Anarchy In The J-O-B

Long have been the discussions about what is Punk, and when was Punk. For most, the Sex Pistols instantly spring to mind, and the image of spotty, unclean youths in late 1970s Britain, pogo-ing en masse in clubs and gobbing on one another. Spiked, multi-coloured hair and safety pins through ears and noses. Ripped denim and Sticking It To The Man.

As a musical movement - while the Sex Pistols again stand as the poster boys - general consensus will take you via The Clash, The Damned, The Ramones, Iggy and The Stooges, and T-Rex even. After all, You Won't Fool the Children of the Revolution. There will also be cases made for the inclusion of legends like Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, due to the evocation of a protest mentality so prevalent in their work.

It is a tricky one to pin down. Defined as "the defiance of social norms of behaviour," and musically involving "abusive or violent protest lyrics," Punk can be anti-establishment, anti-authoritarian, anarchic and anti-societal. It would seem, therefore, that it can come from anywhere.

As a case in point, look at the following lyric excerpts:

"I swear sometimes that man is out to get me"

"It's all takin' and no givin'

They just use your mind

And you never get the credit"

"It's a rich man's game

No matter what they call it

And you spend your life

Puttin' money in his wallet"

There are undeniable hints of anger, protest, a dissatisfaction with life as it is........a Punk Mentality, no doubt. Yet the artist behind these words, venomously spitting out her oral assault, is none other than country icon Dolly Parton, singing her 1980 #1 hit single '9 To 5'.

Let's face it, we all know the song, though that knowledge usually stretches only as far as the sing-along chorus. And that is the major point. This is Punk in its finest, a savage criticism on behalf of the common masses about Those In Charge, sitting as they do in their luxurious idleness while the workers graft away on their behalf for little or no reward.

And nobody even realises it!!

She could have changed the world, could Dolly. But that chorus was just too damn catchy.