Book of Days (song)

"Book of Days" is a song released in two versions, both composed and recorded by Irish musician Enya. The original version, included on the 1991 album Shepherd Moons, was sung in Irish Gaelic. The subsequent 1992 single version was bilingual, with new English lyrics; this version was recorded for Ron Howard's film Far and Away, and scenes from the film feature in the video. The bilingual English-Irish version (2:56) replaced the original pure Gaelic version (2:34)[1] on subsequent pressings of Shepherd Moons from mid-1992 onwards, making the original recording relatively rare.

"Book of Days"
Single by Enya
from the album Shepherd Moons
B-side"Morning Glory"
ReleasedJuly 1992
Recorded1991
GenreNew-age
Length2:56
LabelWEA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Nicky Ryan
Enya singles chronology
"How Can I Keep from Singing?"
(1991)		 "Book of Days"
(1992)		 "The Celts"
(1992)
Music video
"Book of Days" on YouTube

Despite being nominated for a Razzie, "Book of Days" became Enya's second top-ten single on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 10, and reached number 12 on the Irish Singles Chart. It was used as a temp track during the editing of James Cameron's film Titanic, for the scene eventually accompanied by the musical cue called "Take Her To Sea, Mr. Murdoch" on the finished soundtrack by James Horner.[2]

Critical reception

Ned Raggett from AllMusic stated that the singer's "trademark understated drama [are] in full flow" on the "wonderful" song.[3] Gavin Report wrote, "This is a melodic and harmonic masterpiece with all the elements to make it a classic."[4] Music & Media said, "Taken from the motion picture Far and Away, this is the sung version of the original ethereal Clannad instrumental."[5] Music Week commented, that Enya's "latest sonic soundscape, Book Of Days, is typically mellifluous. Multi-textured yet as light as air".[6]

Track listing
German CD1
No.TitleLength
1."Book of Days"2:56
2."As Baile"4:03
3."Morning Glory"2:30
German CD2
No.TitleLength
1."Book of Days"2:56
2."On Your Shore"3:59
3."As Baile"4:03
UK limited edition
No.TitleLength
1."Book of Days"2:56
2."Watermark"2:24
3."On Your Shore"3:59
4."Exile"4:20
Japanese EP
No.TitleLength
1."Book of Days"2:56
2."As Baile"4:03
3."Angeles"3:47
4."Oriel Window"2:22
5."'S Fágaim Mo Bhaile"3:57
6."Caribbean Blue" (edit)3:40

Charts
Chart (1992) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[7] 111
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 26
Ireland (IRMA)[9] 12
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] 34
UK Singles (OCC)[11] 10

The song was used in a Toyota advertising campaign for the Carina E in the UK in the early 1990s. It was also used as background music during the Medal Ceremonies at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. Additionally, the Gaelic version of "Book of Days" was used as the title sequence of the Japanese film Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001).[12] It was also used in the “Endgame” episode of Robot Chicken, when Fabio takes the nerd to infinity and beyond.[13]

References
  1. "Enya Book of Days". Enya Official Fan Website. 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  2. "Filmtracks: Titanic (James Horner)". Filmtracks. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  3. Raggett, Ned. "Enya – Shepherd Moons". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  4. "A/C: Reviews" (PDF). Gavin Report. 22 May 1992. p. 26. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 8 August 1992. p. 12. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. "Mainstream: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 25 July 1992. p. 8. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  7. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 12 July 2016". Imgur.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9 no. 34. 22 August 1992. p. 23. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  9. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Book of Days". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  10. "Swedishcharts.com – Enya – Book of Days". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  11. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fle1aQ9rlOw
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12704108/



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