Orinoco Flow

{{About|the Enya single|the Enya tribute album by the Taliesin Orchestra|Orinoco Flow – The Music of Enya}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Orinoco Flow

| cover = OrinocoFlow cover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Enya

| album = Watermark

| B-side = "Smaoitím..." (d'Aodh agus do Mháire Uí Dhúgain)

"Out of the Blue"

| released = {{start date|df=yes|1988|10|3}}

| recorded =

| studio = * Aigle (Dublin, Ireland)

Orinoco (London, England)

| genre ={{hlist|New-age|pop}}

| length = 4:25

| label = WEA

| writer = * Enya

Roma Ryan

| producer = Nicky Ryan

| prev_title = I Want Tomorrow

| prev_year = 1987

| next_title = Evening Falls...

| next_year = 1988

| misc = {{External music video|

{{YouTube|LTrk4X9ACtw|"Orinoco Flow"}}}}

}}

"Orinoco Flow", also released as "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)", is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Enya from her second studio album, Watermark (1988). It was released on 3 October 1988 by WEA Records in the United Kingdom and by Geffen Records in the United States the following year. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks and received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Music Video and Best New Age Performance at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards. The Guardian ranked "Orinoco Flow" at number 77 on its list of the 100 greatest UK number-one singles in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/apr/27/the-100-greatest-uk-no-1s|title=The 100 greatest UK No 1s: 100-1|last1=Beaumont-Thomas|first1=Ben|last2=Petridis|first2=Alexis|last3=Snapes|first3=Laura|date=5 June 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=27 July 2020|issn=0261-3077}}

Background

The song was released as the lead single from Enya's studio album Watermark on 3 October 1988.{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=31|date=1 October 1988}} It became a global success, reaching number one in several countries, including Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, where it stayed at the top of the UK Singles Chart for three weeks. In the United States, the song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1989.

The title of the song is an allusion both to Orinoco Studios (now Miloco Studios), where it was recorded, and to the Orinoco river in South America. Its pizzicato chords were generated by customising a Roland D-50 synthesizer patch.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/enya-watermark/4506|title=Enya – Watermark|first=Mike|last=Collins|date=March 1989|magazine=Sound on Sound|volume=4|issue=6|access-date=16 April 2025}} Enya was signed to WEA by Rob Dickins, who served as executive producer of Watermark, and the song pays homage to Dickins in the line "with Rob Dickins at the wheel".{{cite web |title=YouTube | website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKUTC6M5OZY |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307041551/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKUTC6M5OZY |archive-date=7 March 2016 }}{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}} Co-producer Ross Cullum is referred to in the song with a pun on Ross Dependency: "We can sigh, say goodbye / Ross and his dependencies".{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Behind the Song: "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" by Enya |url=https://americansongwriter.com/sail-away-by-enya-behind-the-song/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}

=Lyrics=

The lyrics have been likened to "an itinerary for the most expensive gap year of all time",{{Cite news |date=3 November 2015 |title=Enya on her new album, living in a castle and the international appeal of her music |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34699044 |access-date=18 March 2021}} mentioning an array of locations like a "global geography lesson". Locations mentioned in the song include Fiji, Tiree, Peru, Bali, and Cebu.{{Cite web |date=18 November 2020 |title=Behind the Song: "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" by Enya |url=https://americansongwriter.com/sail-away-by-enya-behind-the-song/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}

= Legacy =

In 1994, the song was licensed to Virgin Records for the best-selling new-age music compilation album Pure Moods, which contributed to further exposure and "helped provide a multi-platinum bonanza" to the record company.

In 1998, a special-edition tenth-anniversary remix single was released.

In a 2015 interview with The Irish Times, Enya said: “Longevity is all any artist dreams of”, rather than to dwell on how her songs are remembered. She credits "Orinoco Flow" for some of her cross-generational appeal, saying: "people who used to like Orinoco Flow are now playing my music to their children".{{Cite news |title=Enya: 'Love can be difficult as boyfriends tend to get jealous when they learn I need space to write music' |language=en-GB |work=belfasttelegraph |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/enya-love-can-be-difficult-as-boyfriends-tend-to-get-jealous-when-they-learn-i-need-space-to-write-music-34217179.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |issn=0307-1235}} In another interview, when asked whether people bring up "Orinoco Flow", she responded: "people say 'sail away' to me or whistle bits of it back to me. I think it’s wonderful—I never tire of it."{{Cite web |date=15 November 2015 |title=Enya: 'I feel comfortable singing in a variety of languages' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/15/enya-dark-sky-island-album-feature |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Critical reception

Ned Raggett from AllMusic described the song as "distinct" and "downright catchy". He noted "its implicit dramatics, [that] gently charges instead of piling things on".{{cite web|first= Ned |last= Raggett |title= Enya – Watermark |publisher= AllMusic|access-date= 10 November 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/watermark-mw0000198831}}

Music video

A video was made to accompany the song. It features Enya singing the song in front of footage of rivers, flowers and nature, edited to have the appearance of a painting. It was directed by Michael Geoghegan.

Track listings

{{Track listing

| headline = 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=UK 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=WEA|id=YZ 312, 247 608-7}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Geffen Records|id=7-27633}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Geffen Records|id=4-27633}}

| title1 = Orinoco Flow

| note1 = edit

| length1 = 3:44

| title2 = Out of the Blue

| length2 = 3:10

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 12-inch and mini-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=WEA|id=YZ312T, 247 607-0}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Geffen Records|id=0-21129}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)|others=Enya|year=1988|type=UK mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=WEA|id=YZ312CD, 247 607-2}}

| title1 = Orinoco Flow

| length1 = 4:25

| title2 = Smaoitím...

| note2 = d'Aodh agus do Mháire Uí Dhúgain

| length2 = 6:05

| title3 = Out of the Blue

| length3 = 3:10

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese CD 3 Tracks EP (1990){{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow|others=Enya|year=1990|type=Japanese CD EP liner notes|publisher=WEA|id=WMC5-109}}

| title1 = Orinoco Flow

| note1 = 7-inch version

| length1 = 3:48

| title2 = Evening Falls...

| length2 = 3:49

| title3 = Storms in Africa

| note3 = single version

| length3 = 3:01

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese CD single (1998){{cite AV media notes|title=Orinoco Flow|others=Enya|year=1998|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=WEA|id=WPCR-1886}}

| title1 = Orinoco Flow

| length1 = 3:47

| title2 = Hope Has a Place

| length2 = 4:46

| title3 = Pax Deorum

| length3 = 4:57

| total_length =

}}

Charts

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/RPM/80s/1989/RPM-1989-04-01.pdf\|title=RPM 100 Singles\|magazine=RPM\|volume=49\|issue=22\|page=6\|date=March 27 - April 1, 1989\|access-date=8 February 2025}} \|4
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+Weekly chart performance for "Orinoco Flow" !Chart (1988–1989) !Peak position
{{single chart\|Australia\|6\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|8\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|1\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
scope="row"\|Denmark (IFPI)Danish Singles Chart. 16 December 1988. \|6
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-01-01.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=6\|issue=52\|page=15\|date=1 January 1989\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|1
scope="row"\|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book \|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=74\|first=Timo \|last=Pennanen \|year=2021 \|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 \|section=Enya\|page=74\|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava \|location=Helsinki\|access-date=17 May 2022}} \|5
{{single chart\|France\|16\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|1\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
scope="row" \|Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite web\|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php\|title=Classifiche\|work=Musica e dischi\|language=it\|access-date=28 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Enya". \|20
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|1\|year=1988\|week=49\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|1\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|2\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Norway\|5\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
scope="row"\|Portugal (AFP){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-03-04.pdf\|title=Top 3 Singles in Europe\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=6\|issue=9\|page=14\|date=4 March 1989\|access-date=1 April 2018}} \|3
{{single chart\|Sweden\|2\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|1\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|UK\|1\|date=19881029\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019\|refname="uk"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardhot100\|24\|artist=Enya\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019\|refname="hot100"}}
{{single chart\|Billboardadultcontemporary\|7\|artist=Enya\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
{{single chart\|Billboardalternativesongs\|6\|artist=Enya\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}
scope="row"\|US Cash Box Top 100{{cite web\|url=https://tropicalglen.com/Archives/80s_files/19890422.html\|title=Cash Box Top 100: April 22, 1089\|website=tropicalglen.com\|access-date=17 March 2022}} \|25
scope="row"\| US Adult Contemporary (Radio & Records){{cite magazine\|date=19 May 1989\|title=National Airplay Overview\|magazine=Radio & Records\|page=104\|id={{ProQuest\|1017213355}}}} \| 5
scope="row"\| US CHR (Radio & Records){{cite magazine\|date=14 April 1989\|title=National Airplay Overview\|magazine=Radio & Records\|page=112\|id={{ProQuest\|1017218647}}}} \| 25
scope="row"\| US New Rock (Radio & Records){{cite magazine\|date=27 January 1989\|title=New Rock\|magazine=Radio & Records\|page=76\|id={{ProQuest\|1017213248}}}} \| 7
{{single chart\|West Germany\|2\|artist=Enya\|song=Orinoco Flow\|songid=1880\|rowheader=true\|access-date=23 October 2019}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+1988 year-end chart performance for "Orinoco Flow" !Chart (1988) !Position
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web\|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1989\|title=Jaaroverzichten 1989\|publisher=Ultratop\|language=nl\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|56
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite web\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-01-01.pdf\|title=1988 Year End Eurocharts\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=6\|issue=52/1\|page=30\|date=1 January 1988\|access-date=14 January 2020}} \|83
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1988\|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|access-date=7 November 2020}} \|40
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1988&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988\|publisher=MegaCharts\|language=nl\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|23
scope="row"\|UK Singles (OCC){{cite book\|editor-first=Peter\|editor-last=Scaping\|title=BPI YearBook 1989/90\|chapter=Top 100 Singles: 1988\|publisher=British Phonographic Industry\|location=London, England\|pages=64–65\|date=1991\|isbn=978-0-9061-5410-6}} \|18

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+1988 year-end chart performance for "Orinoco Flow"

!Chart (1988)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1989|title=Jaaroverzichten 1989|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=23 October 2019}}

|56

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-01-01.pdf|title=1988 Year End Eurocharts|magazine=Music & Media|volume=6|issue=52/1|page=30|date=1 January 1988|access-date=14 January 2020}}

|83

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1988|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=7 November 2020}}

|40

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1988&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=23 October 2019}}

|23

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite book|editor-first=Peter|editor-last=Scaping|title=BPI YearBook 1989/90|chapter=Top 100 Singles: 1988|publisher=British Phonographic Industry|location=London, England|pages=64–65|date=1991|isbn=978-0-9061-5410-6}}

|18

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+1989 year-end chart performance for "Orinoco Flow" !Chart (1989) !Position
scope="row"\|Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/1989/singles-chart\|title=1989 ARIA Singles Chart\|publisher=ARIA\|access-date=29 August 2020}} \|43
scope="row"\|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6684&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6684.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6684\|title=Top 100 Single of '89\|magazine=RPM\|via=Library and Archives Canada\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|60
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-12-23.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1989\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=6\|issue=51\|page=6\|date=23 December 1989\|access-date=17 January 2020\|oclc=29800226\|via=World Radio History}} \|72
scope="row"\|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1989-12-31\|title=End of Year Charts 1989\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|34
scope="row"\|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web\|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1989\|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989\|language=de\|access-date=23 October 2019}} \|19
scope="row"\|West Germany (Media Control){{cite web\|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1989\|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989\|publisher=GfK Entertainment\|language=de\|access-date=1 November 2018}} \|20

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+1989 year-end chart performance for "Orinoco Flow"

!Chart (1989)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/1989/singles-chart|title=1989 ARIA Singles Chart|publisher=ARIA|access-date=29 August 2020}}

|43

scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6684&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6684.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6684|title=Top 100 Single of '89|magazine=RPM|via=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=23 October 2019}}

|60

scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1989/M&M-1989-12-23.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1989|magazine=Music & Media|volume=6|issue=51|page=6|date=23 December 1989|access-date=17 January 2020|oclc=29800226|via=World Radio History}}

|72

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/1989-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 1989|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=23 October 2019}}

|34

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1989|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989|language=de|access-date=23 October 2019}}

|19

scope="row"|West Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1989|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=1 November 2018}}

|20

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Orinoco Flow"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Enya| title=Orinoco Flow|award=Gold|relyear=2000|source=radioscope|access-date=15 December 2024|certyear=2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Enya|title=Orinoco Flow|award=Gold|id=enya-orinoco-flow|relyear=1988|certyear=2024|access-date=October 13, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Enya|title=Orinoco Flow|award=Gold|relyear=1988|certyear=2024|id=4933-151-1|access-date=5 January 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+Release dates and formats for "Orinoco Flow" !scope="col"\|Region !scope="col"\|Date !scope="col"\|Format(s) !scope="col"\|Label(s) !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
scope="row"\|United Kingdom \|3 October 1988 \|{{hlist\|7-inch vinyl\|12-inch vinyl\|CD}} \|rowspan="3"\|WEA \|
scope="row" rowspan="2"\|Japan \|25 February 1989 \|Mini-CD \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/5455/1/\|title=オリノコ・フロウ {{!}} エンヤ\|trans-title=Orinoco Flow {{!}} Enya\|publisher=Oricon\|language=ja\|access-date=24 February 2024}}
25 June 1990 \|CD \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/301962/1/\|title=オリノコ・フロウ {{!}} エンヤ\|trans-title=Orinoco Flow {{!}} Enya\|publisher=Oricon\|language=ja\|access-date=24 February 2024}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Release dates and formats for "Orinoco Flow"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|3 October 1988

|{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|12-inch vinyl|CD}}

|rowspan="3"|WEA

scope="row" rowspan="2"|Japan

|25 February 1989

|Mini-CD

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/5455/1/|title=オリノコ・フロウ {{!}} エンヤ|trans-title=Orinoco Flow {{!}} Enya|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=24 February 2024}}

25 June 1990

|CD

|{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/50256/products/301962/1/|title=オリノコ・フロウ {{!}} エンヤ|trans-title=Orinoco Flow {{!}} Enya|publisher=Oricon|language=ja|access-date=24 February 2024}}

In popular culture

After a wave of popularity, including regular rotation on MTV, the song became "a punch line",{{Cite web |last=Greiving |first=Tim |date=19 October 2018 |title=Sail Away: How Enya's "Orinoco Flow" Went From a Hit to a Punch Line to a Pop Culture Anthem |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2018/10/19/17996942/enya-orinoco-flow-sail-away-30-years |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=The Ringer |language=en}} representing a new-age cliché of "generic 'bubble bath' music". The song was used in scenes depicting relaxation and to highlight this in a jokey manner. In the 1997 South Park episode "Death", Stan Marsh (Trey Parker)'s grandfather Marvin Marsh (Parker) locks Stan in a room and plays a parody of the song performed by Toddy Walters to illustrate what it feels like to be old. In the 2017 Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode "Crime and Punishment", character Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) mentions Enya as one of his favorite musical artists. Later on, "Orinoco Flow" plays as he walks, in slow motion, into a courtroom. Producer Dan Goor remarked, “We weren’t trying to attach ourselves to a history of making fun of it. The joke was just that it’s 100 percent the wrong music to play. It’s supposed to be this triumphant, badass moment, and instead we’re playing that song.”

In the 2002 I'm Alan Partridge episode "The Talented Mr. Alan", Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) is caught singing the song to himself. The song is in "Funeral", the 2003 sixth episode of the first series of Peep Show; the video is shown and the song plays over the end credits. The song is played during Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dorhn)'s announcement scene in the 2010 film Shrek Forever After. It is in the 2010 first season episode, "Letting You Go", of Cougar Town. The song was briefly played during a monster cruise commercial in the 2018 film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. The song was also used as the title song for the Netflix comedy-drama series Living with Yourself starring Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea.

Alternatively, the song is used in media to create a dissonance between its calmness and starkly contrasting visuals. The song is featured during a sequence in David Fincher's 2011 adaptation of the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, in which Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is tortured while the song plays. In the 2016 Black Mirror episode "Hated in the Nation", one of the characters listens to the song to relax "shortly before she’s torn apart by murderous drones" and effectively returned "Orinoco Flow" to the top of the new-age charts after the episode was released.

An exception to this is the use of the song in the 2018 Bo Burnham film Eighth Grade. Burnham wrote to Enya directly for permission to use the song, and recognized it as a serious choice for the film; "in Eighth Grade, 'Orinoco Flow' finally gets to be itself" rather than "fodder for ironic laughs".{{Cite web |last=O'Neal |first=Sean |date=15 October 2018 |title=Eighth Grade and the Pop-Culture Redemption of Enya's 'Orinoco Flow' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/the-pop-culture-redemption-of-enyas-orinoco-flow.html |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}

=Advertisement=

In 1991, the song featured in an advert for Dulux paint.{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201092207/https://www.enyabookofdays.com/articles/sm-5.htm|url=https://www.enyabookofdays.com/articles/sm-5.htm|title=Enya Book of Days:Shepherd Moons Article|date=15 November 1991|archive-date=1 February 2012|url-status=dead}}

=Other references=

"Orinoco Flow" has been used in reference to various object names including an iris cultivar Orinoco Flow by iris breeder Cy Bartlett in 1989,{{cite web | url=http://www.worldiris.com/public_html/wif/WI_Iris/Orinoco_Flow.html| title=Orinoco Flow | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512060146/http://www.worldiris.com/public_html/WIF/WI_Iris/Orinoco_Flow.html|date=12 May 2013|archive-date=12 May 2013 | url-status=dead}}, at WorldIris.com; published 2004; retrieved 30 September 2012. and Leporinus enyae, a species of fish from the Orinoco drainage basin named for the artist herself.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2017 |title=New Orinoco fish named after Enya |url=https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/fishkeeping-news/new-orinoco-fish-named-after-enya/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |website=Practical Fishkeeping}}

In the 2017 ITV tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, Prince Harry recalls his mother listening to Enya driving in her BMW with the top down.{{cite video |title=Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy |publisher=ITV |year=2017}}

AIDA cruise ships play this song often when they are put to sea {{cite web | url=https://www.kreuzfahrt-coach.de/aida-cruises/aida-auslaufsong/ | title=AIDA Auslaufsong beim Sail Away - Kreuzfahrt-Coach.de | Tipps & Infos für Kreuzfahrt-Urlauber | date=31 August 2022 }}