Tag Archives: 9 to 5

Music Monday: January 23, 2023

Posted in Music, Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the newest members of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame celebrated birthday #77 last week. Dolly Parton was born January 19, 1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee. She joined fellow country superstars Hank Williams and Johnny Cash who were also recognized for their contributions to music history without being defined by one genre.

The Rock Hall’s introduction of Parton-“In a career spanning six decades, she has recorded more than 50 studio albums and, by her own estimation, written nearly 3,000 songs”-limit her talents to musician, singer and songwriter. Those are certainly impressive roots but only the first part of her story. She is so much more than just three things. She is a wife (who has spent many years honoring her husband’s wish for privacy), an actress (9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias are my favorites), an author, a businesswoman, a humantitarian (her Imagination Library is such an incredible mission) plus she has her own resort & theme park, Dollywood. She seems to grow in popularity every day, hitting three billion worldwide streams in 2021, according to her website. That is a massive reach but not surprising for a woman who has written some incredible songs, including today’s.

It was released nearly 50 years ago in October 1973, yet it is still one of the defining songs of Parton’s career. And it shows us all that a throw down is not always the way to go when confronting someone trying to hurt you. Maybe, just maybe, an honest conversation reminding them that even if they can cause you pain, perhaps they will choose not to.

“I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do
Jolene”.

Dolly Parton circa 2019. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dolly Parton: “Jolene” (1973, written by Dolly Parton).

Stay safe & well.

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Music Monday: September 5, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today we observe Labor Day in the United States. Whether you work the hours referenced in today’s song or any other schedule, whether you do it in a store, an office, on the road, outside or from home, whether you are considered white collar, blue collar or no collar, you are a laborer. A person that makes this country run. Every. Single. Day. We are, as John Lennon sang, working class heroes. May this day of rest-if you are able to observe it-be one of leisure, peace or whatever down time means to you.

“Tumble outta bed and
I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition and
Yawn & stretch & try to come to life“.

Labor

Dolly movie

Top: Telephone operators at the turn of the 20th century. Bottom: Dolly Parton on the phone in the 1980 movie, “9 to 5”. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Dolly Parton: “9 to 5” (1980, written by Dolly Parton).

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 315

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Shakespeare music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

One of country music’s most iconic & revered singers celebrated a milestone birthday last week. Dolly Parton, who was born in 1946 in TN, turned 75 years young on January 19. She has been a staple in the genre for over 50 years in a career that has seen her cross over into pop & mainstream music, acting, business ventures including her own amusement park, Dollywood, writing books and countless charity endeavors including her reading initiative, Imagination Library.

But it is her songs that she is probably most beloved for including her tale of confronting the other woman in “Jolene” to the famous theme song to the movie “9 To 5” to Whitney Houston’s chart topping rendition of “I Will Always Love You” to Parton’s work with fellow artists Kenny Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and so many others. Another of her most cherished songs, “Coat Of Many Colors” inspired TV movies based on Parton’s childhood. There is almost nothing this woman has not tried or done in the last five decades. And currently 3.9 million followers on Instagram are eagerly awaiting her next move.

I have always thought of today’s song as the female take on Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night”. It is from her 1977 album Here You Come Again & tells the story of a woman looking for company on a lonely night-a hook up, if you will. For a woman in any genre of music to tackle this subject in 1977 was controversial, but for a country artist it was down right risky. Yet for Parton it was a powerful statement that not only worked, it became a #1 song for two weeks in May 1978 & was featured in the 1979 film, “Norma Rae”. It is also one of the best vocals of Parton’s career. Happy birthday, Dolly.

“The amber sunset glow has died
My needs are very much alive
Is it ok if I stop by
It’s all wrong, but it’s all right“.

Dolly circa 2010

Dolly Parton circa 2010. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dolly Parton: “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right” (1977, written by Dolly Parton).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 20

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

A Christmas hello from me and jolly ol’ St. Nick!!!

day 19

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

A common theme in many Christmas songs is going home for the holiday.  For many people, the sentimental pull of family gatherings, traditions we learned as children and the nostalgia invoked from seeing decorations we either made or put on the tree when we were kids is just too much to resist.  Of course, for many the stress of too much family togetherness is enough of an issue to skip the trip home.  Some have committed to defending our country so home is on the other side of the world.  And for others, there is no home to go to.  But the one thing we all have access to is the music of Christmas.  That may help us all find a memory that takes us back home, if only in our dreams.

Buble

Michael Bublé:  “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (2011, written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram circa 1943).

And for a very pretty female take on this song, my choice is by the second funniest woman in one of my all time favorite movies, “9 to 5”.  And she only came in second because Lily Tomlin is a comedic genius.  So I am sure Dora Lee Rhodes understands completely why she is my number two.

Dolly

Dolly Parton:  “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (1990, written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram circa 1943).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Song Sung Two

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi again, Vixens!!!  Thanks for tuning in for the second song of the Christmas season.

christmas_village_streetview_640

Ogden City Village, Utah

Today’s tune dates back to 1943.  It has been covered by singers like Perry Como to Frank Sinatra to Kelly Clarkson to Michael Buble.  With so many diverse artists covering it in the last 70 years, a lot of people do not realize that the roots of the song go back to World War II and the soldiers stationed overseas who could not be home to celebrate the holiday with their families.  Hence, the last line of the song:  “I’ll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams”.  And with so many of our servicemen and women still serving our country on foreign soil far away from their families, the song’s original meaning holds true for them today.

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New York, 1942 Photo by Alfred Eisenstaed

At this moment, the song can be used as a prayer for the people of Tennessee who have either lost their homes or have been forced out of them because of the horrific wildfires raging near Gatlinburg.  So it was easy to pick the version of today’s song by the Tennessee native who just set up a fund to help the people of her home state who have lost everything because of those fires.  Not surprising for this powerhouse of a woman who is a singer, songwriter, musician, actress and author.  This year marked not only her 70th birthday but her 50th anniversary as an entertainer as well.  One of her other major humanitarian projects, “Imagination Library“, has provided close to 80 million free books to children.

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Courtesy of Imagination Library

She is also one third of an unbelievably great “Trio” and starred in two of my all-time favorite movies, “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias“.

9-to-5

STEEL MAGNOLIAS, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Dolly Parton, 1989

Dora Lee & Truvy.

Sa-woon x 2 on day 2!!!

So as you listen to her beautiful rendition of this song, please say a prayer for our servicemen and women & all the people being displaced by the wildfires.  Let’s hope they are all safe at home soon.

Dolly Parton:  I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing the things that I love with you.

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy listening!!!

trees