No. 114 - Enya’s “May It Be” changed my life
Savannah Plunkett wasn’t allowed to watch Lord of the Rings, but she was allowed to listen to the soundtrack
This Song Changed My Life is an independent music publication featuring weekly essays from people all around the world about the songs that mean the most to them. Created (and illustrated) by Grace Lilly.
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• 3 min read •
I grew up in a cult. That’s my favorite go-to line to jumpstart a conversation with someone I’m getting to know. It’s my little fun fact that I enjoy randomly dropping at friend gatherings. It’s an instant ice breaker, immediately everyone wants to know everything about how that came about.
I tell them my dad grew up in an alleged cult called The Way International, while my mom was initiated later in her life, as a young, impressionable adult trying to make her way through the world. When they had me, I was a member by default until I was five. I was then moved to Florida and thrown into a new school. Unbeknownst to me, my parents had made the life-changing decision to leave The Way after finding out about the many sexual misconduct allegations made against the leader at the time.
Because my parents were super religious, my music choices were very limited growing up. Even after we left The Way, it took them years to slowly unlearn things they had been taught. So the only CDs I had at my disposal were a few country albums and various film soundtracks.
We had one huge pile of CDs, stacked precariously on top of one another. I remember being so fascinated by them. My parents demonstrated how to take the shiny round mirrors and place them in the radio to create noise, and my life changed. One CD truly captivated me; I played it over and over until the scratches I inevitably made caused it to skip. It was the soundtrack from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
One track, Enya’s “May It Be,” still moves me deeply to this day. The lyrics are mostly in English, with a few words sung in Elvish — a fully constructed language created by J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the books that inspired the films. One line from the song continues to resonate:
Believe and you will find your way
It speaks directly to a personal truth of mine. I’ve always struggled with the fear of the unknown — whether it’s stepping into a new chapter of my life or taking a smaller leap into unfamiliar territory in my day-to-day. But over time, I’ve learned that simply believing and trusting that I’ll be okay gives me the strength to face whatever challenges come my way. That belief helps me navigate uncertainty and find my own path forward.
Enya is still one of my favorite artists to listen to, especially to relax. There’s no better way to describe her music than by saying that it’s otherworldly.
In 2023, my best friend and I experienced the Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack live for the first time at Radio City Music Hall. Since then, we’ve returned to hear the scores from the other Lord of the Rings films performed live as well. There may have been some nostalgic tears. Live music will do that to you. It moves something in the soul, I think.
“May It Be,” along with the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack, awakened my passion for the arts. It began with music, inspiring me to play French horn for eight years in an orchestra. It also sparked a deep appreciation for film that continues to shape how I see and experience storytelling today. My parents did not allow me to watch Lord of the Rings when I was growing up, but I was allowed to listen to the soundtracks. Listening made me so curious to know everything I could about the films. When I finally reached an age my parents deemed appropriate, I watched the whole trilogy in one sitting. From that moment, my love for fantasy flourished, deepening my already avid love of reading.
Art, to me, is one of the most important aspects that defines humanity.
In a world that can seem dead set on highlighting our differences, art’s ability to reach people and to create understanding across cultures is vital.
I encourage you to seek out the soundtracks to your favorite films, and to listen. ◆
About Savannah
Savannah Plunkett lives in Brooklyn and incorporates art into her everyday life as much as possible. She listens to film soundtracks almost daily — it’s a great way to get things done at work.
Instagram @savannahplu
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Gaby Muiño (No. 090)
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Categories
Friendship • Family • Coming of Age • Romance • Grief • Spirituality & Religion • Personal Development
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