So palpable was the chemistry between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton on their 1983 hit “Islands in the Stream” that many fans refused to believe they weren’t romantically involved. While their relationship always remained strictly platonic, the two clearly shared a mutual love and admiration for one another that translated into chart success more often than not. On this day (August 24) in 1985, they sat atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with “Real Love” — their second number-one hit as a duo.
“Real Love” hit country radio in April 1985 as the second single and title track off Parton’s 27th solo album of the same name.
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A joyous ode to “real love, not infatuation,” it became the duo’s second country chart-topper after the 1983 classic “Islands in the Stream”.
However, its success on the pop charts didn’t match that of its predecessor. “Real Love” only managed to climb to number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it did reach number 13 on the adult contemporary chart.
Parton later recorded a solo version in November 1984, which she included on her 1995 album I Will Always Love You: The Essential Dolly Parton One.
The Real Story of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
So, what exactly was the relationship between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton?
The two were at their respective solo peaks when they met in the studio to record “Islands in the Stream”. The song shot to number one on both the country and pop charts, giving each artist their second pop chart-topper.
(Rogers achieved this milestone with “Lady” in 1980, and Parton did the same with the following year’s “9 to 5”.)
Slowly, the two developed a close friendship, bonding over their similar upbringings. Rogers grew up poor in a Houston housing project. Parton grew up poor in a one-room cabin in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains.
“We understood that world, and how much we wanted things,” Parton said.
The two would face questions about potential romance throughout their time recording and touring together. As Parton once joked, “We didn’t have time!”
Added Rogers, “I said [in an earlier interview] we may have been tempted but we didn’t want to ruin a good friendship. I think it would have.”
They both also had no shortage of romance in their own lives. Parton was married to husband Carl Dean for nearly 60 years until his death at age 82 in March 2025.
“And he’s been married about 40 times! I couldn’t catch him between wives!” said the “Jolene” singer.
(For the record, it was only five.)
Featured image by PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images
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