Workin; 9 Till 5

[fiction-factory]

Reading the thread from someone about working 9 'til 5 made me start humming "he works from 9 till 5" and then I started mixing up the lyrics from Dolly Parton's and Sheena Easton's different songs about 9 till 5. On checking the lyrics I noticed remarkable similarities

"I wake up every mornin', I stumble out of bed, Stretchin' and yawnin', another day ahead ..he works from nine till five and then (Sheena)

"Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen, Pour myself a cup of ambition. Yawn and stretch and try to come to life ...Workin' 9 to 5, (Dolly)

I recall both came out at roughly the same time. Was one based on the other? I assume Sheena based it on Dolly's but maybe it was the other way round. Or just coincidence?

[andy-hughes]

I believe it was just co-incidence.

Ms. Easton's song was released under the title 'Morning Train' to avoid any confusion.

If there is a link other than simple coincidence, the Net isn't talking about it, which probably means it is simply chance and nothing more.

[Mamyalynne]

//"9 to 5" (or "Morning Train") is the title of a popular song written by British songwriter Florrie Palmer and recorded by Sheena Easton in 1980, becoming her biggest hit. It peaked at number three in the United Kingdom in August 1980 and was certified gold. It was released in the United States and Canada under the title "Morning Train (9 to 5)" to avoid confusion with Dolly Parton's recent hit "9 to 5") in February 1981. It reached number one in both countries, becoming Easton's only chart-topper in those nations.//

[Mozz71]

It's possible Sheena's one was influenced by Dolly's, especially considering Dolly's wasn't a hit in the UK.

To avoid confusion, Sheena Easton's song was renamed "Morning Train" in the States, where both songs hit number one.

[Mozz71]

Damn, I need to look at answers before I post.

[andy-hughes]

Mozz - // It's possible Sheena's one was influenced by Dolly's, especially considering Dolly's wasn't a hit in the UK. //

Unlikely - they were both released at virtually the same time.

If you are a British songwriter, the last thing you want to do is title your song with the same name as the latest release by one of the biggest stars in the world, the confusion hurts your sales, and your credibility.

If you are Dolly Parton, you don't need to bother taking titles off other writers.

Like I said, coincidence.

[fiction-factory]

Thanks. Yes, I remember it being renamed in America where it was a bit of a surprise success to me- not at all typical of US number ones at the time. I seem to remember even John Peel played it a few times. I actually prefer it to Dolly's song

[andy-hughes]

John peel kept a record box of a dozen or so singles he would rescue if the house was on fire.

Some were changed as he heard new indispensable songs - there were a few White Stripes singles at the time of his death, but his copy of Sheena's hit was still there.

Why do I remember this stuff!!!!!