NEW YORK (AP) – Dolly Parton has been singing about office workers who work every day from 9 am to 5 pm for over 40 years, but now the country’s icon is singing about entrepreneurs who work “from 5 to 9” to pursue their dreams after hours.
The success of the 1980s Grammy-winning legend was reversed by Squarespace – a company that helps users build and host their own websites – for a Super Bowl commercial that opens on Tuesday. Oscar winner Damien Chazelle for “La La Land” directed the film.
“Many people over the years have wanted to change the lyrics to fit certain things they are doing. I really thought that was a wonderful thing, especially for Squarespace. They like people so much, new entrepreneurs working late to start their own businesses, ”said Parton. “‘5 to 9’ seemed like a perfect thing when they launched.”
Parton is using Squarespace to create a website for his new perfume, DollyFragrance.com.
The singer, who is also an actress, producer, humanitarian and more, said she identifies with entrepreneurs who work non-stop to fulfill their goals.
“Well, I work 365 (days a year). I am always working from 5 to 9, from 9 to 5. I work all hours of the night and day, ”she said. “Whatever you need to do, you have to do it, how many hours it takes.”
In an interview with the Associated Press, Parton talked about launching “9 to 5”, being a part of this year’s Super Bowl, donating $ 1 million for coronavirus research and remembering his brother Randy Parton, who died last month. The responses were edited for length and clarity.
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AP: Are you excited to be part of this year’s Super Bowl?
Parton: Several times I was asked to be a part of this. It is always such a big commitment. I always freaked out. I know it’s just a big commitment. If you do good, you will do well. If you do evil, you do it in front of all those people. It seemed like the perfect way to do this.
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AP: What was it like to write “9 to 5” over 40 years ago?
Parton: This song remains so true for people who go out – you get up in the morning, stagger to the kitchen, pour your coffee, try to cheer up, try to get up and start working knowing that you have to do this. I am really happy. This is the 40th anniversary of “9 to 5” since the film exited. We’re celebrating, so it couldn’t have happened at a better time.
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AP: You donated $ 1 million for coronavirus research – what led you to do that?
Parton: Well, I follow my heart. I am a person of faith and I pray all the time that God will lead me in the right direction and tell me what to do. When the pandemic first appeared, it was my first thought: “I need to do something to try to help find a vaccine”. I just did some research with the people at Vanderbilt (University) – they are wonderful people, they have been so good over the years with my people in times of illness and everything. I just asked if I could donate a million dollars to research a vaccine.
I get a lot more credit than I deserve, but I was happy to be a part of it all.
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AP: Did you get your chance?
Parton: No. I’m not going to take mine until more people get theirs. I don’t want it to look like I’m skipping the line just because I donated money. I’m really funny about that. I’ll get mine, but I’ll wait. I am at the age when I could have obtained mine legally last week. I turned 75. I was going to do this on my birthday and I thought, “No, don’t do this”. You’ll look like you’re just doing a show. None of my work is really like that. I was not doing this for a show. I’ll get mine. I want that. I will answer. When I do, I will probably do it on camera to let people know and tell the truth, if I have symptoms and everything. I hope this encourages people. I’m not going to skip the line just because I could.
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AP: How does it feel to be 75 years old?
Parton: Well, I intend to stay here much longer. I have no plans to slow down because the number says I should. I don’t pay attention to that. I wake up with new dreams every day. I try to make the most of every year I have lived. I’ve been doing this since I was little. I’ll do this until I pass out. Hopefully, it won’t be too soon.
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AP: Your brother Randy recently died of cancer. How are you doing?
Parton: Well, we are heartbroken. We loved him very much. He fought very hard last year. Randy was a wonderful, entertaining artist. He was very dear to me. He was one of my younger brothers. I lost my youngest brother last year, at about the same time of year. This was really a double blow for all of us. There is a certain kind of peace that comes from knowing that he is at peace, and he was suffering, and we don’t like that. He is very loved. You just walk around with a hole in your heart and a knot in your stomach. You just think about him, love him, try to keep his precious memories. You have to continue. We are a close family, so we support each other.