And so, to close out the first day’s play, what better than the song keeping the previous two entries off the UK number one spot…
[Video][Website][Context]
[2.20]
M. H. Lo: Won’t somebody think of the children?
[1]
Doug Robertson: Who has ever sat down and thought, “You know what? I really like the Dolly and Kenny version of ‘Islands in the Stream’, but you know what would be better? A sub-karaoke version of the track that would be lucky to get even polite applause if the protagonists were doing it down my local pub on a Friday. And the only way that could be improved upon would be if Tom Jones turned up towards the end, bellowing his way through the final chorus like a wounded manatee. That would be perfect.” Well, if you’re that person then this is for you, as is this cyanide pill.
[3]
Edward Okulicz: “Islands In The Stream” is such a great song that anyone who can even vaguely carry a tune should be able to make it listenable, but here, no. I know it’s Comic Relief, but what’s wrong with a little reverence to a song’s quality and faithfulness to its tenor? It’s not a funny song!
[3]
Martin Kavka: Oh, I know, it’s impossible to slag something that benefits charity. But hasn’t anyone commented on how depressing this track is? The whole point of pop music is to sing along with it, often badly. This track, insofar as it sinks to depressing levels of badness before Tom Jones and Robin Gibb save it near the end, teaches you that only Real Pop Stars™ can make a performance good, rule the world and feed the starving children. Don’t try this at home, folks! Leave pop to the professionals! And while you’re sitting there amongst your shattered dreams, give some money to Comic Relief!
[2]
Martin Skidmore: Neither of them can really sing, though they give it their best, and I never liked this song. Tom Jones lifts the standard a bit, but he’s pretty much a comedy turn himself by now. Rubbish, obviously, but good luck with raising some money.
[2]