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On the evening of February 23rd, 1983, Donna Summer was attending a Grammy Awards after-party at Chasen's, the fancy and famous West Hollywood restaurant, when natured called, and she went to off the ladies room.
When she entered, she found the room attendant (Onetta Johnson) fast asleep sitting next to a TV blasting at full volume.
Donna's first reaction was to wake her up. Her second reaction was to stop short and let her sleep, thinking the poor woman needed the rest because she obviously worked hard for the money--stuck in a stinky little room all night.
Donna's third reaction was: "She Works Hard for the Money! is a GREAT song title!"
The next day, Donna took the title to her producer, Michael Omartian, and together they worked out the words and music.
They recorded it for Donna's 11th studio album, and they liked the end result so much, they named the album "She Works Hard for the Money" and released the song as the first single.
(Trivia: The song mentions Onetta by name, and the back cover of the album included a picture of Donna and Onetta dressed as waitresses!)
The song was incredibly danceable at 138 beats per minute and quickly charted in 17 countries, including the US, where it appeared
on 3 Billboard charts: Black Singles (#1), The Hot 100 (#3), and the Dance Club Chart (#3).
And then, circling back to the Grammy Awards, In 1984, Donna was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and performed the song live to open the show!
"She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer...inspired by a trip the the ladies room...and a Great Song of 1983!
Tomorrow: Sucking up has never been so successful.
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