"Caribbean Blue" is a song by Irish musician Enya, included as the second track on her third studio album, Shepherd Moons (1991). It was written by Enya and Roma Ryan, and produced by Nicky Ryan. The song follows a waltz time signature, and mentions the Anemoi (Ancient Greek wind gods): Boreas, Afer Ventus (Africus), Eurus, and Zephyrus.
"Caribbean Blue" was released as the lead single from the album on 7 October 1991 by WEA. It 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. The accompanying music video, directed by Michael Geoghegan, features visual imagery based on the paintings of Maxfield Parrish and was an early appearance for British actress and singer Martine McCutcheon.
Composition The song is written in the key of E major with a fast tempo of 158 beats per minute in (waltz) time. Halfway through the song, the key shifts up one semitone to F major. Enya’s vocals span from B3 to G4.
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.'
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine 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.'
David Browne from Entertainment Weekly called it 'a breathy, upbeat waltz that personifies everything Enya'. Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote that 'it is as dreamy as her 1988 global hit "Orinoco Flow", but more dressed with instruments'. People Magazine stated that 'the Irish singer's angelic vocals lift this elegant and avant-garde waltz heavenward'.
Music video The music video for "Caribbean Blue" was directed by Michael Geoghegan and inspired by the illustrations of the American painter Maxfield Parrish. The pastel-like effect was added by painting on a transparent foil posed over video frames. A documentary about making of the video is included on The Video Collection and The Very Best of Enya DVDs.
Track listings UK 7-inch and cassette single US and Australian cassette single Japanese mini-CD single "Caribbean Blue" "Orinoco Flow"
UK CD single "Caribbean Blue" "Orinoco Flow" "As Baile" "Oriel Window"
European 12-inch single A1. "Caribbean Blue" – 3:39 A2. "Orinoco Flow" – 3:44 B1. "Angeles" – 3:58
Charts
Weekly charts +Chart (1991–1992)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 74Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 31Europe (European Hit Radio) 21Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. 27 October 1991. 8UK Airplay (Music Week) 6US Cash Box Top 100 68
+Chart (2025)PeakpositionRussia Streaming (TopHit)99
Year-end charts +Chart (1992)PositionUS Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) 12
Certifications
Release history +RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom7 October 1991WEAAustralia4 November 1991Japan10 November 1991Mini-CD
References
External links