the feminist message was being rejected and/or feared by a large swathe of the population. It follows how the success of the film spawned various 9 to 5 spin-offs, and questions if the message retains its original poignancy, as well as examining what has and has not changed for women in the workplace over the last 40 years.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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