Analysis

Working Girl

Dolly Parton · Parton: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

16+
Verdict
Listen first

Sustained sexual innuendo, sex work euphemism

Detailed Analysis

On the surface, this song celebrates the multifaceted working woman. However, 'working girl' is a well-established euphemism for a sex worker, and multiple lyrical elements reinforce this double meaning: seductive dress (push-up bra, five-inch heels, perfume), 'so many faces,' 'so many names,' 'so many places,' dressing in 'uniform' for 'the job she must perform,' and being 'brought to her knees.' These sustained double entendres constitute mild-to-moderate sexual innuendo throughout the song, warranting parental guidance for younger listeners.

Themes

sexual innuendo

female empowerment

double entendre

work identity

fashion

independence

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Lyrics

Some men find her sexy, some men disagree But if she's not, it's not because she doesn't want to be She wears a push-up bra from Freddericks, five inch high heel shoes Maybelline and Rubinstein, and Avon's best perfume She's a working girl She's a working girl, she is single and free She's a mother and wife and she's proud to be A working girl Some find her to aggressive, she don't know how to stop 'Cause she's the kind that don't look down until it's from the top She's elegant and stylish, French perfume and a fur Designer clothes by Halston and Diane Von Furstenburg And she's a working girl She's a working girl, she is single and free She's a mother and wife and she's proud to be A working girl She has taken her place among the tallest of trees But she weeps like a willow when she's brought to her knees 'Cause she's a working girl You'll find her dressed according to standard uniform 'Cause she must dress in comfort for the job she must perform She has so many faces, she wears so many names She goes so many places and she does so many things 'Cause she's a working girl She's a working girl, she is single and free She's a mother and wife and she's proud to be A working girl She's a working girl, she is single and free She's a mother and wife and she's proud to be A working girl She's a working girl, she is single and free She's a mother and wife and she's proud to be A working girl


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Analysis performed on October 8, 2026