9 To 5 – English Lyrics

• By: Dolly Parton

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of American English with Dolly Parton's catchy and empowering anthem, "9 To 5." This song offers a fantastic opportunity to learn vocabulary and expressions related to daily work life and workplace challenges, all set to an upbeat tempo and clever lyrics. What makes it truly special is its origin story—Parton created the distinctive typewriter sound using her own acrylic fingernails, which is even credited as "Nails by Dolly." Beyond its unique sound, "9 To 5" became a powerful rallying cry for women's rights and workplace equality, embodying themes of perseverance and solidarity that remain relevant today.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ambition /æmˈbɪʃən/ B2	noun - a strong desire to achieve success or something
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red liquid that circulates in the body
traffic /ˈtræfɪk/ B1	noun - the movement of vehicles or people along roads or in airports
promotion /prəˈmoʊʃən/ B2	noun - the act of encouraging or supporting something to increase its success or rank
dream /driːm/ A2	noun - a series of images, ideas, or feelings that happen while sleeping verb - to imagine or hope for something that is desirable
credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ B2	noun - trust in someone's ability or truthfulness; praise given for an achievement
devotion /dɪˈvoʊʃən/ C1	noun - great dedication or loyalty to a cause or person
ladder /ˈlædər/ B1	noun - a piece of equipment for climbing up or down
boat /boʊt/ A2	noun - a small vessel used to travel on water
life /laɪf/ A2	noun - the existence of a person or thing
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method or style of doing something

Key Grammar Structures

• Tumble out of bed

  ➔ Verb phrase with preposition

  ➔ "Tumble out of" is a phrasal verb indicating to fall or drop suddenly and clumsily from a place.

• Pour myself a cup of ambition

  ➔ Reflexive pronoun + noun phrase

  ➔ The phrase uses the reflexive pronoun "myself" to indicate that the subject is performing an action for their own benefit.

• And try to come to life

  ➔ Infinitive phrase with purpose

  ➔ "Try to come to life" is an expression indicating an effort to become energetic or active.

• And the blood starts pumpin'

  ➔ Simple present tense with a gerund

  ➔ The phrase uses the simple present tense "starts" to describe an ongoing or habitual action, with "pumpin'" (pumping) as a gerund to emphasize activity.

• They just use your mind

  ➔ Simple present tense with quantifier "just"

  ➔ "Use" is in the simple present tense, indicating a habitual action, with "just" emphasizing that the action is limited or solely focused on "your mind".

• It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it

  ➔ Conditional clause with "if" and infinitive

  ➔ "It's enough to drive you crazy" is a main clause expressing a consequence, with "if you let it" as a conditional clause indicating that this consequence will happen only if the subject allows it.