Top Ten 1983 Songs: Islands in the Stream (#8)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (68222)
United States
June 23, 2023 10:37am CST
For those of you who’ve been shaking your head so much you’ve had to have your head reattached to your neck, your patience is rewarded today. The biggest hit on my list of songs that turn 40 this year is up today. So sing along as we go back to 1983.
#8: Islands in the Stream - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
What a pair!!!! 
This did surprise a couple of people when I used it on my “favorite Bee Gees songs” countdown a few years ago. Yes, The Bee Gees wrote it. While they didn’t record it in studio, it showed up on their live album.
As for the version everyone knows, I’ve frequently said that Kenny Rogers sounded more “country” when he was in the rock group. This is a good example: even Dolly Parton’s presence couldn’t “country” this up. Despite that, it did top the country charts as well as the pop charts.
Despite my criticism, I do love this song. I just never had it on my “country” playlist.
Islands in the Stream
Written by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb
Recorded by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
From Eyes That See in the Dark (Kenny Rogers album), 1983
Too deep in love:
This did surprise a couple of people when I used it on my “favorite Bee Gees songs” countdown a few years ago. Yes, The Bee Gees wrote it. While they didn’t record it in studio, it showed up on their live album.
As for the version everyone knows, I’ve frequently said that Kenny Rogers sounded more “country” when he was in the rock group. This is a good example: even Dolly Parton’s presence couldn’t “country” this up. Despite that, it did top the country charts as well as the pop charts.
Despite my criticism, I do love this song. I just never had it on my “country” playlist.
Islands in the Stream
Written by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb
Recorded by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
From Eyes That See in the Dark (Kenny Rogers album), 1983
Too deep in love:
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16 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
23 Jun 23
“Written by The Bee Gees” was my first clue. 
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92984)
• United States
23 Jun 23
@FourWalls Ha! Yes, that should have tipped us all off.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80030)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Jun 23
I have always enjoyed this song. I used to get confused if anyone spoke too fast on the radio between announcing this song and Islands by Bonnie Tyler I believe it was.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
24 Jun 23
Yes, that was a “duet” with Mike Oldfield and Bonnie Tyler.
1 person likes this
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@much2say (55686)
• Los Angeles, California
26 Jun 23
@FourWalls I should say I do like some country songs (I guess they are more like crossover pop ones though). Dolly - a treasure, yes! But Kenny why oh why did you do that to your face??
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
27 Jun 23
@much2say — some people just don’t want to age naturally. I remember meeting Ralph Emery, and I couldn’t take my eyes off those plastic surgery lines on his face!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
25 Jun 23
WHAT? You don’t like country???? 
(That’s okay, I like it enough for five people. ) Dolly’s a treasure!
(That’s okay, I like it enough for five people. ) Dolly’s a treasure!1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
25 Jun 23
I can address that “not country” a little more with tomorrow’s song.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
25 Jun 23
@FourWalls There were a number of years in the 80s when country lost its way. I credit George Straight with bringing it back. Now, it seems to have become something totally new and different - not really country like we knew it, but a vibrant style for today's younger audience.
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
25 Jun 23
@FourWalls I 100% agree with those suggestions.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
24 Jun 23
It’s the biggest hit from the year that I’m using.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
25 Jun 23
@wolfgirl569 — I agree, what’s not to like!? (Especially for the guys ) Talented, humble, and extremely generous.
) Talented, humble, and extremely generous.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35633)
•
24 Jun 23
The Gambler found a good saloon girl to sing with on this tune. 
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89980)
• Arvada, Colorado
24 Jun 23
Just beautiful..who doesn't know this song..oh yeah right
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
24 Jun 23
I think Hank Williams could’ve made it sound country.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (179011)
• United States
24 Jun 23
Yup. This is a good one. Have a great weekend.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
25 Jun 23
Having a good weekend thus far. Figured you’d like this one.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
23 Jun 23
I have as well. Even had the 45 of it way back when.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68222)
• United States
23 Jun 23
Definitely! A major hit…really, for both of them, even though it was on Kenny’s album.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
23 Jun 23
@FourWalls Yes, they both did very well with this one.
1 person likes this
