Country singer, philanthropist, nice person, consummate professional and baddie to her last breath died last week at eighty years old. Dolly was liked world wide and no one…anywhere…on planet earth and beyond has anything bad to say about her.
Dolly wrote and performed “9 to 5” for the movie by the same title. “9 to 5” is the most relatable song written in the last fifty years possibly ever. Everyone has to make a living. I’ve had about three dozen jobs in my life. “9 to 5” is the proletariat battle cry for everyone that has clocked a shift in the American workforce.
Dolly Parton was from a poor background and had a soft spot for working class people. Dolly Parton understood hard work. By all accounts her success was gained honestly and with integrity. Dolly understood the value of a dollar. Dolly Parton was a literacy advocate and encouraged millions of children to read through her program that delivered books to children. Dolly created job opportunities in her native Appalachian Tennessee. It seems that everything she did was solid including her marriage that lasted a lifetime.
She cheered for the under dogs that grind it out every day. “9 to 5” makes me feel seen. Dolly was awesome. RIP country queen.
Gloria Gaynor is a close second to Dolly Parton for most relatable song. These songs debuted two years apart. Who can’t relate to “I Will Survive”? Gloria Gaynor wrote the universal theme for resilience after romantic rejection.
Detroit’s very own, Big Sean wrote “I Don’t —- With You”. This direct, no nonsense, crass song is about a break up but I like how it can be applied to any situation and/or person. The chorus is pure gold. “I Don’t —- With You” is simple and blunt and can relate to former friends and acquaintances, former employers, relatives to be kept at arms length, entire cities and geographic regions, places that gave bad customer service, schools I graduated from, celebrities, sports franchises, political parties, social movements, things that are weird (not in a cute quirky way but in a scammy, creepy way), social media platforms, industries, hobbies and personal habits in which I no longer participate. This song can be linked to absolutely anything that deserves it.
Big Sean wrote a song to accompany personal growth, putting the past behind you being grateful for the present and looking forward to the future while seeking out new opportunities. This song can be applied to present circumstances as far as setting boundaries and standards. This song is empowering and borderline spiritual. Excuse the language. I try to keep this blog clean and this is the cleanest version I could find.
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