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45 single, Side A. ​RCA (PB-12282) (1981)
Image credit: allan0318 at 45cat.com
"The House of the Rising Sun" / "Working Girl"is a double A-side single by Dolly Parton. It was released on August 3, 1981, by RCA Records as the third and fourth single from the 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album. "The House of the Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song and has been recorded by numerous artists. The most successful version was by the Animals, who had a number one Billboard Hot 100 hit with it in 1964. Dolly's version peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Track listing

Side A
  • The House of the Rising Sun (Traditional, arr. by Dolly Parton, Mike Post) 3:57
Side B
  • Working Girl (Dolly Parton) 3:15

Recording

​Both sides of the single were recorded at Audio Media in Nashville, Tennessee.

Audio

Critical reception

"Working Girl" was reviewed in the August 15, 1981 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "A hard-edged rock mix, chisel sharp electric guitars, and hot-flash synthesizers bear out this song's lyrics about the plight of today's working women. The arrangement is a scorcher, the message frank, and the appeal is targeted at pop and country." Billboard reviewed "The House of the Rising Sun" the following week. The review read, "Parton makes you almost forget the Animals' arrangement of this classic blues number. Her treatment is more upbeat, more optimistic, and the instrumentation and background vocals are vibrant."

Cashbox reviewed "The House of the Rising Sun" in the August 29, 1981 issue. It said, "It's afar cry from Eric Burdon and The Animals or more traditional blues versions of this tune, but Dolly's synthesized strut could turn out to be a left field pop hit. Co-arranger/producer Mike Post adds an Alan Parsons-styled sound to the proceedings."
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Billboard review, August 15, 1981.
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Billboard review, August 22, 1981.
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Cashbox review, August 29, 1981.

Commercial performance

"The House of the Rising Sun" debuted at number 65 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This was the only appearance of "Working Girl" on any chart, as it was listed as the flip-side of "House". "The House of the Rising Sun" would be listed singularly for the remainder of its chart run. It eventually peaked at number 14 on the chart dated October 21, its tenth week on the chart. It charted for 13 weeks. It peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also peaked at number 17 on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number 20 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs liner notes.
"The House of the Rising Sun"
  • Anita Ball – background vocals
  • Eddie Bayers – drums
  • Larry Carlton – guitars
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • John Goux – slide guitar
  • Joe McGuffee – steel guitar
  • Ron Oates – keyboards
  • Sonny Osborne – banjo
  • Doug Parry – mixing
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Mike Post – producer
  • Mike Reese – mastering
  • Rick Romano – mixing assistant
  • Joey Scarbury – background vocals
  • Leland Sklar – bass
  • Ian Underwood – synthesizer
  • Reggie Young – guitars
"Working Girl"
  • ​Anita Ball – background vocals
  • Eddie Bayers – drums
  • Larry Carlton – guitars
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Drill Team:
    • Eddie Bayers, Judy Ogle, Dolly Parton, Mike Post, Leland Sklar, Eddie Young
  • Joe McGuffee – steel guitar
  • Ron Oates – keyboards
  • Sonny Osborne – banjo
  • Doug Parry – mixing
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Mike Post – producer
  • Mike Reese – mastering
  • Rick Romano – mixing assistant
  • Joey Scarbury – background vocals
  • Leland Sklar – bass
  • Ian Underwood – synthesizer
  • Reggie Young – guitars

Alternate artwork

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Germany 45 single, picture sleeve. RCA Victor (PB 2282) (1981)
Image credit: Lovinda at 45cat.com