People may be more familiar with the mega-hit version by Dolly Parton and Kenny Roger’s of this song, but I have always had a penchant for this one by the Bee Gees in Las Vegas. They wrote the original song and the harmonies are fantastic. This is one of the most played live concert-dvds in our household. The Bee Gees wrote a lot of songs which became hits for other artists including the following:
- “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Al Green (1972)
- “Grease,” Frankie Valli (1978)
- “Emotion,” Samantha Sang (1978)
- “Hold On to My Love,” Jimmy Ruffin (1980)
- “Woman in Love,” Barbra Streisand (1980)
- “Heartbreaker,” Dionne Warwick (1982)
- “Chain Reaction” Diana Ross, and
- “Islands in the Stream,” Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (1983)
Baby, when I met you, there was peace unknown
I set out to get you with a fine-tooth comb
I was soft inside
There was something going on
You do something to me that I can’t explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on
Islands in the Stream is named after an Ernest Hemingway novel and was released in August 1983 as the first single from Kenny Rogers’s album Eyes That See in the Dark. The song was originally written for Diana Ross in an R&B style but later reworked for the duet by Rogers and Parton. The song reached number one on the Billboard chart in the United States (knocking Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” out of No. 1), giving both Rogers and Parton their second pop number-one hit (after Rogers’s “Lady” in 1980 and Parton’s “9 to 5” in 1981).
Reference:
1. Islands in the Stream (song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
They were diverse in their music…I liked that. I especially like their early period.
They initially hit the big time in Brisbane Australia as kids. There is a great video on you tube of one of the earliest performances in Brisbane. For that reason we like to say the Bee Gees are really Aussies haha.
There is no disputing their talent and dedication. One of the greatest (if not the best) mainstream pop bands of all time.
Now that IS the earlier period lol
It’s a goodie isn’t it. Tomorrow is coming out a ‘War on Drugs’ song. Jeff recommended another song from them – ‘Pain’. Do yourself a favour and listen to that classic if you haven’t already. By golly what a song! Cheers.
I loved it….I will check it out Matt.
I sure hope you like it Max. Cheers.
Hi Matt, now you’re talking! I grew up in the Bee Gees era. Love them and their music. Great songwriters and performers. Only Barry left, very sadly. If I could write half the songs for the stars they wrote for, I would be a happy camper! Great post. All the best. Sharon
Hi Sharon, I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. Thanks for sharing your adoration of the Bee Gees.
Thanks Matt, for your very kind wishes! Words and thoughts are very powerful and I’m feelng better because of yours! All the very best, Sharon x
That is lovely of you to say Sharon. Thank you.