Only Time
by Enya

Album: A Day Without Rain (2000)
Charted: 32 10
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Songfacts®:

  • "Only Time" was written and recorded by native Gaelic speaker Enya and released in 2000 as the first single from her album A Day Without Rain. It's an ethereal song that puts our place in the world in perspective:

    Who can say where the road goes?
    Where the day flows?
    Only time


    The song took on new meaning in 2001 as a 9/11 tribute song; Enya performed it on Larry King Live on November 8, 2001 on a special program to commemorate the victims. Enya confirmed to King that the song was to be re-released on November 20 with all the proceeds going to the first responders. This version of "Only Time" was performed live from Los Angeles with an accompaniment of chorus and violins.
  • The song returned to the Hot 100 in late 2013 after soundtracking a Volvo Trucks campaign featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
  • This was used on Friends in the season 8 episode "The One Where Chandler Takes A Bath." It plays as Chandler relaxes in the tub.

    It was also used in the TV shows Elementary ("Through The Fog" – 2018) and Limitless ("A Dog's Breakfast" – 2016), as well as the movies Deadpool 2 (2018) and Sweet November (2001).
  • "Only Time" is the kind of song you'd hear at a spa while getting a massage or a facial. This made it a good choice for a 2026 Novartis commercial hyping their prostate cancer screening blood tests. Titled "Relax Your Tight End," it features famous NFL tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Tony Gonzalez, who are relaxed because they don't have to undergo the traditional prostate test. The spot aired during the Super Bowl that year.

Comments: 4

  • Mayfair Magee from Philadelphia Pa4/18/2025 . . . Just now heard this song in an Applebees TV commercial. Hadn't heard the song in a long time, and immediately searched the internet to learn the artist and title. I'd heard of Enya (mostly in crossword puzzles), but didn't know this was her song. Very relaxing/choral feel.
  • Maranda from KentuckyIt’s also in the show new girl season 7 episode 4 “where the road goes” during Ferguson’s funeral.
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaI, along with a million others, love Enya's rich, atmospheric style. Her production is as important as her song writing. This song is the prinnacle. I loved Orinico Flow as an oddity long before I learned that it too was recorded by Enya. As I recall, this was also featured on the "Friends" tv show when Chandler was trying to relax in the tub after a stressful day.
  • Daniel from Jacksonville, Fli first heard this song on "viva la bam" don vito dropped bam's hummer down a revine and they started playin this song as a flash back type deal as they were showing the "best times" in his hummer...its a good song
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