Mama loves mambo, baby loves...Enya?

January 25, 2015 7:18 PM

I've found that my baby goes to sleep easier when listening to Enya. I can only listen to Orinoco Flow so many times before I kill myself. Can you help me find Enya-like music to add to the cue?

If it helps he also seems to like 'Celtic Woman' (lord help me...)

posted by Toddles to Media & Arts (27 answers total)

Norah Jones? "Come Away With Me" has kind of a dreamy lullaby feel.
posted by Flannery Culp at 7:21 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Check out Clannad.
posted by waterisfinite at 7:25 PM on January 25, 2015 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Celtic Dreamland
posted by corey flood at 7:27 PM on January 25, 2015

Helen and the Horns?

It's not the same genre, but it's low energy and pared down like Enya. Also, it's what I listen to at bedtime.
posted by Trifling at 7:27 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

"Now We Are Free" - Gladiator theme
posted by invisible ink at 7:33 PM on January 25, 2015

Perhaps you could do Raffi? My son loved Raffi and also the California Grapes. You have an advantage in that he used to say, "More Music!" when the tape player ended. Which, we don't have tapes now, do we?

You can choose the music and if he likes it, and you like it, fine. But realize you are the Mother, and any soothing music is okay. Please don't think a baby holds you hostage. That's the wrong way to go about life. You are the Mother and you choose for your child, but your child does not rule your life.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:38 PM on January 25, 2015

Loreena McKennitt, maybe?
posted by darksong at 7:39 PM on January 25, 2015 [8 favorites]

Maybe try Portishead? It's similarly low-key and mellow, and it put my second one RIGHT to sleep back in the day.
posted by Andrhia at 7:46 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

The soundtrack by Ennio Morricone to the film The Mission has a few tracks that might work. Here is a sample I found in the first few results on YT.
posted by evil_esto at 7:48 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Came here to suggest Loreena. Massive Attack, Portishead, maybe Future Sounds of London.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:49 PM on January 25, 2015

Emer Kenny? (Not the actress, the harp player.) Maybe Hilary Stagg too?

If Clannad turns out to work, Maire Brennan also has some solo stuff which might suit.
posted by dorque at 7:50 PM on January 25, 2015

Best answer: Afro Celt Sound System?
posted by Verdandi at 8:09 PM on January 25, 2015

Best answer: If the baby is really into the ethereal sound of it and not the beats part of it, he might like some very low key prog rock like the soundtrack to Aguirre Wrath of God by Popul Vuh. It's some of my "happy place" music and I have been known to like Enya.
posted by jessamyn at 8:12 PM on January 25, 2015 [3 favorites]

Best answer: "Now We Are Free" - Gladiator theme

See also: basically everything by Lisa Gerrard, Dead Can Dance, and all of Hans Zimmer's film scores.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:33 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Cocteau Twins, "Rilkean Heart."
posted by Monsieur Caution at 9:04 PM on January 25, 2015

For some reason, Enya hits just about the same spot in my brain that herion-addled 90s British rockers do, although they do tend to use waves of guitar as their instrumentation. But maybe baby likes feedback?

Not so much with the guitar:
Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space - Spiritualized
The Slide Song - Spiritualized
Electric Mainline - Spiritualized
Erik's Song - Slowdive

More noisy
Take Good Care of It - Spiritualized
Take Your Time - Spiritualized (maybe don't actually watch the video)
Ecstasy Symphony/Transparent Radiation - Spacemen 3 (this is much longer than the album version)

Probably too noisy, but babies are weird
Souvlaki Space Station - Slowdive
Emerald - Windy and Carl
posted by LionIndex at 9:18 PM on January 25, 2015

My friend loves Enya and the Lord of the Rings soundtrack in the same way.
posted by gatorae at 9:32 PM on January 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Adiemus aka Karl Jenkins
posted by foxfirefey at 12:00 AM on January 26, 2015

Sleepthief, maybe? Delerium?

Also nthing Portishead and Cocteau Twins as worth a try. Maybe also check out The Glove.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 1:10 AM on January 26, 2015

Stars of the Lid! Drony, dreamy, sleep-inducing and not at ALL Enya.
posted by amoeba at 5:23 AM on January 26, 2015

Maybe Sigur Ros?
posted by mskyle at 6:14 AM on January 26, 2015

Try the new Pink Floyd album The Endless River. It's basically an hour long instrumental prog rock tribute to Pink Floyd.
posted by elsietheeel at 6:17 AM on January 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Andreas Vollenweider is a new-age harpist that might fit the bill. Check out his album Down to the Moon.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 6:41 AM on January 26, 2015

The Paper Kites.
posted by The Deej at 6:43 AM on January 26, 2015

Enya and Enigma always went hand in hand in my mind. Ah the 90s......
posted by St. Peepsburg at 7:18 AM on January 26, 2015 [5 favorites]

Do you have Pandora? You could try just making an "Enya" station and let Pandora find a bunch of similar stuff. With just a little curating on your part you can probably get several hours of non repeating music with a similar sound. Seems like you might use it often enough that it would be worth the price of membership.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 10:58 AM on January 26, 2015 [2 favorites]

Not quite as soothing, but Blackmore's Night?
posted by serelliya at 2:31 PM on January 27, 2015