“I am so honored that Dolly asked me to reimagine this iconic song, ‘9 to 5,’ with her!” wrote Clarkson in a statement about the duet, recorded for the forthcoming Still Working 9 to 5 documentary
Dolly Parton is Still Working 9 to 5 was originally released more than 40 years ago.
Parton, 76, collaborated with Kelly Clarkson to record a brand-new duet version of “9 to 5,” which was released on Friday. The duet was recorded in advance of the upcoming documentary Still Working 9 to 5 about the renowned comedy film 9 to 5 and its cultural influence.
The downtempo, vocoder-laced pop ballad was written with Shane McAnally, Sasha Sloan, and King Henry and features Clarkson, 40, singing the working class country anthem. It serves as a fitting soundtrack for the ongoing movement for women’s equality in the workplace.
“Nobody sings like Kelly Clarkson. She makes any song come alive,” said Parton in a press release about the song. “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.”
In a press release, Clarkson also gushed about how much she admired Parton. “I am so honored that Dolly asked me to reimagine this iconic song, ‘9 to 5,’ with her!” wrote the Kelly Clarkson Show host. “She is so talented, an inspiration to all women, and one of the sweetest people you will ever meet!”
Clarkson continued, “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!”
In a press release, McAnally, 47, discussed working with both singers. “It is a wildest dream scenario to work with 2 of the world’s greatest singers on one of the all-time greatest songs,” he said before hinting at the possibility of more music to come from Parton and Clarkson. “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 comedy film with the same name, starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, was also released in 1980 at the same time as “9 to 5”. The song reached its highest point on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 1, earning Parton four Grammy nominations and two wins for the best country song and best country vocal performance, female, in addition to an Academy Award nomination for best original song.
Still, Working 9 to 5 will include a segment on Parton and Clarkson’s duet in which they discuss the movie and its feminist themes. Rita Moreno from the 9 to 5 TV series and Allison Janney from the stage adaptation will also appear in the documentary, which will premiere on September 16. McAnally is the executive producer of the documentary, which also features activists and other key players from the women’s rights movement.
Parton has previously recreated the well-known hit song. For website company Squarespace, the musician last year debuted her first-ever Super Bowl commercial, rewriting “9 to 5” as “5 to 9.”
“Workin’ 5 to 9, you’ve got passion and a vision. ‘Cause it’s hustlin’ time, only way to make a livin’,” sang Parton in the ad. “Gonna change your life. Do something that gives it meaning with a website that is worthy of your dreamin’!”
When she spoke with host Hoda Kotb on Today about the advertisement, she said, “This was a wonderful way to bring back that song and add new words and talk about what these new people are doing so I’m excited about it.”
“I work 365 [days a year]. I’m always working 5 to 9, 9 to 5. I work all hours of the night and day,” Parton also told The Associated Press. “Whatever you need to do, you gotta get it done, however many hours it takes.”
