The song reached number … It was covered by Lorna Grant, Midnite String Quartet, Joana Zimmer, Jimmie Diesel & The Last Exit and other artists. Named after the Ernest Hemingway novel, it was originally written for Marvin Gaye in an R&B style, only later to be changed for the Kenny Rogers album. It was released in August 1983 as the first single from Rogers's album Eyes That See in the Dark. The song Islands in the Stream was written by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb and was first recorded and released by Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton in 1983. "Islands in the Stream" is a song written by the Bee Gees and sung by American country music artists Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.