Dolly Parton is on track to secure her first ever United Kingdom number one single this Friday as her 1980 hit song "9 to 5" surges up the charts, just a week after the country music icon died at the age of 80.
According to the Official Charts Company, the track has seen a massive surge in popularity since the singer's death last Tuesday following a private battle with cancer. She passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre, a major medical facility located in Nashville, Tennessee, the city widely considered the global capital of country music.
Parton was one of the most successful and recognisable recording artists in history, boasting a career that spanned six decades. She won 11 Grammy Awards, the most prestigious honours in the American music industry, but a UK number one single had always eluded her despite her massive international following.
That milestone looks set to be achieved posthumously. The Official Charts Company, which compiles the definitive weekly UK singles and albums charts, reports that "9 to 5" flew into the number 12 position on last Friday's chart. The sudden entry represented a staggering 350 per cent week on week increase in consumption following the news of her death.
Over the weekend, the song gained even more momentum and is currently sitting in the coveted top spot. The company predicts that the current public appetite for her music is so strong that the track will remain at the summit until the final chart is announced on Friday. The prediction is based on preliminary sales and early audio streaming reports.
The surge in listening has also extended to the rest of her extensive catalogue. Her classic 1973 song "Jolene", one of her most famous and frequently covered compositions, has also soared up the rankings and is currently sitting at number two behind "9 to 5".
Hollywood debut and Oscar nomination
Parton wrote and recorded "9 to 5" to accompany the comedy film of the same name. The movie marked her acting debut and cemented her status as a Hollywood star, expanding her appeal far beyond her country music roots.
The film tells the story of three co-workers who get revenge on their sexist and tyrannical boss. Parton starred in the movie alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, both highly acclaimed actors who would go on to become her lifelong friends.
The title track became one of Parton's defining signature anthems. It earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, recognising her at the highest level of the global film industry.
The song also received three Grammy Award nominations, including a nod for the highly coveted Song of the Year category. It has remained a pop culture staple for more than four decades, celebrated as an anthem for working women.
Industry heavyweights pay tribute
The world has been mourning the loss of the singer, with figures ranging from pop stars and politicians to Oscar winners and authors sharing their grief. Her immense impact on the global music landscape was made clear last week when numerous industry heavyweights credited her with inspiring their own careers.
Taylor Swift, one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century, paid a glowing tribute to the late icon. Swift stated that "a world without Dolly doesn't feel possible, real, or right".
The singer-songwriter added that Parton had possessed "true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person".
Fellow pop superstar Beyonce also praised the country legend, describing her as "the barometer" and "the north star" for other artists navigating the music industry. She said Parton was: "Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious."
Miley Cyrus, the pop star and Parton's goddaughter, shared a personal tribute. Cyrus said the singer had been an "angel by my side" and added that she would "always love her and want to make her proud".
Co-stars devastated by loss
Parton's film co-stars from the movie "9 to 5" also shared their immediate reactions to the news. Fonda said she was "devastated" by the loss of her friend, while Tomlin stated that she simply had "no words".
The music world saw an outpouring of love from a diverse array of artists. Other big name stars publicly declaring the significant impact the singer had on their lives included Katy Perry, Sabrina Carpenter, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue.
Parton's death followed a private battle with cancer in the months leading up to her passing. Her representative confirmed in a statement that she died surrounded by loved ones at the hospital in Tennessee.
The illness had previously forced the singer to cancel a highly anticipated Las Vegas concert residency in May. Such residencies are major commitments requiring artists to perform a series of shows at a single venue over an extended period.
At the time of the cancellation, Parton told fans the decision was due to ongoing digestive and immune system problems. She explained that the health issues had left her unable to perform the demanding live shows required for the residency.
Her passing leaves a profound legacy in both country music and mainstream pop culture, which looks set to be cemented with a historic number one single this week.
