Only Time

Only TimeSingle by Enya
General information
Artist	Enya
Release date	November 6, 2000
Recorded	2000
Studio	Aigle Studio (Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland)
Genre	New Age · Celtic · Ambient
Length	3:37 (Original) 3:15 (S.A.F. Pop Radio Remix)
B-Side(s)	"The First Of Autumn" "The Promise" "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)" "Willows On The Water"
Album	A Day Without Rain
Label	WEA (Europe) Reprise Records (United States)
Songwriter(s)	Enya Roma Ryan
Producer(s)	Nicky Ryan
Language	English
Singles chronology
Previous	"Only If..."
Current	"Only Time"
Next	"Wild Child"
A Day Without Rain track list
"Wild Child"
"Only Time"
"Tempus Vernum"
Music video

"Only Time" is a song by Irish singer, songwriter and musician, Enya, released on November 6, 2000 by WEA as the lead single and third track to her fifth studio album, A Day Without Rain (2000). The song reached number one in Canada, Germany, Poland and Switzerland, number two in Austria, and became Enya's only top-10 single as a solo artist in the United States, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Lyrics

Who can say where the road goes?
Where the day flows?
Only time.
And who can say if your love grows
As your heart chose?
Only time.

Who can say why your heart sighs
As your love flies?
Only time.
And who can say why your heart cries
When your love lies?
Only time.

Who can say when the roads meet
That love might be in your heart?
And who can say when the day sleeps
If the night keeps all your heart,
Night keeps all your heart?

Who can say if your love grows
As your heart chose?
Only time.
And who can say where the road goes?
Where the day flows?
Only time.

Who knows? Only time.
Who knows? Only time.

Tracklist

UK CD and cassette single (2000)

1. "Only Time"
2. "The First Of Autumn"
3. "The Promise"

German CD single (2000)

1. "Only Time"
2. "The First Of Autumn"

Remix CD single (2001)

1. "Only Time"
2. "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)"
3. "Willows On The Water”
4. "Only Time" (Original Version)

European CD single (2001)

1. "Only Time" (Remix) 3:14
2. "Only Time" (Original Version) 3:38

UK CD single (2001)

1. "Only Time" (Remix) 3:13
2. "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)" 3:45
3. "Willows On The Water” 3:02

US 7-inch single (2001)

A1. "Only Time" (Remix) 3:13

B1. "May It Be" (Edit) 3:30

Scans

Release

In 2001, "Only Time" was released again as a radio remix. The track was remixed and mastered by the Swiss American Federation (S.A.F. aka Christian B. and Marc Dold) with a final mix by Enya's producer, Nicky Ryan. Enya donated the earnings from the sale of that single to the Widows' and Children's Fund of the Uniformed Firefighters Association to help the families of firefighters in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks. Following the attacks, sales of the album and its lead single, "Only Time", skyrocketed after it was used by several radio and television networks in their coverage and aftermath of the attacks. As a result, "Only Time", (the S.A.F. radio remix) climbed to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number one on the adult contemporary chart. In 2002, the song received an ECHO Award for Best Single.

Music Video

The song's music video, which shows Enya performing the song in a spring, summer, fall and winter theme, was directed by Graham Fink. It was released in 2000. In March 2020, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the recording, the video was remastered in 4K.

Live Performances

Enya performed "Only Time" several times, performances included Larry King Live, Children in Need, This Morning, The View, Happy Xmas Show, Entertainment Tonight, Live! with Regis and Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and 2001 World Music Awards.

Charts

Weekly Charts

Weekly chart performance for "Only Time"

Chart (2000-2002)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	69
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	2
Belgium (Ultratop Bubbling Under Wallonia)	11
Canada (Nielsen (SoundScan)	1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	5
France (SNEP)	48
Germany (Official German Charts)	1
Italy (FIMI)	17
Netherlands (Single Top 100)	44
Poland (Music & Media)	1
Poland (Nielsen Music Control)	1
Scotland (OCC)	38
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	28
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	1
UK Singles (OCC)	32
US Billboard Hot 100	10
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	1
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	11

Chart (2010)	Peak position
US Top New Age Digital Tracks (Billboard)	1

Chart (2013)	Peak position
France (SNEP)	92
Hungary (Single Top 40)	10
Ireland (IRMA)	58
US Billboard Hot 100	34

Year-end Charts

Year-end chart performance for "Only Time"

Chart (2001)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	9
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	25
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)	9
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	50
Germany (Official German Charts)	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	8
US Billboard Hot 100	59
US Adult Contemporary (Billbaord)	6
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)	27
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)	62

Chart (2002)	Position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	21
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)	39
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	97
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	9
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)	24

Decade-end Charts

Decade-end chart performance for "Only Time“

Chart (2000-2009)	Position
Germany (Official German Charts)	99

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "Only Time"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)	Gold	25,000*
Denmark (IFPI Denmark)	Gold	45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)	3× Gold	750,000^
Italy (FIMI) sales since 2009	Gold	25,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)	Gold	25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)	Silver	200,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release History

Release dates and formats for "Only Time"

Region	Version	Date	Format(s)
United States	Original	November 6, 2000	Smooth Jazz radio
United Kingdom		November 13, 2000	CD · cassette
Japan		November 15, 2000	CD
United States		November 20, 2000	Adult contemporary · hot adult contemporary radio
		June 19, 2001	Contemporary hit radio
Australia		December 10, 2001	CD
Japan	Remix	December 19, 2001