Only Time

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title: "Only Time" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2000s-ballads", "2000-singles", "2000-songs", "2001-singles", "canadian-singles-chart-number-one-singles", "charity-singles-following-the-september-11-attacks", "enya-songs", "number-one-singles-in-germany", "number-one-singles-in-poland", "number-one-singles-in-switzerland", "reprise-records-singles", "songs-with-lyrics-by-roma-ryan", "songs-with-music-by-enya", "warner-music-group-singles", "remix-singles"] description: "2000 single by Enya" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_Time" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 2000 single by Enya ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox song"]

Field	Value
name	Only Time
cover	Enya - Only Time cover.jpg
type	single
artist	Enya
album	A Day Without Rain
released
studio	Aigle (Dún Laoghaire, Ireland)
genre	New-age
composer	Enya
lyricist	Roma Ryan
producer	Nicky Ryan
prev_title	Only If...
prev_year	1997
next_title	Wild Child
next_year	2001
misc
::

| name = Only Time | cover = Enya - Only Time cover.jpg | alt = | caption = | type = single | artist = Enya | album = A Day Without Rain | B-side =

• "The First of Autumn"
• "The Promise"
• "Oíche Chiúin"
• "Willows on the Water" | released = | recorded = | studio = Aigle (Dún Laoghaire, Ireland) | genre = New-age | length =
• 3:38 (album version)
• 3:15 (S.A.F. pop radio remix) | label =
• WEA
• Reprise | composer = Enya | lyricist = Roma Ryan | producer = Nicky Ryan | prev_title = Only If... | prev_year = 1997 | next_title = Wild Child | next_year = 2001 | misc = "Only Time" is a song by Irish musician Enya. It was released on 6 November 2000 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, A Day Without Rain (2000). The song reached number one in Canada, Germany, Poland and Switzerland, number two in Austria, and became Enya's only top-10 single as a solo artist in the United States, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became an anthem for the victims of the September 11th attacks, with Enya donating to a fund for the victims' families.

Release

In 2001, "Only Time" was released again as a radio remix. The track was remixed and mastered by the Swiss American Federation (S.A.F. aka Christian B. and Marc Dold) with a final mix by Enya's producer, Nicky Ryan. Enya donated the earnings from the sale of that single to the Widows' and Children's Fund of the Uniformed Firefighters Association to help the families of firefighters in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks. Following the attacks, sales of the album and its lead single, "Only Time", skyrocketed after it was used by several radio and television networks in their coverage and aftermath of the attacks. As a result, "Only Time", (the S.A.F. radio remix) climbed to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and number one on the adult contemporary chart. In 2002, the song received an ECHO Award for Best Single.

Music video

The song's music video, which shows Enya performing the song in a spring, summer, fall and winter theme, was directed by Graham Fink. It was released in 2000. In March 2020, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the recording, the video was remastered in 4K.

Live performances

Enya performed "Only Time" several times, performances included Larry King Live, Children in Need, This Morning, The View, Happy Xmas Show, Entertainment Tonight, Live! with Regis and Kelly, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and 2001 World Music Awards.

Track listings

UK CD and cassette single (2000)

1. "Only Time"
2. "The First of Autumn"
3. "The Promise"

German CD single (2000)

1. "Only Time"
2. "The First of Autumn"

Remix CD single (2001)

1. "Only Time" (remix)
2. "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)"
3. "Willows on the Water"
4. "Only Time" (original version) European CD single (2001)
5. "Only Time" (remix) – 3:14
6. "Only Time" (original version) – 3:38

US CD single (2001)

1. "Only Time" (remix) – 3:13
2. "Oíche Chiúin (Silent Night)" – 3:45
3. "Willows on the Water" – 3:02

US 7-inch single (2001) :A. "Only Time" (remix) – 3:13 :B. "May It Be" (edit) – 3:30

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the A Day Without Rain album booklet.

Studio

• Recorded at Aigle Studio (Dún Laoghaire, Ireland)
• Mastered at 360 Mastering (London, England)

Personnel

• Enya – composition, all instruments and voices, arrangement, mixing
• Roma Ryan – lyrics
• Wired Strings – additional strings
• Nicky Ryan – production, arrangement, mixing, engineering
• Dick Beetham – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

::data[format=table title="Weekly chart performance for "Only Time""] | Chart (2000–2002) | Peak position | Canada (Nielsen SoundScan) | Canada AC (Nielsen BDS) | Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS) | Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | Poland (Music & Media) | Poland (Nielsen Music Control) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | | | | | | | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | | | | ::

::data[format=table] | Chart (2010) | Peak position | US Top New Age Digital Tracks (Billboard) | |---|---|---| | 1 | | | ::

::data[format=table] | Chart (2013) | Peak position | Ireland (IRMA) | |---|---|---| | 58 | | | ::

Year-end charts

::data[format=table title="Year-end chart performance for "Only Time""]

Chart (2001)	Position	Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)	Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	Germany (Media Control)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	US Billboard Hot 100	US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)	US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)
9
25
9
50
2
8
59
6
27
62
::

::data[format=table]

Chart (2002)	Position	Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)	Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)
21
39
97
9
24
::

Decade-end charts

::data[format=table title="Decade-end chart performance for "Only Time""]

Chart (2000–2009)	Position	Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	Germany (Media Control GfK)
36
99
::

Certifications

Release history

::data[format=table title="Release dates and formats for "Only Time""]

Region	Version	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref(s).	United States	United Kingdom	Canada	Japan	United States	Canada	Australia	Japan
Original	6 November 2000	Smooth jazz radio	Reprise
13 November 2000		WEA
14 November 2000	CD
15 November 2000
20 November 2000		Reprise
19 June 2001	Contemporary hit radio
Remix	4 December 2001	CD	WEA
Original	10 December 2001
Remix	19 December 2001
::

In popular culture

This song was featured in 2001 film Sweet November.

In the 2002 Friends episode "The One Where Chandler Takes a Bath", Chandler plays the song while taking a bath.

In the 2006 Less than Perfect episode "Why Are You Hurting Claude", Claudia "Claude" Casey sings the song to Kipp Stedman, who was depressed after losing his trust fund, to provide moral support, and then he sings along to Claude.

On 13 November 2013, The Epic Split advertisement was launched for the Volvo Trucks Volvo FM range and featured the song and Jean-Claude Van Damme. The success of the ad caused "Only Time" to re-enter the Billboard Hot 100 at number 43, and the UK Singles Chart at number 95. Kraft Foods later used the song in advertisements showing parents relaxing while their kids eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

The song was featured in the 2018 Marvel film Deadpool 2, as well as the 2022 Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder. The song is also played in goal reviews of all Dallas Stars home games at the American Airlines Center.

References

References

1. (1989). "[[Great Disasters]]". Parragon.
2. (August 2003). "Enya Donates "Only Time" Sales". [[Irish America Magazine]].
3. (2000). "Only Time, 2000. Directed by Graham Fink". EnyaOne.
4. (2000). "Only Time". [[Warner Music Group.
5. (2000). "Only Time". WEA.
6. (2000). "Only Time". WEA.
7. (2001). "Only Time". WEA.
8. (2001). "Only Time". [[Warner Music Australia]].
9. (2001). "Only Time". WEA.
10. (2001). "Only Time". WEA.
11. (2001). "Only Time". [[Reprise Records]].
12. (2001). "Only Time". Reprise Records.
13. (2000). "A Day Without Rain". WEA.
14. "Enya Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". [[Billboard (magazine).
15. "Canada Adult Contemporary: 06/12/2001-06/18/2001".
16. "Canadian Top 20 in 2001".
17. (20 October 2001). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
18. (9 December 2000). "Major Market Airplay – Week 50/2000".
19. "Nielsen Music Control".
20. "Digital Genre Charts Launch".
21. "GFK Chart-Track - TOP 100 SINGLES, WEEK ENDING 21 November 2013".
22. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001".
23. "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001". [[Jam!]].
24. "BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001". Jam!.
25. (22 December 2001). "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2001".
26. "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2001". [[GfK Entertainment]].
27. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2001".
28. "Billboard Top 100 – 2001".
29. (29 December 2001). "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks".
30. (29 December 2001). "The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks".
31. (21 December 2001). "Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2001".
32. (14 January 2003). "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!.
33. "Top 100 top played radio tracks in Canada in 2002". Jam!.
34. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002".
35. (28 December 2002). "The Year in Music 2002: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks".
36. (20 December 2002). "Most-Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2002".
37. "Österreichischer Musikmarkt 2010 – Erstmals veröffentlicht: die meistverkauften Alben und Songs der Jahre 2000-2010". [[IFPI Austria]].
38. (2010). "Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste". [[RTL (German TV channel).
39. "New Zealand single certifications". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
40. (3 November 2000). "NAC/Smooth Jazz: Going for Adds".
41. Hubner, Miriam. (2 December 2000). "Airborne".
42. (11 November 2000). "New Releases – For Week Starting November 13, 2000: Singles".
43. "'Only Time' (3 Tracks)". CDPlus.com.
44. "New Release". [[Warner Music Japan]].
45. (17 November 2000). "Going for Adds".
46. (15 June 2001). "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds".
47. "'Only Time' (2 Mixes) (4 Tracks)". CDPlus.com.
48. (10 December 2001). "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 10th December 2001". [[Australian Recording Industry Association.
49. "最新のCD リリース一覧". [[Oricon]].
50. Davies, Alex. (14 November 2013). "Jean-Claude Van Damme Did A Crazy Split Standing On 2 Trucks For A Volvo Ad". [[Business Insider]].
51. "Lorde's 'Royals' Rules Hot 100 for Ninth Week".
52. (2019). "Those Kraft Mac & Cheese Commercials with Enya's "Only Time"". Commercial Society.
53. (25 August 2020). "How two key plays led to Stars 5-2 win over the Avalanche".

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