Cynthia Weil, the iconic lyricist who wrote the famous song “9 to 5”, died at age 82, according to the acclaimed singer behind the classic song “9 To 5”.
Weil’s contributions to the music industry included timeless hits like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “On Broadway,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” and many more.
Among Weil’s numerous songs was the country-pop single “Here You Come Again,” which helped propel Dolly Parton to mainstream fame in 1977.
The song was her first massive crossover hit, grabbing the hearts of listeners from all musical backgrounds.
After learning of Weil’s death, the singer rushed to social media to pay tribute to the late lyricist, praising her lifetime dedication to her work and expressing profound thanks. She expressed her sincere sorrow in a moving statement, adding, “I was truly devastated to learn of Cynthia Weil’s passing.”
She was a phenomenal lyricist, one of the greatest in history, and I will be eternally grateful to her and her collaborator Barry Mann for writing my first million-selling song, ‘Here You Come Again.’”
Weil and her husband, long-time songwriting partner Barry Mann, penned the song in 1975 as a comeback song for Brenda Lee. However, things changed when Brenda Lee tragically died, resulting in the serendipitous handing of the torch to Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton had already established a name in the country music community with classics such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.”
She had, however, received little mainstream attention. “Here You Come Again” was a watershed moment in her career, spending more than a month at the top of the American country charts and making the Billboard Hot 100 top ten. Dolly converted the song into a genre-bending fusion with the help of her producers, appealing to a broader audience.
Dolly Parton’s massive success with the song earned her her first Grammy Award in 1978 for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female. As a result, the album of the same name was a huge success.
In closing, the singer stated, “I have always been and will forever be grateful to her.” Everybody who loved Cynthia Weil will feel her absence keenly, but many fans will carry on her extraordinary musical legacy.
Along with her chart-topping singles “9 To 5” and the legendary Kenny Rogers collaboration “Islands in the Stream,” “Here You Come Again” is one of Dolly Parton’s only three mainstream American music chart entries.
Jenn Mann, Weil’s daughter, shared beautiful recollections of her mother with TMZ, calling her the ideal of an excellent mother, grandma, and wife.
She referred to her as her confidante, crime-fighting buddy, idol, and a forerunner for female musicians.
Mann’s social media pays respect to her mother’s remarkable Grammy award-winning lyrics, which touched the hearts and souls of millions worldwide, cementing Weil as one of the twentieth century’s most renowned composers.
Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil’s devoted husband and soulmate, with whom she collaborated on numerous classic compositions, is still alive.
Her devoted daughter, Dr. Jenn Mann, her fiancé, Eric Schiffer, and her granddaughters, Quin and Mendez, survive her. The impact of Cynthia Weil’s words will endure in the hearts of those who heard them.
