Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson’s “9 to 5” Reboot Is Out Today (and It’s Not What You Expect)

Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5″ — originally written for the 1980 film of the same name, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin — has been one of her signature hits for over four decades. The song’s catchy tune and theme of women being overworked and underpaid still resonates today. In honor of an upcoming documentary about the film’s legacy, titled — what else? — Still Working 9 to 5, Parton partnered with Kelly Clarkson to record a new version of the song.

The reimagining of the originally peppy song casts it in a more downtempo and moody light. Clarkson’s signature emotional delivery is on full display, complemented by Parton’s classic chirpiness (“I got to sing background for a change,” Parton joked in an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show). In a press statement, Clarkson, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the American Idol win that made her famous, said that singing with the country legend now gives her “bragging rights til the end of time.”

The two singers share a mutual respect that crosses generations. “Nobody sings like Kelly Clarkson. She makes any song come alive,” says Parton. Clarkson, in turn, calls Parton “an inspiration to all women” — and we couldn’t agree more. 

This new version of “9 to 5” also has a deeper meaning. When the song and documentary were originally announced earlier this year, Camille Hardman, the film’s co-director, said, “The first iteration, Dolly’s original version, was very upbeat… this version is just a little bit melancholic,” paying homage to how “women are still trying to get equality and it hasn’t happened yet, 42 years after this song was created.”

While this new iteration of the song may have a different vibe, it’s great to see how Parton’s songwriting remains relevant and continues to endear her to fans of all ages. You can listen to the new “9 to 5” below and see Still Working 9 to 5 in select theaters later this month.