Jimmy Fallon is remembering Dolly Parton following her death, revisiting one of their memorable musical moments on The Tonight Show that now carries an especially emotional meaning.
Parton made several appearances on Fallon’s show throughout the years, but their musical chemistry was particularly memorable during her final Tonight Show appearance in 2022.
During that appearance, Fallon and Parton joined together for a playful rendition of her iconic hit “9 to 5,” creating one of those spontaneous television moments that showed exactly why audiences loved Dolly.
The performance was filled with Parton’s trademark humor and charm, but there was also a fascinating detail hiding in the song itself—one involving the long acrylic nails that had become part of her signature look.
Parton explained that she had used her acrylic nails as a rhythm instrument while writing “9 to 5.” The clicking sound reminded her of a typewriter, which perfectly matched the working-world theme of the song.
She later incorporated that distinctive sound into the recording itself. The album credits even included the playful notation “Nails by Dolly,” giving her unusual contribution a permanent place in the song’s history.
That revelation made the duet with Fallon even more entertaining. What appeared to be a simple musical gesture was actually connected to one of the creative ideas that helped shape one of Parton’s most recognizable songs.
Fallon’s tribute following Parton’s death reflected how much he appreciated her personality as well as her talent. He remembered her as a phenomenal guest who had a remarkable ability to make the people around her feel special.
Looking back at the “9 to 5” duet now, fans are seeing another side of Parton’s legacy: her ability to turn something as ordinary as her own fingernails into part of the creative process behind a hit song.
The moment ultimately captures something quintessentially Dolly. Even on a late-night television stage, she could make audiences laugh, sing along and discover another unexpected story behind the music they thought they already knew.
Compiled from various sources.
