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It's been a rather sad week for music fans overall. Last week, I posted a ZZ Top song for Reminiscings of Youth due to the passing of band drummer Frank Beard. And now in the last 48 hours, we've lost superstar Dolly Parton and the great Tim Curry, both at the age of 80. I'll be posting about both people today for a special double ROY.
I have mentioned this in past KKP articles but our family used to watch a fair bit of country music television decades ago including "Hee Haw" in America and "The Tommy Hunter Show" up here in Canada. And a number of times, we got to see the force of nature that was Dolly Parton in the 1970s. Yes, she jumped out on the stage like a particularly buxom Annie Oakley with the big hair and long nails, and even more than her music, she was able to win people over with that friendly charm that practically invited everyone over to her place for dinner and dancing.
And then at the turn of the decade, the 1980 movie "9 to 5" was released which starred Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as three harassed employees of a scummy boss played by Dabney Coleman. Sadly, I don't remember much from the film aside from Coleman getting his comeuppance and Tomlin's dream sequence which featured her as Snow White. However, what has remained with me up to now is the upbeat and surprisingly short theme song by Parton herself. "9 to 5" hit the record store shelves in November 1980 and I remember it for the singer's happy-go-lucky vocals, the intrepid pounding piano and Parton's nails clacking away like a typewriter.
"9 to 5" hit the top of the charts in both Canada and the United States. It was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars and three other awards at the Grammys. I also saw that even Buckingham Palace paid tribute to Parton with the King's Guard providing their own version of the song. I offer my condolences to Parton's family, friends and fans.
The song was released on November 3rd 1980 so what was hitting the top of the Oricon chart on that day?
1. Seiko Matsuda -- Kaze wa Aki Iro （風は秋色）
2. Toshihiko Tahara -- Hatto Shite! Good （ハッとして!Good）
3. Junko Yagami -- Purpletown (パープルタウン）You Oughta Know By Now
RIP. Loved Dolly Parton's music. I wish I could get so lucky in writing "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" in the same day. She was also universally loved by all stripes in America, which is very difficult to do, especially now. I'm curious who would have been the Japanese equivalent?
ReplyDeleteHello there and thanks for your comments. To be honest, I'd like to think that Dolly was one of a kind. I don't think there has been anyone like her and there will probably be no one like her.
DeleteAfter the success of the "9 to 5" movie back in 1980, there was also a tv show that ran from 1982-1988. It also used Dolly Parton's music and started Dolly Parton's younger sister. Growing up I saw the t.v. show but did not know of the movie. Oh, and Seiko was on her way to finish her first year as a professional singer/idol.
ReplyDeleteI remember the TV series but barely. I know that British actress Jean Marsh was in the show but that was about it.
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