Throwing back to the week of October 29, 1983, we find Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton topping the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Islands in the Stream.’ The duet spent two weeks at #1, and gave each of the country legends their second chart-topper on the Hot 100. (Bonus points to any commenter who can name the previous #1 for one or both artists).
‘Islands in the Stream’ was written by the Bee Gees as an R&B song but it got a pop country makeover when it landed with Rogers and Parton. The song was released on Rogers’ album Eyes That See in the Dark, on which every track was written by Barry Gibb (most with brother Maurice).
If you’re curious what a Bee Gees version of ‘Islands in the Stream’ would sound like, you needn’t wonder. The band released their own studio version in 2001.
Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you, with a fine toothcomb
I was soft inside
There was something going on
[Verse 2: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton]
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
[Pre-Chorus 1: Kenny Rogers, Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication
All this love we feel needs no conversation
We ride it together, huhn huh
Making love with each other, huhn hah
[Chorus: Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, huhn hah
From one lover to another, huhn hah
[Verse 3: Dolly Parton]
I can’t live without you if the love was gone
Everything is nothing if you got no one
And you just walk in the night
Slowly losing sight of the real thing
[Verse 4: Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
But that won’t happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear
This could be the year for the real thing
[Pre-Chorus 2: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
No more will you cry
Baby, I will hurt you never
We start and end as one
In love forever
We can ride it together, huhn hah
Making love with each other, huhn hah
[Chorus: Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, huhn hah
From one lover to another, huhn hah
[Interlude: Kenny Rodgers, Dolly Parton]
Sail away
Oh, come sail away with me
[Chorus: Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton]
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, huhn hah
From one lover to another, huhn hah
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, huhn hah
From one lover to another, huhn hah
Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’ll guess “The Gambler” by Rogers and “9 to 5” by Parton.
I love this song and played it on repeat when it was first released. Meanwhile, we’ve spent the morning listening to the many #1 hits (Lucille, Joshua, Here I Go Again), along with The Bee Gees lesser version of Islands, so thanks for a lovely start to our Saturday morning.
Our family’s collective guesses were shared by Dana above. We’re curious to learn which charts you’re consulting to answer this trivia question.
The answer is ‘Lady’ for Rogers and ‘9 to 5’ for Parton. Billboard.com is my go-to source.