DISCOVER THE WORLD OF MUSICAL THEATRE WITH ME
While "9 to 5" is not in my top 10 favorite musicals of all time list, I do think the show is incredibly heartwarming and fun. And it is mostly to do with the songs (duh, it's a musical). So! Let's make a "Top 10 Best Songs" list for this musical.
Let's go!
And if you don't know anything about "9 to 5", click here for more information.
TOP 10
10 - Always a Woman
I was actually back and forth on this spot, because I originally had “Potion Notion” here.
I absolutely loved Allison Janney’s performance in that number when I watched it. The lyrics are fantastic and so funny. However, when I just listened to the cast recording, I found “Potion Notion” lacking. It still made me smile, but I didn’t laugh or feel like the song was anything special. I think this is the type of song where you need to see it to understand what is going on.
So, I decided to put “Always a Woman” at number 10.
This song is where Franklin is tied up in his own bedroom, and he’s got quite a few things to say about his situation.
Every sexist, egotical thing you can think of is in this song.
The ultimate toxic man everybody!
I wasn’t a big fan of the villain songs in this musical, but “Always a Woman” is fun to listen to, and I much prefer it over “Here for You”. Also, the actor, Marc Kudisch, has an incredible voice especially that ending note, and the song itself is just so groovy and has this gospel vibe to it that makes you want to dance.
Even though the song is sexist like no other, that’s the point...
It’s a villain song.
Every little sexism comment you can think to say is in this number, and it’s hilariously fantastic.
9 - Backwoods Barbie
Now, when I first heard this song, I remembered it feeling very out of place with the rest of the musical. It’s very country compared to the rest of the very broadway album.
But, once I learned it was originally Dolly Parton’s song who changed it slightly for the musical, it made more sense.
Doralee was Dolly Parton’s character in the original movie, and Dolly really made that character her own.
So, having this song for Doralee’s character fits as it truly explains Doralee isn’t some dumb blonde, and she knows what people think of her. But, she isn’t a victim and knows how to stand up for herself when needed.
And, though I don’t really relate to Doralee or have much in common with her, the lyrics really hit straight to my heart.
Lyrics like:
“Don't judge me by the cover, cause I'm a real good book, So read into it what you will, but see me as I am”
and
“Yes I can see how I could be misjudged upon first glance, But even backwoods Barbies deserve a second chance”
...hit deep.
But the ending is what usually gets me...
“Cause even backwoods Barbies get their feelings hurt”
I get teary eyed when I hear that line.
I think any woman can relate to those lyrics even if they are not as glamorous and fabulous as Doralee or Dolly Patron.
Fantastic song from Dolly.
8 - One of the Boys
Violet is finally taking charge!
This is such a fun number and a great way to open up Act 2!
Violet gets to have her solo moment, and when I watched it, I thought this was one of the best musical numbers in the whole show.
Even though the actress is not a typical broadway singer, Allison Janney adds so much joy, character, and talent into this song. She did a fantastic job.
And, what’s so great is I think she sings the song better in the cast recording (probably because she doesn’t have to jump around, dance, get on tables, do costumes changes, etc.).
I love altos.
However, again, I think this is one of those songs you have to see to get it, because there is a big dance number in the middle of the recording that doesn’t translate every well through audio. It’s just one of those songs you have to see, and I promise it’s worth it.
Super fun song that screams musical theatre.
7 - Change It
Great song with lyrics to remember when you’re feeling down.
But... I don’t know why…
Because I really, really like the lyrics in this song...
But for some reason, it feels like there is something lacking.
It’s another fantastic, empowering song that Doralee leads as she and Judy convince the workers to make the workplace a better environment, and everyone sings the song beautifully, but…
The song is so forgettable.
I originally had this song much higher on the list, but after listening to it again, it just doesn’t have the “ugh” (how do you even type that sound effect) that I would usually get out of a song like this.
Compared to all of the other empowering numbers in this musical, I think this song is the weakest. It just doesn’t hit where it should.
I’m not a composer so I can’t explain in better detail why I feel this way, but regardless, it is a good song. The lyrics are inspiring and should be on the playlist.
It’s just not a great song, you know?
6 - 9 to 5 + Finale: 9 to 5
Honestly, this is a song I would put as my alarm if I didn’t know I would end up hating it three months later, and that’s a shame, but I don’t want to end up despising the iconic "9 to 5".
This is Dolly Parton’s "9 to 5" but broadwayifed (if that is even a word), and she did a fantastic job changing the song to fit the broadway stage.
You still have the classic chorus here, but then, you have all these new added lyrics that make the overall song so much better.
It starts out with alarms, beeps, and bells to “wake” you up. Then, we are introduced to the three main characters.
Somehow, Dolly was able to really let each individual shine musically. We get a taste of the kind of individuals they are and what problems they are currently facing:
Violet talking about her life with her son and feeling dejected from her job as she continues to be overlooked.
Doralee feeling upset about how she is treated at work but shows how resilient she is with her supportive husband at her side.
And Judy taking on a new chapter in her life after her husband divorced her.
Just with these few moments, Dolly gave us so much information and clues us in what the overall show is going to be like.
And don't even get me started on the music! How it’s stays in pace with Violet’s section before it transitions from broadway to a more country style tone with Doralee then transitions again to a slower, softer sound when introducing Judy.
This is a 10/10 opening musical number.
And that ending always gets me. I like the overlapping lyrics of-
~“9 to 5" ~
~“Get up and work, get up and work”~
Love. It.
Genuinely was dancing to this song from the beginning to the end.
TOP 5
5 - Let Love Grow
An unexpected sweet love song between Violet and Joe.
I remembered this song took me by surprise, because one, there is no love interest for Violet in the movie so having this storyline in the musical was a surprise, and two, it’s not like this romantic side plot is of any importance to the overall musical.
But what I love about it is that it is important for Violet.
Despite being “older” and feeling like she’s not worth it, Joe steps up and takes a stand to make her see it’s ok to fall in love again.
This song seems like it heals a part of Violet that she herself didn't realize needing healing until that moment.
It’s a mature love song between two adults who are looking for love again, and that is so sweet.
Usually, I don’t care for love songs.
But this one...
It’s an adorable, gentle, sweet song that I am putting on my playlist.
4 - Shine Like the Sun
Truly an empowering number and probably the one that gets everyone up on their feet to jump, cheer, and clap.
And that’s good, because it concludes Act 1 in the show.
Despite the poison mishap, Violet, Doralee, and Judy decide to take the chance to make their workplace better with Franklin in custody (or keeping him locked up in his own home... details).
Each lady has amazing solo parts, the composition is fantastic, and the lyrics get you so hyped up especially that ending.
“When the crying's all done, When the lying's all done, When the trying's all done, There'll be nothing but sun”
Ugh, that part gives me goosebumps everytime.
Fantastic way to end an act.
3 - Around Here
Super fun song.
And what’s probably the catchiest song in the entire musical besides "9 to 5".
It’s also a great number that introduces the atmosphere of the company.
You truly feel like you are Judy trying to figure out your way around the place.
Out of all the songs this musical, this is the song that gets stuck in my head the most.
Whenever I have something important to do, this is the song that always comes to mind.
“You gotta know what to do, you gotta do it in a hurry, Gotta hustle, gotta bustle, gotta scoot, you gotta scurry, 'Cause we got no time to fool around, around here”
So. Freaky. Catchy.
Whenever I hear it, I want to start jumping and dancing.
There are a lot of fantastic empowering female songs in this musical, but sometimes, I just want a good, fun number with a nice beat to it.
2 - I Just Might
Golly, this song makes me cry, and we haven’t even gotten to number one.
I think no matter who you relate to whether its Judy, Doralee, or Violet this song speaks for a lot of women who have gone through so much pain.
The chorus speaks for everyone.
And the ending always gets me.
It’s a gorgeous number between the three leads, but that ending is so powerful when they sing together.
...
I really don’t have anything else to say.
Each of the women have their conflicts, but they hope to rise above whatever comes their way. It’s one of the songs that I think speaks for itself.
If you need a good cry, listen to this song.
Before we take a look at my favorite song from "9 to 5", let's talk about the other musical numbers!
Special Mentions
the "just there" songs
5 to 9
Roz is sent off to France so she doesn’t learn the leads’ plans, and you feel pretty bad for her in this song.
She has no clue whats going on and misses Franklin terribly so.
The switch in the title is clever and so is the tune where usually its happy is now so melancholy and sad.
Otherwise, there's not much else to say about it.
The Dance of Death
We now get into the drug induced dream with a sequence of songs between the three girls starting with Judy’s dream. Judy acts and sings completely different.
Usually she is a shy, timid, and honest girl, but now, she is suddenly a sexy, loud, and bold woman.
With ballroom style music, she messes with dream Franklin until he is terrified of her before she sends him to Doralee with the next song.
This isn’t my favorite song in the sequence and is a bit too much in my point of view.
Cowgirl's Revenge
Again not a country music loving girl, but this is a fun song.
In her dream, Doralee is getting her revenge on Franklin for all the sexist things he has done to her.
While I don’t think this revenge is morally ok, this shows how Doralee feels in an honest, comedic sort of way. She makes dream Franklin feel humiliated and scared as the real Franklin did to Doralee before sending him off to Violet.
Potion Notion
“Coffee is the best!”
Best line in the entire show. I don't even care.
Violet’s dream song is definitely my favorite. The setting is transformed into a fairytale where Violet is a princess waiting to be free from the evil cluthes of Franklin. That's taking too long so she is making a potion to stop him.
The actress changes her normally alto voice to a higher pitch princess sound that is so funny to hear especially when the animals sing with her.
The lyrics are fantastic, and she is the one to finally defeat the evil dream Franklin with her potion.
Joy to the Girls
It’s the ending song of the entire dream sequence, and it’s a bit odd to me.
It’s a rendition of the song “Joy to the World” but with the lyrics changed.
I'm guessing this is just for comedic reasons as everyone knows “Joy to the World”...
But it just felt like too much.
Honestly, the entire dream sequence felt like too much.
the villain songs
Here for You
A classic villain song with great vocals from Marc Kudisch.
Super jazzy, but the lyrics definitely give you the feeling of “ewww”.
Of course, this is what you are suppose to feel towards the villain so the writers did their job well, but it’s not a villain song that I would come back to listen to for fun.
Heart to Hart
Like “Here for You”, this song gives me "ick" vibes, but for different reasons.
While this isn’t really a villain song (i pity Roz and see her more as a brainwashed follower), this is still a song about Roz willing to do anything for a man she loves who obviously doesn’t love her back.
...
It’s a toxic thing.
While the vocals are very impressive and the entire song from start to finish is a powerhouse musical number, it again feels like way too much.
I honestly did not expect Roz to break out into a full gospel number. It didn’t feel out of a character.
It just felt like a lot.
WANT TO WATCH THE MUSICAL?
The Best Song in 9 to 5
Get Out and Stay Out
Yup, ugh, definitely cried haha.
I mean, genuinely this song did not have to go this hard.
Everytime I hear this song I just start bawling.
Judy finally stands up to her ex husband and decides to move forward in life.
I think for anyone who has been in an abusive relationship of any kind whether it's physical, emotional, mental, or spirtual with anyone this song speaks to and for them.
Personally, this song has really helped me through some very tough times in my life, and I can proudly say in confidence that, like Judy, I have taken the steps to walk away and say enough.
It felt scary, but it is so liberating once you get through it.
And this song perfectly captures those feelings of grief, hurt, anger, fear, and happiness so well.
The lyrics hit deep, and the vocal brilliant of the actress, Stephanie J. Block, is everything this song needs to be.
Dolly really nailed this number, and because of all the reasons I mentioned, that’s why it’s number one for me.
No other song is this real and raw.
In my eyes, its the stand out song of the musical.
10/10.
WANT TO WATCH?
Conclusion
And that is it!
I hope you enjoyed my list. Again, "9 to 5" is not my favorite musical of all time, but the musical numbers are some of the best I've heard in Broadway.
Fun, joyful, uplifting, and empowering.
Thanks for reading 🙂
