The Irish singer Eithne Patricia NíBhraonáin, better known as Enya (17-05-1961), has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Enya actually represents three people: Eithne herself, Roma Ryan who writes the lyrics, and Nicky Ryan who produces the albums.
Enya joined the group Clannad in 1980. Other members included her sister Máire Brennan, now known as Moya Brennan, and brothers Pól Brennan and Ciarán Brennan. She left the band shortly before Clannad gained fame with Theme from Harry's Game in 1982. Clannad's producer Nicky Ryan followed Enya, and after her departure she set up her own recording studio called Aigle, which is French for eagle. After leaving Clannad, Enya recorded two instrumental tracks in 1984, An ghaoth ón ghrian (the solar wind) and Miss Clare remembers. She also composed the music for the soundtrack of the film The Frog Prince. In 1986 she wrote the music for the BBC programme The Celts; this music was also released on her first solo album Enya, but it was not a great success.
In 1988 Enya released her second album, called Watermark. This album, and especially the single Orinoco Flow (for the American market Orinoco Flow, Sail Away), marked her big breakthrough. She immediately became internationally known, and 8 million copies of Watermark were sold.
In 1991 she released Shepherd Moons, also a great success. Ten million copies of this album were sold and it earned her first Grammy Award.
Top 2000
Enya has two songs in the Top 2000 of 2020. At position 948 is Only Time and at position 1047 is Orinoco Flow.
Sunday Morning Classic: Watermark
On 24 October 2021 Enya features in our list of lists with the album Watermark.
Watermark is Enya's second studio album and was first released in 1988. Watermark features various musical styles and showcases Enya's sound with elements of Celtic and New Age music. The album was nominated for Best New Age Album at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards. This album, and especially the single Orinoco Flow (for the American market Orinoco Flow, Sail Away), marked her big breakthrough. She immediately became internationally known, and 8 million copies of Watermark were sold. Other singles from the album are Evening Falls... and Exile, but these did not reach the Top 40. Storms in Africa, Pt. 2 is not included on all versions of the album.
Photo: album cover
