Dolly Parton, who died at 78, wrote the 1980 song “9 to 5” after noticing the tapping of her acrylic nails on a set where a guitar was not allowed; she sang the tune to co‑stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who recalled feeling goosebumps. The song reached number one on the U.S. charts, earned an Oscar nomination for best original song, and has been cited as an anthem for workplace equity. Parton first gained national exposure in 1967 as a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show, a television program that aired to millions of viewers each week. While with Wagoner she recorded 21 duet hits, then left to pursue a solo career, writing “I Will Always Love You” as an apology to her former mentor. In 1979 Wagoner sued her for breach of contract, claiming $3 million; Parton settled for about $1 million, retaining the publishing rights. After the song topped country charts, Elvis Presley expressed interest in recording it; his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half of the publishing rights, leading Parton to decline and keep full ownership. When Whitney Houston recorded a version for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992, Parton earned enough to purchase Graceland and later used the money to fund scholarships in a Nashville black neighborhood. Her catalog includes “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “All I Can Do,” songs that address personal hardship, gender double standards, and personal relationships. Parton has supported education through scholarships and donated more than 200 million books to children. She has been recognized for maintaining artistic control and for using her platform to advocate for workers’ rights, a stance reflected in her continued public statements about ownership of her music. Swift’s decision to re‑record her master recordings has been noted as an echo of Parton’s approach to protecting her work.