Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s ‘Islands in the Stream’ Almost Didn’t Happen

"Islands in the Stream" is one of the most beloved songs in country music, but what if the song had never gotten the chance to become a hit?

Written by Sydney Smith
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s ‘Islands in the Stream’ Almost Didn’t Happen
Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers; Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

In 1983, two of country’s biggest stars teamed up for a duet that would take music by storm. Topping CMT’s list of the 100 Greatest Duets in country music, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream” remains as one of the most beloved country songs, even after 34 years.

In preparation for his upcoming farewell concert, Rogers doted on his decades long friendship with Parton and shared the backstory behind “Islands in the Stream” with PEOPLE.

“I take great pride in that we have a very warm, sweet friendship that we’ve had for 30 years,” Rogers told the publication.

Little do fans know is that their long-term friendship and iconic duet almost never came to be.

Rogers was working on new music produced by the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb. Gibb had written ‘Islands in the Stream’ with his brothers and fellow band members–Robin and Maurice Gibb—and gave it to Rogers to record. Rogers was set to start working on the track, but something about it did not click with him. He nearly nixed it from his album.

“I had been singing it for four days, and I finally said, ‘Barry, I don’t even like this song anymore,’” Rogers confessed.

Luckily, Gibb had an idea that ended up changing the song’s future.

“[Gibb] said, ‘You know what? We need Dolly Parton.’ I had a recording studio at the time, and she was downstairs. My manager, Ken Kragen, said, ‘I just saw her!’ I said, ‘Well go get her!’” Rogers explained. “He went downstairs. She came marching into the room. Once she came in and started singing, the song was never the same. It took on a personality of its own.”

“Islands in the Stream” instantly became a fan favorite. As if country music success was not enough for the song, it made its way up to the top of the Billboard Top 100 all-genre chart, a feat that was not replicated by a country act until Lonestar’s “Amazed” in 2000.

Rogers and Parton will team up one last time at ‘All In for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration,’ marking the singing partners’ last performance of “Islands in the Stream.” Featuring a star-studded lineup with acts such as Reba McEntireChris Stapleton, and Lady Antebellum, the show will take place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, October 25, at 7 p.m. CT.