# Anywhere Is

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"**Anywhere Is**" is a song by Irish singer [Enya](/source/Enya), released on 6 November 1995 by [WEA](/source/Warner_Music_Group) as the lead single from her fourth studio album, *[The Memory of Trees](/source/The_Memory_of_Trees)* (1995). The lyrics of the song are in English, written by [Roma Ryan](/source/Roma_Ryan) and it was produced by [Nicky Ryan](/source/Nicky_Ryan). The song peaked at number seven on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) and became a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland. On the [Eurochart Hot 100](/source/Eurochart_Hot_100), the song peaked at number 36. Its music video was directed by David Scheinmann.[1][better source needed]

## Background

"Anywhere Is" developed from a [staccato](/source/Staccato) line that Enya has described had a "march feel". Initially it was a track that she and producer [Nicky Ryan](/source/Nicky_Ryan) wanted to reject for the album *[The Memory of Trees](/source/The_Memory_of_Trees)*. But it was developed further after [Rob Dickins](/source/Rob_Dickins), then chairman of [Warner Music UK](/source/Warner_Music_Group) who had signed Enya, was invited to Ireland in August 1995 to listen to the album, roughly one year-and-a-half into the recording process.[2] It was only its backing tracks that had been put down, but Dickins sensed the song had the makings of a hit single and encouraged them to complete it; it was the final track of the new album to be worked on. Enya's melody for the song inspired [Roma Ryan](/source/Roma_Ryan) to write lyrics about, as *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* magazine put it, "the search for the temporal heaven all cultures call 'home'", a subject that Enya felt was important as she only writes and rehearses her songs in Ireland. Dickins received a dedication on the album's sleeve in Gaelic.[3]

## Critical reception

[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) editor Rick Anderson constated that Enya has "a truly lovely voice", and added that there's no point trying to resist the "incantatory power" of "Anywhere Is". [Larry Flick](/source/Larry_Flick) from *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* magazine described the song as "an exhilarating uptempo pop [waltz](/source/Waltz) that will turn any car, den, or front stoop into an otherworldly tabernacle of sound." He complimented the singer for her "remarkable ability to inspire listeners is undiminished on this richly layered feast of melody-a throbbing secular [hymn](/source/Hymn) about life's search for fulfillment."[4] A reviewer from *Crawley News* wrote that the song "sounds fabulous".[5] [James Masterton](/source/James_Masterton) for *[Dotmusic](/source/Dotmusic)* felt that it's "if anything slightly more commercial than many of her previous hits, with a light, almost poppy sound."[6] Dave Sholin from the *[Gavin Report](/source/Gavin_Report)* found that "Enya has developed a truly distinctive style. Those of us who became fans early on love to convert the unitiated, and this song is bound to bring many more into the flock. Count on another magnificent video to accompany this very commercial track."[7]

British magazine *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)* gave "Anywhere Is" a full score of five out of five and named it Single of the Week, adding, "Back with a vengeance, Enya's meanderings are given a jauntier air, with the familiar building chorus forming a strong [hook](/source/Hooks_(music))."[8] Michelle Boucher from *[The Observer](/source/Case_Western_Reserve_University)* complimented the song for having "a nice rhythm".[9] Steven Johnson from *[The Record](/source/The_Record_(Bergen_County))* remarked its "spirited melody", that is the furthest away from her usual "tried-and-true" musical formula.[10] *[Toledo Blade](/source/Toledo_Blade)'*s reviewer described it as "positively upbeat".[11] Mike Joyce from *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)* felt the song "highlight Enya's often overlooked pop sensibility", "with its wondrously spun harmonies, swiftly revolving melody and resonating backbeat".[12]

## Chart performance

"Anywhere Is" entered the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) at number 12 on 12 November 1995 and peaked at number seven the next week.[13] It was also a top-10 hit in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland and a top-20 hit the Netherlands.[14][15][16] On the [Eurochart Hot 100](/source/Eurochart_Hot_100), "Anywhere Is" reached number 36 on 16 December.[17] Outside Europe, the song peaked at number 34 in Australia and number 62 in Canada.[14][18] It received a [silver certification](/source/Music_recording_certification) in the United Kingdom, shipping over 200,000 units.[19]

## Charts

### Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Anywhere Is" Chart (1995–1996) Peak position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 36 Europe (European Hit Radio)[20] 11 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 14 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[15] 3 Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[22] 8 Poland (Music & Media)[23] 1

### Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Anywhere Is" Chart (1995) Position UK Singles (OCC)[24] 55

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Anywhere Is" Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. Australia 6 November 1995 CD · cassette WEA [25] United Kingdom [26] Japan 10 December 1995 CD [27] United States 12 December 1995 Contemporary hit radio Reprise [28] Japan (re-release) 25 May 1997 CD WEA [29]

## References

1. ["Anywhere Is (1995) by Enya"](https://imvdb.com/video/enya/anywhere-is). IMDb.com. Retrieved 18 October 2018.

1. Gorman, Paul (20 November 1995). ["Enya: Conjuring up More Studio Magic"](https://web.archive.org/web/20211206054514/http://enyabookofdays.com/articles/tmot-2.htm). *Music Week*. Archived from [the original](http://enyabookofdays.com/articles/tmot-2.htm) on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2017.

1. Gritten, David (7 January 1996). ["Enya Dreams"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210213015411/http://www.enyabookofdays.com/articles/tmot-13.htm). *Los Angeles Times*. Archived from [the original](http://www.enyabookofdays.com/articles/tmot-13.htm) on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2016.

1. Flick, Larry (16 December 1995). ["Single Reviews"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-12-16.pdf). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. p. 100. Retrieved 4 February 2020.

1. "Band's hectic gig schedule". *Crawley News*. 17 January 1996. page 25.

1. Masterton, James (12 November 1995). ["Week Ending November 18th 1995"](https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1995/week-ending-november-18th-1995). *Chart Watch UK*. Retrieved 28 September 2021.

1. Sholin, Dave (24 November 1995). ["Gavin Picks > Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/95/Gavin-1995-11-24.pdf). *[Gavin Report](/source/Gavin_Report)*. No. 2082. p. 46. Retrieved 16 April 2018.

1. ["Reviews: Singles - Single of the Week"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-10-28.pdf). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 28 October 1995. p. 18. Retrieved 13 May 2021.

1. Boucher, Michelle (23 February 1996). ["Enya falls into formulaic mediocrity"](https://newspapers.case.edu/cgi-bin/cwru?a=d&d=OBS19960223-01.2.32). *[The Observer](/source/Case_Western_Reserve_University)*. Retrieved 23 April 2020.

1. Johnson, Steven C. (21 January 1996). ["Enya"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160911093254/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22500082.html). *The Record (Bergen County, New Jersey)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22500082.html) on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016. – via HighBeam Research.

1. ["Sounds: "The Memory Of Trees" Enya"](https://books.google.com/books?id=-gMqAAAAIBAJ). *[Toledo Blade](/source/Toledo_Blade)*. 24 December 1995. Retrieved 12 March 2020.

1. Joyce, Mike (7 January 1996). "Enya's `Trees': That Eire Quality". *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. p. G10.

1. uk

1. charts

1. ["Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (23.12.1995–05.01.1996)"](https://timarit.is/page/2935205#page/n39/mode/2up) (in Icelandic). *[Dagblaðið Vísir](/source/Dagbla%C3%B0i%C3%B0_V%C3%ADsir)*. p. 44. Retrieved 4 February 2018.

1. ire

1. ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-16.pdf). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 12, no. 50. 16 December 1995. p. 15. Retrieved 12 March 2018.

1. can

1. ukcert

1. ["EHR Top 40"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-02-03.pdf). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 13, no. 5. 3 February 1996. p. 21. Retrieved 12 December 2025.

1. Pennanen, Timo (2021). ["Enya"](https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=74). *Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021*. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 74. Retrieved 17 May 2022.

1. ["Major Market Airplay: Italy"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-02-03.pdf). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 13, no. 5. 3 February 1996. p. 23.

1. ["Major Market Airplay – Week 49/1995"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-09.pdf). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 12, no. 49. 9 December 1995. p. 23. Retrieved 1 February 2021.

1. "Top 100 Singles 1995". *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 13 January 1996. p. 9.

1. "New Releases – Product Available from : 6/11/95: Singles". *[The ARIA Report](/source/The_ARIA_Report)*. No. 299. 5 November 1995. p. 20.

1. ["New Releases: Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-11-04.pdf). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 4 November 1995. p. 43. Retrieved 29 June 2021.

1. ["エニホエア・イズ | エンヤ"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/308102/1/) [Anywhere Is | Enya] (in Japanese). [Oricon](/source/Oricon). Retrieved 29 August 2023.

1. ["Selected New Releases"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1995/RR-1995-12-08.pdf). *[Radio & Records](/source/Radio_%26_Records)*. No. 1124. December 8, 1995. p. 32. Retrieved August 12, 2021.

1. ["エニホエア・イズ | エンヤ"](https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/306557/1/) [Anywhere Is | Enya] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 29 August 2023.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Anywhere Is](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anywhere_Is) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anywhere_Is?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.