Alice Bag’s new album, Blueprint, is scheduled to drop on March 23, 2018. Check out the newly-released video for 77, featuring Kathleen Hanna and Allison Wolfe with special guests Seth Bogart and Shirley Manson. You might think 77 is going to be another ode to punk rock’s golden year, but it refers to the fact that women only earn 77-cents to every dollar men make.
I make 77 cents and it’s not right
it’s bad for women and worse if you’re not white
You’re head of household, so am I
It’s not just about me, I still need to provide
What could be more appropriate than a send-up of 9 to 5, a second-wave feminist comedy from 1980 when women were entering the paid workforce in droves? The film was at least partially inspired by the experiences of members of the 1973 organization, “9 to 5 National Association of Working Women.” In the movie, Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin team up to give their sexist boss, played by Dabney Coleman, his come-uppance. There is a lot of humor in Alice Bag’s video, from kitschy 80s wigs to rhythmic robotic typing reminiscent of one of the scenes in Cafe Flesh. Needless to say, though, Alice Bag brings a lot more righteous fury to the role than the rebellious hi-jinks celebrated in the film. 77 is not just a feminist anthem. It is a call to arms.
But it’s time, it’s time (Ooh, ooh, ooh), It’s time, it’s time (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
It’s time, it’s time (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Time for change
I’m gonna yell it! I’m gonna march! I’ll cast my ballot!
No, I’m not gonna settle for
77, 77, 77
