In a year already packed with headline moments, it was a stripped-down acoustic surprise that stopped thousands of fans cold.
On February 6, 2026, during the opening night of her Whirlwind World Tour in Auckland, Lainey Wilson stepped into a single spotlight and unveiled a previously unheard track titled “Can’t Sit Still.” No pyrotechnics. No arena theatrics. Just Wilson, a guitar, and three minutes that instantly sent critics reaching for a comparison no country artist takes lightly: “9 to 5.”
The parallels were immediate.
Released in 1980, Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” became the definitive blue-collar anthem—an energetic, sharply observed tribute to working women hustling through endless routines. Wilson’s new track channels a similar urgency, but through the lens of 2026. Instead of office cubicles, the chaos is tour buses, red carpets, and relentless career momentum. Yet the emotional core remains the same: exhaustion, ambition, grit.
A Modern Working Woman’s Anthem
“Can’t Sit Still” captures the breathless rhythm of a woman chasing dreams without pause. Early reviews from the tour opener described the song as a “spiritual successor” to Parton’s biggest hit—not a remake, not a sample, but a thematic evolution.
Wilson’s lyrics reportedly lean into the “mile-a-minute” pace of her rise, balancing gratitude with the cost of constant motion. It’s a narrative she’s lived. From Louisiana songwriter to CMA Entertainer of the Year, her ascent has mirrored the very whirlwind she now sings about.
The timing feels almost poetic. Nashville media outlets have spent this week spotlighting the enduring legacy of Dolly Parton’s songwriting catalog, and Wilson—long vocal about her admiration—has never hidden her debt to the icon. In 2021, she released “WWDD” (“What Would Dolly Do?”), effectively declaring her mentorship in song form.
Now, she appears to be answering that question.
Not Imitation—Continuation
What makes “Can’t Sit Still” compelling isn’t nostalgia—it’s perspective. Parton’s anthem focused on the everyday grind of the American workplace. Wilson’s version updates the struggle for a generation navigating fame, digital pressure, and nonstop visibility. The pulse is similar; the setting has changed.
Industry insiders suggest the track could anchor her upcoming Netflix documentary, reportedly titled Keepin’ Country Cool, set for release later this year. If so, the song may become more than a tour highlight—it could serve as the thesis statement of her current era.
Carrying the Torch
Wilson has repeatedly credited Parton, along with artists like Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire, for “pouring into” her career. But homage only goes so far. At some point, the student must step forward.
By debuting “Can’t Sit Still” just as attention turns back to Dolly’s legacy, Wilson positions herself not as a replica—but as a continuation. The working woman’s anthem didn’t end in 1980. It evolved.
And in that quiet acoustic moment in Auckland, country music witnessed something rare: not just a nod to history, but a reminder that its spirit is still very much alive—three minutes at a time.