Islands In The Stream
Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton Lyrics


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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

Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication
All this love we feel needs no conversation
We ride it together, ah ha
Making love with each other, ah ha

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, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

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

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

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, ah ha
Making love with each other, ah ha

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, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

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, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

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, ah ha
From one lover to another, ah ha

Islands in the stream




That is what we are
No one in between

Overall Meaning

"Islands In The Stream" is a classic duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, which was released on August 15, 1983. The lyrics of the song revolve around the theme of love and companionship. The song starts with the singer admitting that he was soft inside when he met his significant other, and although he can't explain it, something is going on between them. The singer talks about how tender love requires dedication and that their love needs no conversation. They ride together, make love with each other and rely on each other. The chorus "Islands in the stream, that is what we are, no one in-between, how can we be wrong" gives metaphorical representation of the singer’s relationship saying that they both are like two islands surrounded by the sea, that nobody can break down, symbolizing that nothing will ever come between them.


Later in the song, the singer talks about how he can't imagine living without his love, how everything means nothing if you have no one to share it with. He talks about how they start and end as one and how they can ride it together. The singer believes that this is the real thing, and they got no doubt about it. The song ends with the chorus tweaked with some variation.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby when I met you there was peace unknown
When I first encountered you, I experienced a sense of tranquility that I never had before.


I set out to get you with a fine tooth comb
I took great care to pursue you and paid attention to every detail.


I was soft inside
I was emotionally vulnerable and easy to touch deep inside.


There was something going on
There was a special connection between us that I couldn't fully comprehend.


You do something to me that I can't explain
You have an impact on me in a way that is difficult to express in words.


Hold me closer and I feel no pain
When you embrace me, all my troubles disappear and I feel at ease.


Every beat of my heart
My heart beats with the rhythm of your presence in my life.


We got something going on
Our bond is unique and special, and there is chemistry between us that is undeniable.


Tender love is blind
When love is pure and true, it is oblivious to flaws and imperfections.


It requires a dedication
True love demands commitment and loyalty.


All this love we feel needs no conversation
Our affection is so powerful that words are unnecessary to express it.


We ride it together, ah ha
We face life and its challenges side by side, as a team.


Making love with each other, ah ha
Our physical intimacy is an expression of our deep emotional connection.


Islands in the stream
We are a secluded haven, secluded from the outside world.


That is what we are
Our intimacy is a refuge that we share exclusively with each other.


No one in between
Our love is pure and uncomplicated, with no interference from external factors.


How can we be wrong
With unconditional love, we can never make a mistake.


Sail away with me
Let us escape together to a better and brighter future.


To another world
A parallel universe where our love can thrive without hindrance.


And we rely on each other, ah ha
We lean on each other for support in times of joy and sorrow.


From one lover to another, ah ha
Our love knows no bounds and transcends beyond the physical realm.


I can't live without you if the love was gone
My existence is meaningless without your love in my life.


Everything is nothing if you got no one
Without you, my life would be insignificant and meaningless, no matter what else I possess.


And you just walk in the night
Without your presence, I would be lost and wandering aimlessly in the darkness of life.


Slowly losing sight of the real thing
Without you, I would lose sight of the true purpose and essence of life.


But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt
I have complete confidence in our love, and I know we will never face separation or disillusionment.


Too deep in love and we got no way out
We are so deeply in love that there is no chance of escape, nor do we want one.


And the message is clear
It's obvious that our love is true and genuine, and it needs no explanation.


This could be the year for the real thing
It's time to embark on a journey towards a genuine love and devotion.


No more will you cry
I promise to never let you experience sadness or pain again.


Baby I will hurt you never
I vow to protect you from any harm, and to love you forever.


We start and end as one
Our love is eternal and we are inseparable, from the beginning to the end.


In love forever
Our passion is timeless and will never die out.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@papasitomamasita

40 years later and still no one can sing it better than Kenny and Dolly. The harmony between these voices is divine.

@SarahTwin

Totally! 👍 ❤

@fencochou1535

Can’t agree with you more… I’ve learned it 4 decades ago and from then on till now I still sing along time to time… and not to forget Kenny rest in peace…

@jpssteam

Micheal Scott sings it better

@luckaluckata

Actually Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon pretty rules..

@BackToTheBlues

I must admit I much prefer the reggae version by Delroy Wilson and Jennifer Lara. It's slower paced, and the arrangement is lovely. Much nicer for a slow dance with the one you love!

9 More Replies...

@SonOfKong33

Bee Gees were such phenomenal song writers....And Kenny & Dolly are fantastic!...Takes me back to '83.

@dataracer1172

Yeah totally. Dolly Parton also deserves credit for all the massive hits she wrote. Like "I Will Always Love You," etc. Amazing song writers that I think were sorely missing today.

@victoriajohnson5461

Yes!❤

@SonOfKong33

@@puffinbilly6826 Yes....That's right.

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