Only Time


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

Release

In 2001, "Only Time" was released again as a remix. The track was remixed by the Swiss American Federation with a final remix by Enya's producer, Nicky Ryan. Enya donated the earnings from the sale of that single to the Uniform Firefighters Association's Widows' and Children's Fund to help the families of fire fighters in the aftermath of 9/11. The song was also featured in the soundtrack of the motion picture Sweet November. Following the September 2001 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" climbed to number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number one on the adult contemporary chart.
During the summer of 2001, NBC used the song in commercials to promote Friends, which ended its season on a cliffhanger. NBC also used it as background during the death scene for character Bobby Caffey in the episode "Unfinished Business" during the second season of Third Watch. The exposure helped the song gain familiarity and increased radio play. As a result, the song became Enya's first top 40 radio hit in 12 years. The song appeared twice on the TV show Viva La Bam where it first appeared in the montage of Bam Margera destroying Don Vito's cars in "Bamiature Golf" and again in "Where's Vito?" during a retrospective for Bam's Hummer after it was thrown off the cliff by Vito. Enya performed the song at the 2001 World Music Awards.
The song's music video, which shows Enya performing the song in a spring, summer, fall and winter theme, was directed by Graham Fink and was also released in 2000. In 2020, to celebrate 20th anniversary of the recording, the video was remastered in 4K. This version was released in March 2020.
In 2002, the song received an ECHO Award for Best Single of the Year.
On November 13, 2013, the "Epic Split" advertisement was launched for the Volvo Trucks Volvo FM range and featured the song and Jean-Claude Van Damme. The success of the ad caused "Only Time" to re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 43, and the UK Singles Chart at number 95. Kraft Foods later used the song in advertisements showing parents relaxing while their kids eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

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.

Track listings

2000 original release
  1. "Only Time"
  2. "The First of Autumn"
  3. "The Promise"
2001 remix release
  1. "Only Time "
  2. "Oíche Chiúin"
  3. "Willows on the Water"
  4. "Only Time"
Promotional 2001 release
  1. "Only Time "
2004 reissue release
  1. "Only Time "

    Charts and sales

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position
US Top New Age Digital Tracks 1

Year-end charts

Decade-end charts

Certifications

Cover versions