"Caribbean Blue" is a song by Irish musician, songwriter and singer Enya, included as the second track on her third studio album, Shepherd Moons (1991). It follows a waltz time signature, and mentions the Anemoi (Ancient Greek wind gods): Boreas, Afer Ventus (Africus), Eurus, and Zephyrus. The song was released as a single on October 7, 1991.
"Caribbean Blue" reached number eight on the Irish Singles Chart and number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it reached number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart; on the latter listing, it was the 12th-most-successful song of 1992. The music video for the song features visual imagery based on the paintings of Maxfield Parrish and was an early appearance for British actress and singer Martine McCutcheon.
Lyrics[]
Eurus
Afer Ventus
So the world goes round and round
With all you ever knew
They say the sky high above
Is Caribbean blue
If every man says all he can
If every man is true
Do I believe the sky above
Is Caribbean blue
Boreas
Zephyrus
If all they told was turned to gold
If all you dreamed was new
Imagine sky high above
In Caribbean blue
Eurus
Afer Ventus
Boreas
Zephyrus
Africus
Tracklist[]
UK 7-inch and cassette single[]
US and Australian cassette single[]
Japanese mini-CD single[]
- "Caribbean Blue"
- "Orinoco Flow"
UK CD single[]
- "Caribbean Blue"
- "Orinoco Flow"
- "As Baile"
- "Oriel Window"
European 12-inch single[]
- A1. "Caribbean Blue" 3:39
- A2. "Orinoco Flow" 3:44
- B1. "Angeles" 3:58
Scans[]
Critical Reception[]
Ned Raggett from AllMusic noted that on the song, the singer 'avoids repeating the successful formula of "Orinoco Flow" by means of its waltz time—a subtle enough change, but one that colors and drives the overall composition and performance, the closest Enya might ever get to a dance number.'
Larry Flick from Billboard described it as 'dreamy and evocative' and 'multilayered and intricate'. He noted further that 'rich tapestry of sound lulls the listener with the promise of complex musical textures. Enya's understated vocals swell into effective wavelike crescendos that ebb and flow with the picturesque melody.'
David Browne from Entertainment Weekly called it 'a breathy, upbeat waltz that personifies everything Enya'. Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that 'it is as dreamy as her 1988 global hit "Orinoco Flow", but more dressed with instruments'. A reviewer from People Magazine stated that 'the Irish singer's angelic vocals lift this elegant and avant-garde waltz heavenward'.
Charts[]
Weekly Charts[]
| Chart (1991-1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 74 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 30 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 32 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 10 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 31 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 50 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 8 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 21 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 37 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 22 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 25 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 32 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 13 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 79 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 29 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 3 |
Year-end Charts[]
| Chart (1992) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 12 |
Certifications[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 200,000‡ |