"Anywhere Is" is a song by Irish singer, songwriter and musician Enya, released on November 6, 1995 by WEA as the lead single from her fourth studio album, The Memory Of Trees (1995). The lyrics of the song are in English, written by Roma Ryan and it was produced by Nicky Ryan. The song peaked at number seven on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, the song peaked at number 36. Its music video was directed by David Scheinmann.[1]
Background[]
"Anywhere Is" developed from a staccato line that Enya has described had a "march feel". Initially it was a track that she and producer Nicky Ryan wanted to reject for the album The Memory Of Trees. But it was developed further after Rob Dickins, then chairman of Warner Music UK who had signed Enya, was invited to Ireland in August 1995 to listen to the album, roughly one year-and-a-half into the recording process. It was only its backing tracks that had been put down, but Dickins sensed the song had the makings of a hit single and encouraged them to complete it; it was the final track of the new album to be worked on. Enya's melody for the song inspired Roma Ryan to write lyrics about, as Billboard magazine put it, "the search for the temporal heaven all cultures call 'home'", a subject that Enya felt was important as she only writes and rehearses her songs in Ireland. Dickins received a dedication on the album's sleeve in Gaelic.
Lyrics[]
I walk the maze of moments
But everywhere I turn to
Begins a new beginning
But never finds a finish
I walk to the horizon
And there I find another
It all seems so surprising
And then I find that I know
You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is
The moon upon the ocean
Is swept around in motion
But without ever knowing
The reason for its flowing
In motion on the ocean
The moon still keeps on moving
The waves still keep on waving
And I still keep on going
You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is
I wonder if the stars sign
The life that is to be mine
And would they let their light shine
Enough for me to follow
I look up to the heavens
But night has clouded over
No spark of constellation
No Vela no Orion
The shells upon the warm sands
Have taken from their own lands
The echo of their story
But all I hear are low sounds
As pillow words are weaving
And willow waves are leaving
But should I be believing
That I am only dreaming
You go there you're gone forever
I go there I'll lose my way
If we stay here we're not together
Anywhere is
To leave the tread of all time
And let it make a dark line
In hopes that I can still find
The way back to the moment
I took the turn and turned to
Begin a new beginning
Still looking for the answer
I cannot find the finish
It's either this or that way
It's one way or the other
It should be one direction
It could be on reflection
The turn I have just taken
The turn that I was making
I might be just beginning
I might be near the end
Scans[]
Tracklist[]
7-inch single, UK (1995)[]
- "Anywhere Is" 3:44
- “Boadicea” 3:31
CD single, Europe (1995)[]
- "Anywhere Is" 3:44
- "Boadicea" 3:31
- "Oriel Window" 2:22
CD maxi, Japan (1995)[]
- "Anywhere Is" 3:44
- "Book Of Days" 2:55
- "Caribbean Blue" 3:40
- "Orinoco Flow" 3:45
Music Video[]
The music video for "Anywhere Is" was directed by David Scheinmann. It was uploaded to YouTube in October 2008. By August 2020, the video had more than 7.5 million views.
Critical Reception[]
AllMusic editor Rick Anderson constated that Enya has "a truly lovely voice", and added that there's no point trying to resist the "incantatory power" of "Anywhere Is". Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "an exhilarating uptempo pop waltz that will turn any car, den, or front stoop into an otherworldly tabernacle of sound." He complimented the singer for her "remarkable ability to inspire listeners is undiminished on this richly layered feast of melody-a throbbing secular hymn about life's search for fulfillment." A reviewer from Crawley News wrote that the song "sounds fabulous". James Masterton for Dotmusic felt that it's "if anything slightly more commercial than many of her previous hits, with a light, almost poppy sound." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report found that "Enya has developed a truly distinctive style. Those of us who became fans early on love to convert the unitiated, and this song is bound to bring many more into the flock. Count on another magnificent video to accompany this very commercial track."
British magazine Music Week gave "Anywhere Is" it five out of five and named it Single of the Week, adding, "Back with a vengeance, Enya's meanderings are given a jauntier air, with the familiar building chorus forming a strong hook."[8] Michelle Boucher from The Observer complimented the song for having "a nice rhythm". Steven Johnson from The Record remarked its "spirited melody", that is the furthest away from her usual "tried-and-true" musical formula. Toledo Blade's reviewer described it as "positively upbeat". Mike Joyce from The Washington Post felt the song "highlight Enya's often overlooked pop sensibility", "with its wondrously spun harmonies, swiftly revolving melody and resonating backbeat".
Charts[]
"Anywhere Is" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 12 on 12 November 1995 and peaked at number seven the next week. It was also a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland and a top-20 hit the Netherlands. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "Anywhere Is" reached number 36 on 16 December. Outside Europe, the song peaked at number 34 in Australia and number 62 in Canada. It received a silver certification in the United Kingdom, shipping over 200,000 units.
Weekly Charts[]
| Chart (1995-1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 34 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 8 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 50 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 62 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 48 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 36 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 14 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 44 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) | 3 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 8 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 26 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 19 |
| Poland (Music & Media) | 1 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 8 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 33 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 7 |
Year-end Charts[]
| Chart (1995) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC) | 55 |
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000^ |
Release History[]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | November 6, 1995 | CD · cassette | WEA |
| Japan | November 10, 1995 | CD | |
| United States | December 12, 1995 | Contemporary hit radio | Reprise |
| Japan (re-release) | May 25, 1997 | CD | WEA |