Dolly Parton's 1980 hit song "9 to 5" is on track to become her first UK number one single posthumously, days after her death at the age of 80. The track has seen a significant surge in popularity, climbing the charts following news of the country music legend's passing.
According to the Official Charts Company, "9 to 5" entered the charts at number 12 last Friday, marking a 350 percent increase week-on-week. By the weekend, the song had gained further momentum and was positioned at the top spot. Preliminary sales and streaming reports indicate that "9 to 5" is expected to remain at number one until Friday.
Another of Parton's songs, "Jolene" from 1973, is currently listed at number two on the charts. While Parton achieved significant global success throughout her six-decade career, including 11 Grammy Awards, a UK number one single had always eluded her.
"9 to 5" was written and recorded by Parton for the film of the same name, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song earned Parton an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song and three Grammy nominations. The film marked her acting debut and significantly boosted her profile in Hollywood.
News of Parton's death has prompted widespread tributes from across the entertainment and political spectrums. Figures such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney, and Kylie Minogue have shared their memories and acknowledged Parton's profound influence on their careers.
Fonda described herself as "devastated" by the loss, while Tomlin stated she was "without words." Parton had been privately battling cancer in the months leading up to her death, which led to the cancellation of her Las Vegas residency in May due to ongoing health issues. She passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre in Nashville, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.