Orinoco Flow

Enya released "Orinoco Flow" in 1988 as the lead single from her album Watermark. The song became her biggest hit, topping the UK chart for three weeks and reaching number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its blend of new age, Celtic, and pop elements, built on layered synthesizers, piano, and multitracked vocals, created a lush, ethereal sound that defined the genre for years.

Written by Enya and Roma Ryan, and produced by Nicky Ryan, the track features a driving bassline and a memorable choral hook: "Sail away, sail away, sail away." The lyrics reference the Orinoco River in Venezuela and other exotic locations, adding to its escapist appeal. The music video, directed by Michael Geoghegan, shows Enya singing in a studio intercut with imagery of ships and water.

"Orinoco Flow" earned Grammy nominations for Best New Age Performance and Best Music Video. It has been covered by artists like Celtic Woman, Bond, and Lindsey Stirling, and experienced a TikTok resurgence in 2020. The Guardian ranked it 77th on its list of the 100 greatest UK number-one singles.[edit]