Enya was born into a musical family. Her father, Leo Brennan, was the leader of the Slieve Foy Band, a popular Irish show band; her mother was an amateur musician. Most important to Enya's career were her siblings, who formed Clannad in 1976 with several of their uncles. Enya joined the band as a keyboardist in 1979, and contributed to several of the group's popular television soundtracks. In 1982, she left Clannad, claiming that she was uninterested in following the pop direction the group had begun to pursue. Within a few years she was commissioned, along with producer/arranger Nicky Ryan and lyricist Roma Ryan, to provide the score for a BBC-TV series called The Celts. The soundtrack was released in 1986 as her eponymous solo album.
Enya didn't receive much notice, but Enya and the Ryans' second effort, Watermark, became a surprise hit upon its release in 1988. "Orinoco Flow," the first single, became a number one hit in Britain, helping the album eventually sell eight million copies worldwide. Enya spent the years following the success of Watermark rather quietly; her most notable appearance was a cameo on Sinéad O'Connor's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. She finally released Shepherd Moons, her follow-up to Watermark, in 1991. Shepherd Moons was even more successful than its predecessor, eventually selling over ten million copies worldwide; it entered the U.S. charts at number 17 and remained in the Top 200 for almost four years.
Again, Enya was slow to follow up on the success of Shepherd Moons, spending nearly four years working on her fourth album. The record, entitled Memory of Trees, was released in December of 1995. Memory of Trees entered the U.S. charts at number nine and sold over two million copies within its first year of release. In 1997 came the release of a greatest-hits collection, Paint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya, which featured two new songs. Enya's first album of new material in five years, A Day Without Rain, was released in late 2000. In 2001, she contributed material to the first film in Peter Jackson's award-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, scoring a hit with the single "May It Be." Amarantine, her first full-length recording since Day Without Rain, followed in November of 2005, and has so far sold nearly five million copies.
(Much of the above content of this biography has been taken from http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0ifoxqe5ldhe~T1.)
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, her song "Only Time" (from A Day Without Rain) was used as a backdrop in many radio and TV reports about the attacks. She initially frowned upon this use, especially when many bootlegged versions of Only Time mixed with sound effects from the attack began to appear.
Enya eventually agreed to release a special edition of the song with funds going to the families of victims. Many Enya fans, however, are resentful that her music has been linked with the attacks; an example of this occurred on a 2002 appearance on CNN's Larry King Live when images of battle in Afghanistan were shown on screen as she performed "May It Be", a song with little war connection. This sparked some complaints within Enya's fan community.
Enya is admittedly a slow worker when it comes to composing music. As a result, fans have had to wait as long as five years between albums. In September 2004, a new song, set to words from a Japanese poem Roma Ryan had written and called "Sumiregusa" ("Wild Violet") was unveiled in Japan as part of an advertising campaign for Panasonic. In announcing the new recording, Warner Music Japan stated that Enya's next album was scheduled for release (in Japan at least) in mid-November. Enya issued a press release on her official Web site on 19 September stating that this was a mistake and no new album was immediately forthcoming.
Enya was awarded the World's Best-Selling Irish Act award at the World Music Awards in London on 19 November 2006. On February 11, 2007 Amarantine won Enya her fourth Grammy when it was awarded the Best New Age Album award.
Recent Releases
In November of 2005, a new album, entitled Amarantine, was released. It won the Grammy Award for Best New Age Album for 2007.
In 2006, Enya released several Christmas-themed CDs with newly recorded material. On October 10, 2006, Sounds of the Season was released containing six songs: the previously released "Oíche Chiúin" (a.k.a. "Silent Night") and "Amid the Falling Snow", new recordings of the standards "Adeste Fideles" (a.k.a. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful") and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as well as two original songs, "Christmas Secrets" and "The Magic of the Night". This CD was released only in the United States in an exclusive partnership with the NBC television network and the Target department store chain.
In later November two new editions of Amarantine were released. In North America, it was reissued as Amarantine - Special Christmas Edition with a second disc containing the four new Christmas songs previously issued on Sounds of the Season (the original album already had "Amid the Falling Snow" while "Oíche Chiúin" is a recording dating back to 1988 which had already been featured on numerous collections). The UK received a deluxe version of this release (Amarantine - The UK Special Edition) which also included three postcards and a copy of Roma Ryan's book Water Shows the Hidden Heart which is referenced on the original album. Canadian fans could choose from the Special Christmas Edition of Amarantine, or an EP entitled Christmas Secrets which only contained the four new songs.
Coinciding with these releases was the relaunch of Enya's official website on Nov. 2, 2006. On November 16, 2006 Enya mentioned on ITV1's that she is working on a new album. A month later, in a Japanese interview Enya said that the album will be a complete Christmas album and it will be released in the winter of 2007. There is no schedule for the release date itself.
Enya's album, "And Winter Came", was released in November 2008. It contains twelve tracks - ten brand new songs plus a newly recorded choral rendering of Oiche Chiuin (Silent Night) and a stunning version of the traditional Christmas hymn 'O come, o come Emmanuel'
Only If
Enya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When there is love, then you look for the one.
And for the promises, there is the sky.
And for the heavens are those who can fly.
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Da da da da, da da da da da.
Da da da da, da da da da da,
Da da da da.
When there's a journey, you follow a star.
When there's an ocean, you sail from afar.
And for the broken heart, there is the sky.
And for tomorrow are those who can fly.
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
Da da da da, da da da da da.
Da da da da, da da da da da,
Da da da da.
Ooh go doe bay mwa.
Ooh go doe bay mwa.
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
Ah! Je voudrai voler comme un oiseau d'aile
Ah! Je voudrai voler comme un oiseau d'aile,
D'aile
Ooh go doe bay mwa.
Ooh go doe bay mwa.
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
The lyrics of Enya's song "Only If…" speak of the power of love, determination, and the limitless potential of human beings. The first verse compares following the sun in the midst of shadows to seeking out love in life. The second line calls attention to the search for a soulmate, encouraging listeners not to settle for less than someone who genuinely cares about them. The third line draws attention to the beauty of the sky and the promise of something better, while the fourth talks about those who have the ability to rise above their current circumstances and live their dreams.
The second verse asks the listener to seek out their purpose in life by following a star and sailing across oceans. It speaks of pain, and the healing power of hope, which is further emphasized when Enya sings that "for tomorrow are those who can fly". The chorus repeats a message of empowerment, with the lyrics encouraging the listener to seek out their goals and desires.
Overall, "Only If…" is a song that inspires hope and encourages people to follow their dreams. Its message is one of empowerment, and it emphasizes the importance of perseverance and self-belief.
Line by Line Meaning
When there's a shadow, you follow the sun.
If there is darkness or trouble, seek out positivity and hope.
When there is love, then you look for the one.
In the presence of love, there is an innate desire to find a companion.
And for the promises, there is the sky.
Promises are lofty, like the sky, and require effort to achieve.
And for the heavens are those who can fly.
Only those who break free from limitations can reach their full potential.
If you really want to, you can hear me say Only if you want to will you find a way.
Motivation is key in achieving success, it starts with your desire to succeed.
If you really want to you can seize the day.
If you are driven and motivated, you can take advantage of opportunities presented.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
You will only be set free if you are willing to put in the effort.
When there's a journey, you follow a star.
When on a mission or adventure, there must be a guiding light.
When there's an ocean, you sail from afar.
To overcome vast challenges, one may have to travel great distances.
And for the broken heart, there is the sky.
The sky can provide solace and peace for those experiencing heartbreak.
And for tomorrow are those who can fly.
Those who pursue their goals with dedication and passion are the ones who will soar and succeed.
Ooh go doe bay mwa.
Unknown meaning, likely expresses emotions or sounds.
Ah! Je voudrai voler comme un oiseau d'aile
French for 'I want to fly like a bird with wings.'
If you really want to, you can hear me say Only if you want to will you find a way.
Reiteration of the message that success requires desire and effort.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
Encouragement to pursue your dreams and goals with fervor.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EITHNE NI BHRAONAIN, NICKY RYAN, ROMA RYAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marvelous Meg
When there's a shadow, you reach for the sun
When there is love, then you look for the one
And for the promises, there is the sky
And for the heavens are those who can fly
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to, will you find a way
If you really want to, you can seize the day
Only if you want to, will you fly away
When there's a journey, you follow a star
When there's an ocean, you sail from afar
And for the broken heart, there is the sky
And for tomorrow are those who can fly
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to, will you find a way
If you really want to, you can seize the day
Only if you want to, will you fly away?
Ooh, go doe bay mwa
Ooh, go doe bay mwa
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to, will you find a way
If you really want to, you can seize the day
Only if you want to, will you fly away
Ahh
Je voudrais voler comme un oiseau d'aile
Ah, je voudrais voler comme un oiseau d'aile, d'aile
Ooh, go doe bay mwa
Ooh, go doe bay mwa
If you really want to, you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way
If you really want to you can seize the day
Only if you want to, will you fly away
If you really want to, you can seize the day
Only if you want to, will you fly away
Елена Гречихина
When there's a shadow you reach for the sun...
When there is love then you look for the one...
...and for the promises there is the sky
...and for the heavens are those who can fly
If you really want to you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day,
Only if you want to will you fly away..
When there's a journey you follow a star...
When there's an ocean you sail from afar...
...and for the broken heart there is the sky
...and for tomorrow are those who can fly
If you really want to you can hear me say
Only if you want to will you find a way.
If you really want to you can seize the day,
Only if you want to will you fly away...
Ah! Je voudrais voler comme un oiseau d'aile.
Ah! Je voudrais voler comme un oiseau d'aile, d'aile..
azokrhall
This song, right here, right now, just saved me from a terrible dark place my mind has been all day.
Have a nice day if you are reading this.
Carolina Guerrero
TE AMO, POR SER QUIEN ERES, CUANDO VUELAS ALTO Y VUELAS BAJO, PRECIOSO SER HUMANO, DE CARNE Y HUESO, SIGUE BRILLANDO... SIGUE LUCHANDO... EN ESOS LUGARES OSCUROS Y OCULTOS.... NACISTE PARA ILUMINAR ESTE MUNDO Y ESOS LUGARES OSCUROS.... SIGUE BRILLANDO... SIGUE LUCHANDO.... LA VICTORIA ESTÁ MUY CERCA
Enzo Navarro
May God bless you
Enzo Navarro
Have a beautibul day (or night)!
Julia
❤
Chloe Mu
I was Also in a dark place and my grandma sent this on a family group chat and now God had let me see the joy again
Hetizone Martins Estumano
Amo todas as suas músicas!! Com lágrimas nos olhos de tanta emoção, são muitos profundas !! 👏❤💫⭐
Music Collection
Enya's songs are so gentle, soothing, makes me happy to listen to her songs. Forget what makes you uncomfortable 🥰
Eliane Simões
SHE IS WONDERFUL AND YOUR VOICE IS VERY SERENITY!HUG SOUL!FROM BRAZIL!🌻🌻🌻💚💛💙🤍⚘⚘⚘💜🇧🇷
Molly
Thanks r🙏🏻