Watermark (1988)

Commercial Breakthrough and Release

Watermark was released on 19 September 1988 by WEA Records as the landmark second studio album by Irish singer and composer Enya.

The album marked her global commercial breakthrough, reaching number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and number 25 on the US Billboard 200 while selling over eight million copies worldwide.

Genre and Recording Process

Although widely regarded as a seminal milestone in New Age music, Enya does not classify her compositions within that specific genre.

Recorded between June 1987 and April 1988, initial demo production began at Aigle Studio in Dublin before relocating to Orinoco Studios in London for digital re-recording.

Executive producer Rob Dickins signed Enya to WEA after falling in love with her 1987 self-titled debut, granting her total artistic freedom without strict deadlines.

Stream or download Enya songs

Album Themes and Central Imagery

Looking back on Watermark, the words are those of loss, of reflection, of exile — not necessarily from one's country, but from those whom the heart loves. It has in its theme searching, longing, of reaching out for an answer. The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey, which is the way I would describe this album.

Enya

Album Editions and Special Tracks

The original European release from WEA Records is eleven tracks long with a total running time of 40:05.

To expand international releases, Reprise Records and Geffen Records added a twelfth track to North American pressings, though some reissues omit it.

Track Version Highlights

• "Storms in Africa II": A faster-tempo remix of "Storms in Africa" featuring English lyrics replacing the original Irish Gaelic.
• "Orinoco Flow": The final song composed for the album, built around customized pizzicato chords generated on a Roland D-50 synthesizer.
• 2009 Japanese Reissue: Expanded the album to thirteen tracks by adding the bonus track "Morning Glory".

Singles and Film Soundtracks

WEA Records issued four official singles between 1988 and 1991 to support the record's worldwide promotion.

The track "Exile" gained widespread cinematic exposure after being featured on the soundtracks of the films Green Card (1990) and L.A. Story (1991).

Official Singles Timeline

• "Orinoco Flow" (3 October 1988): Surged to number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks and received two Grammy Award nominations.
• "Evening Falls..." (12 December 1988): Reached number 3 in Ireland and number 20 on the UK Singles Chart.
• "Storms In Africa" (5 June 1989): Top 15 hit in Ireland featuring African hand drums and rototoms by guest percussionist Chris Hughes.
• "Exile" (20 May 1991): Released as the fourth single, highlighted by a low whistle performance by Davy Spillane.

Jump to lyrics, videos list and credits.

Lyrics list

1. Watermark (Instrumental)
2. Cursum Perficio
3. On Your Shore
4. Storms In Africa
5. Exile
6. Miss Clare Remembers (Instrumental)
7. Orinoco Flow
8. Evening Falls...
9. River (Instrumental)
10. The Longships
11. Na Laetha Geal M'Óige

Videos

• "Exile"
• "Storms In Africa II" (English lyrics)
• "Evening Falls..."
• "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)"

More videos in EnyaTube »

Lyrics

Cursum Perficio lyrics

On Your Shore lyrics

Storms In Africa lyrics

There's a second version of that song, with English lyrics.

Exile lyrics

Orinoco Flow lyrics

Also known as "Sail Away".

Evening Falls... lyrics

The Longships lyrics

Na Laetha Geal M'Óige lyrics

Credits

Guest Musicians

• On Your Shore: Clarinet by Neil Buckley
• Exile: Low whistle by Davy Spillane
• River: Percussion and rototoms by Chris Hughes
• Storms In Africa: Percussion, drums, rototoms, and African hand drums by Chris Hughes
• Na Laetha Geal M'Óige: Uilleann pipes by Davy Spillane

Production and Technical Personnel

Produced by Nicky Ryan.

Co-produced by Enya and Ross Cullum.

Executive producer: Rob Dickins.

Engineered and mixed by Ross Cullum at Wessex Sound Studios, except "Orinoco Flow" mixed by Jimbo Barton, and "Storms in Africa II" mixed by Pete Schwier.

Artwork and Recording Studios

Cover photography by David Hiscock with additional photography by Russel Yamy.

Graphic design by Lawrence Dunmore.

Recorded at Orinoco Studios in Bermondsey, London, after initial demos at Aigle Studio in Artane, Dublin.

Composition and Management

All lead and multi-tracked backing vocals, keyboards (including her favorite Roland Juno-60 synthesizer), and instrumentation performed by Enya.

All music composed by Enya and published by Aigle Music.

Arranged by Enya and Nicky Ryan.

Lyrics written by Roma Ryan with Irish text adaptation by Enya.

Management: Aigle Music.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to: Max Hole, Moira Bellas and all those at WEA who have worked so hard on our behalf, Peter Price, Bridget Ryan, Frank Byrne, Terry Cromer, Nóra Ní Mhaonagail, Dr. Stanley Buchalter, John Masterson, Tom Astor, Gail Gerard, Alex and Erin, and especially Ross Cullum and Chris Hughes.

Tá muid fíorbhuíoch do Rob Dickins ar son an chuidiú agus an mhisneach a thug sé duinn. (We are truly grateful to Rob Dickins for the help and courage he gave us.)