Islands (Mike Oldfield song)

1987 single by Mike Oldfield featuring Bonnie Tyler From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Islands" is a song by English musician Mike Oldfield, featuring Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler on vocals. It features on Oldfield's 1987 album of the same name. It was written by Oldfield, who co-produced the track with Tom Newman and Alan Shacklock. The track was released as a single in September 1987 by Virgin Records.

Released7 September 1987 (1987-09-07)[1]
GenrePop rock
Length5:35 (album version)
4:20 (single version)
LabelVirgin
Quick facts from the album, Released ...
"Islands"
Single by Mike Oldfield featuring Bonnie Tyler
from the album Islands
Released7 September 1987 (1987-09-07)[1]
GenrePop rock
Length5:35 (album version)
4:20 (single version)
LabelVirgin
SongwriterMike Oldfield
Producers
Mike Oldfield singles chronology
"In High Places"
(1987)		 "Islands"
(1987)		 "The Time Has Come"
(1987)
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Writing and recording

English musician Mike Oldfield described "Islands" as "the high spot" of its parent album. In early 1987, he left his partner and children, and had moved to Megève in France. Oldfield wrote "Islands" during that time, while feeling "lonely, isolated and cut off". After struggling with the vocals, he invited Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler to record it, describing her performance as "spine-tingling, exactly the way it was supposed to be".[2]

Critical reception

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Mike DeGagne opined that Tyler's vocal "lifts the title track higher than any other cut [on the album]".[3]

Formats and track listings

  • UK 7-inch single[4]
  1. "Islands" (featuring Bonnie Tyler) – 4:18
  2. "The Wind Chimes" (Part One) – 2:24
  • UK 12-inch single[5]
  1. "Islands" (featuring Bonnie Tyler) – 5:35
  2. "When the Nights on Fire" (featuring Anita Hegerland) – 6:42
  3. "The Wind Chimes" (Part One) – 2:24

Charts

More information Chart (1987), Peak position ...
Chart (1987) Peak
position
Spain (AFYVE)[6] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[7]22
UK Singles (OCC)[8]100
West Germany (GfK Entertainment Charts)[9] 41
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Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of the Islands album.[10]

Recording

  • Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound Recorders

Management

  • Published by Oldfield Music Ltd. and Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd.
  • Bonnie Tyler appears courtesy of CBS Records

Personnel

References

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