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Song of the Day #6,650: ‘Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That’ – Dolly Parton

Following 9 to 5, the rest of Dolly Parton’s 80s output was a mixed bag. She released a well-received country album (1982’s Heartbreak Express), a pop/country crossover (1983’s Burlap & Satin) and an album of synth-pop covers (1984’s The Great Pretender).

Real Love (1985) and Rainbow (1987) chased the era’s production trends with little success, trying to shoehorn Parton into a pop formula that was only occasionally successful. The failure of Rainbow, in particular, pushed her back toward her country comfort zone.

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Song of the Day #6,649: ‘What a Heartache’ – Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton kicked off a side career as a movie actress in 1980’s 9 to 5 and went on to appear in seven more films over the next few decades.

The best of those was 1989’s Steel Magnolias, a sad, funny, Southern melodrama in which Parton more than holds her own opposite a cast of legends.

In between those two major successes came two troubled productions — 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and 1984’s Rhinestone.

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Song of the Day #6,648: ‘9 to 5’ – Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton kicked off the 80s with one of her worst-received albums. Titled Dolly Dolly Dolly, it was another slickly produced country pop album, and the first in her career to not include a single one of her own compositions.

The slump wouldn’t last long. Dolly Dolly Dolly came out in April of 1980, and in November of the same year she dropped one of her most successful releases yet. The awkwardly titled 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs was timed to capitalize on the December release of 9 to 5, a workplace comedy starring Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin.

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Song of the Day #6,647: ‘Star of the Show’ – Dolly Parton

Returning to my Shallow Dive of Dolly Parton’s career, I’ve arrived at her final album of the 70s, titled Great Balls of Fire.

It was a truly epic decade for Parton, who released 17 solo studio albums and nine more with Porter Wagoner. That’s an entire career for most musicians.

The 70s saw Dolly go from an understated singer of sweetly modest country songs to a massive star dabbling in pop and embracing the disco trend. I definitely prefer the former, but it’s fascinating to see how her career evolved.

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Song of the Day #6,646: ’96 Tears’ – ? and the Mysterians

Two repeats topped the Billboard Hot 100 the week of October 4, 1966: ‘Cherish‘ by The Association, and ‘Reach Out I’ll Be There‘ by The Four Tops.

In the third spot, on its way to a single week at #1 later in the month, was ’96 Tears’ by ? and the Mysterians (pronounced “Question Mark and the Mysterians,” with lead singer Rudy Martinez beating Prince by a few decades to the “my name is a symbol” thing).

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