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A Day Without Rain

by Enya

Released: November 20, 2000

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.

The Album

A Day Without Rain is the fifth studio album by the Irish musician Enya, released on 20 November 2000 by WEA. The album's title, A Day Without Rain, originates from Enya's experiences of her native Ireland's weather, where it rains often, but occasionally there are beautiful clear days, which Enya described as a day without rain. The album marks a departure from the sound of Enya's previous albums, featuring a more pop-oriented, melodic sound compared to the more ambient musical texture of her earlier work.

Inside the Recording

Following a promotional tour in support of her compilation album Paint The Sky With Stars (1997), Enya took a short break before she resumed writing and recording a new album in 1998 with her usual recording partners, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

This change in sound also reflected a change…

This change in sound also reflected a change in her songwriting process, which saw her placing greater emphasis on the songs themselves, rather than the surrounding arrangements.

It was also Enya's first new studio album…

It was also Enya's first new studio album in over four years.

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Enya - A Day Without Rain

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Then

Reception

This album was a commercial success peaking at number six on the UK Albums Chart, number two on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and number one in 19 countries. This album consists of 12 tracks, most famously "Only Time," which garnered considerable media attention in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks, resulting in it becoming Enya's biggest solo hit to date, reaching No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in Germany.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

A Day Without Rain is the fifth studio album by the Irish musician Enya, released on 20 November 2000 by WEA. Following a promotional tour in support of her compilation album Paint The Sky With Stars (1997), Enya took a short break before she resumed writing and recording a new album in 1998 with her usual recording partners, producer and arranger Nicky Ryan and his wife, lyricist Roma Ryan.

The album marks a departure from the sound of Enya's previous albums, featuring a more pop-oriented, melodic sound compared to the more ambient musical texture of her earlier work. This change in sound also reflected a change in her songwriting process, which saw her placing greater emphasis on the songs themselves, rather than the surrounding arrangements.

This album was a commercial success peaking at number six on the UK Albums Chart, number two on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and number one in 19 countries. It was also Enya's first new studio album in over four years.

The album's title, A Day Without Rain, originates from Enya's experiences of her native Ireland's weather, where it rains often, but occasionally there are beautiful clear days, which Enya described as a day without rain. This album consists of 12 tracks, most famously "Only Time," which garnered considerable media attention in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks, resulting in it becoming Enya's biggest solo hit to date, reaching No. 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in Germany.