Caribbean Blue

"Caribbean Blue" is a song by Irish musician Enya, included as the second track on her third studio album, Shepherd Moons (1991). It follows a waltz time signature, and mentions the Anemoi (Ancient Greek wind gods): Boreas, Afer Ventus (Africus), Eurus, and Zephyrus. The song was released as a single on 7 October 1991.

"Caribbean Blue"
Single by Enya
from the album Shepherd Moons
B-side
Released7 October 1991 (1991-10-07)[1]
Length
  • 3:58 (album version)
  • 3:39 (single version)
LabelWEA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Nicky Ryan
Enya singles chronology
"Exile"
(1991)		 "Caribbean Blue"
(1991)		 "How Can I Keep from Singing?"
(1991)
Music video
"Caribbean Blue" on YouTube

"Caribbean Blue" reached number eight on the Irish Singles Chart and number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it reached number 79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart; on the latter listing, it was the 12th-most-successful song of 1992. The music video for the song features visual imagery based on the paintings of Maxfield Parrish and was an early appearance for British actress and singer Martine McCutcheon.[2]

Critical reception

Ned Raggett from AllMusic noted that on the song, the singer 'avoids repeating the successful formula of "Orinoco Flow" by means of its waltz time—a subtle enough change, but one that colors and drives the overall composition and performance, the closest Enya might ever get to a dance number.'[3]

Larry Flick from Billboard described it as 'dreamy and evocative' and 'multilayered and intricate'. He noted further that 'rich tapestry of sound lulls the listener with the promise of complex musical textures. Enya's understated vocals swell into effective wavelike crescendos that ebb and flow with the picturesque melody.'[4]

David Browne from Entertainment Weekly called it 'a breathy, upbeat waltz that personifies everything Enya'.[5] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that 'it is as dreamy as her 1988 global hit "Orinoco Flow", but more dressed with instruments'.[6] A reviewer from People Magazine stated that 'the Irish singer's angelic vocals lift this elegant and avant-garde waltz heavenward'.[7]

Track listings
  • UK 7-inch and cassette single[8][9]
US and Australian cassette single[10][11]
Japanese mini-CD single[12]
  1. "Caribbean Blue"
  2. "Orinoco Flow"
  1. "Caribbean Blue"
  2. "Orinoco Flow"
  3. "As Baile"
  4. "Oriel Window"
  • European 12-inch single[14]
A1. "Caribbean Blue" – 3:39
A2. "Orinoco Flow" – 3:44
B1. "Angeles" – 3:58

Charts

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Caribbean Blue"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 5 October 1991. p. 25. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  2. "- YouTube". YouTube.
  3. Raggett, Ned. "Enya – Shepherd Moons". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  4. Flick, Larry (23 November 1991). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 72. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. Browne, David (16 April 1993). "Enya's Shepherd Moon re-reviewed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  6. "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 19 October 1991. p. 33. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. "Picks and Pans Review: Prime Cuts". People. 16 December 1991. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  8. Caribbean Blue (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Enya. WEA. 1991. YZ604, 9031-75609-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. Caribbean Blue (UK cassette single sleeve). Enya. WEA. 1991. YZ604C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. Caribbean Blue (US cassette single sleeve). Enya. Reprise Records. 1991. 9 19089-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Caribbean Blue (Australian cassette single sleeve). Enya. WEA. 1991. 903175609-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. Caribbean Blue (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Enya. WEA. 1991. WMD5-4080.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. Caribbean Blue (UK CD single liner notes). Enya. WEA. 1991. YZ604CDX, 9031-75611-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. Caribbean Blue (European 12-inch single sleeve). Enya. WEA. 1991. 9031-75610-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  16. "Enya – Caribbean Blue" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  17. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2036." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  18. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2104." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  19. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 46. 16 November 1991. p. 31. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  20. "Enya – Caribbean Blue" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  21. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Caribbean Blue". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  22. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 47, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  23. "Enya – Caribbean Blue" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  24. "Enya – Caribbean Blue". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  25. "Enya – Caribbean Blue". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  26. "Enya – Caribbean Blue". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  27. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  28. "Enya Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  29. "Enya Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  30. "Enya Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  31. "The Year in Music – Top Modern Rock Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. 26 December 1992. p. YE-42. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  32. "British single certifications – Enya – Caribbean Blue". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
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