The Humming
by Enya

Album: Dark Sky Island (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Enya musing on the cycle of the universe and how change affects everything. Her producer Nicky Ryan recalled: "It began when, after writing the melody line, Enya started humming a small part of the melody."

    "It's rather appropriate as the title refers to the sound of the early universe which is at around 47 octaves below the lowest note on the piano keyboard. Scientists have compressed this extremely low frequency vibration that the Planck space telescope picked up so that it would be audible to us. It has a humming sound."
  • Lyricist Roma Ryan: "The title refers to the sound of our early universe. Obviously, the sound is totally inaudible to the human ear, but scientists have now been able to compress their findings from the Planck Space Telescope, so that they can give us an audible rendering of the waves at the beginning of our universe, the result of which could be described as a constant humming sound."

    "The lyric moves on from this beginning and muses on how, from the smallness of the sub-atomic domain to the gigantic regions of the heavens, there is a certain irony that one constant in the flow of existence is change. One thing can become another. Atoms can become molecules. The two elements of Hydrogen and Oxygen can become water."

    "At the end of its cycle of life as a sun, the sun itself can change to become a supernova. These supernovae seed our planets and earthforms. Trees decay and fall, and from their demise a family of fungi arise to help with regeneration in the cycle of life. Clouds that are born from risen water can then dissolve into rain, which falls to become river or ocean, which once again, in some part, becomes the risen water forming the clouds. Man is only one part of the whole cycle. What a wonderful, complex system surrounds him."

Comments: 1

  • Henry@celtic Man from Dartmouth Devon UkIts a profound celestial piece of music, You have come along way since the 80s, can remember at the 1982 Leeds Music Festival, listening to her singing and playing her Harp with all the Family that was aspecial performance that evening. So thank you Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma for all the wonderful mucic over the years, at lease I know A I will never repace the human mind and solo
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Album Cover Inspirations

Album Cover InspirationsSong Writing

Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?