It was written by John and his songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin and released as the first single from the album Rock of the Westies (1975).

The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 on 11 October 1975 at number 49, and reaching the top in four weeks.

If Rocket had shipped the upcoming 'Island Girl' a few days earlier, Elton would still be in the running to beat Pat Boone's all-time record of just over four years on the charts.

"[5] The song which "Island Girl" replaced at number one was "Bad Blood", by Neil Sedaka.

[6] Upon the single release, Record World said "Tropically splendid Elton and Bernie entering the RW charts at 42 this week...need we say more?