Why Enya Turned Down the Titanic Soundtrack
Enya was approached to compose the score for Titanic but declined, choosing creative independence over collaboration. Her decision stands in contrast to the many who eagerly joined the film’s production.
Few choices are as daunting as the ones that might lead to something extraordinary. Even when our instincts urge us to walk away, the prospect of a glittering opportunity can cloud the sharpest judgement. Yet, when Enya was invited to contribute to the soundtrack for Titanic, her response was unwavering. She declined, and did so without hesitation, setting herself apart from nearly everyone else involved in the project.
James Cameron’s Persuasive Power
It wasn’t as though every participant was immediately convinced by the director’s vision. When James Cameron first pitched his idea to 20th Century Fox as “Romeo and Juliet on the Titanic”, the studio was sceptical. Still, they were willing to listen, largely because of Cameron’s established reputation for box office success. The hope was that he might deliver another action-packed blockbuster, but ultimately, they agreed simply to keep him on board. Cameron had a knack for persuading people to back his more ambitious schemes, whether it was developing Avatar before the technology existed or securing funds to send the Titanic crew to the actual wreck site. His fascination with shipwrecks was well-known, and he managed to turn his personal interests into studio-funded ventures.
The director’s ability to secure support didn’t end there. He convinced the financial team to approve a record-breaking $200 million budget, making Titanic the most expensive film of its time. He persuaded the original shipbuilders to grant access to their private archives and blueprints. Even Kate Winslet, then a rising star, personally rang him to plead for a part. Cameron seemed to possess a certain magic, drawing people in and prompting them to say yes. But this charm did not extend to Enya.
Enya’s Reluctance to Collaborate
While writing the script, Cameron often listened to Enya’s music, and he had always intended to approach her for the soundtrack. Yet, she was among the rare few to turn him down.
“James Cameron, he approached and sent the script, but what happened was when we were talking about the end song, it was to be a collaboration, and that’s something that I’ve actually never done,”
she explained. Cameron, known for his meticulous attention to detail, appeared to want some influence over the musical direction. This echoed the process that led to ‘My Heart Will Go On’, where composer James Horner wrote the piece and Celine Dion provided the vocals.
Enya, however, was not interested in such an arrangement.
“I get to write the song, I sing,”
she said of her usual approach.
“I’ve always written the melodies, so I find it kind of strange,”
she added, before concluding,
“and I was working on an album, so I just said it wasn’t going to happen if it was a collaboration.”