During the wait for their child, adoptive parents look for positive ways to document their experience and making home videos is a very popular choice. Common in international adoption, adoptive parents often look for music, quotes and poetry to enhance the images in the video of their adoption journey. Although any music can be used to compliment videos of adoption trips, these songs are written by people who have been touched by adoption or the theme of the song focuses on adoption.
Gospel and Christian Adoption Music
In 2008, newly adoptive parents Lynette and Chuck Giacinto created Adoptive Music to provide adoptive families music that expresses the thoughts and feelings that are at the heart of any adoption. To date, they have released three cds that are being well-received by all adoptive families and especially those whose children were adopted from China.
- Lullabies: For China’s Daughters and Their Adoptive Families (2006) featuring singer/songwriters Lynnette and Chuck Giacinto.
- The Spirit of Adoption (2006) which is a compilation by artists whose lives have been touched by adoption including Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore and Sandi Patty.
- Polly and Me (2008) comprised of a cd and book featuring a storyline about a little girl living in a Chinese orphanage and includes Now That I Have You, performed by Chuck Giacinto and Garrett R. Hall.
In addition to contributing to The Spirit of Adoption album, Steven Curtis Chapman has many songs appropriate for adoption journey videos including Meant to Be which is included on the soundtrack of the VeggiesTales movie, It’s a Meaningful Life, released October 2010.
Rock, Rap and Pop Adoption Songs
Aside from providing the musical background for adoption videos, songs can also help adoptees and adoptive parents give voice to what is in their hearts.
Adoptees Zara Phillips and Darryl McDaniels have collaborated on the rap/rock alternative song "I’m Legit" (2009) to help draw attention to the importance of opening adoption records for adoptees. McDaniels, of RUN DMC fame, also performs a remake of "Cat’s in the Cradle" called " Just Like Me " (2005) with fellow adoptee Sarah McLachlan.
Waiting adoptive parent Thomas Hicks wrote the song "Waiting" (2007) to help raise funds for the international adoption process. He and his wife have successfully adopted their daughter, but the song can still be purchased through their website.
Folk and Blues Music With Adoption Themes
Offering musicians a heartfelt medium in which to sing about all aspects of adoption, the folks and blues genre boasts several adoption-themed songs that are popular for adoption videos.
"Love Takes The Best Of You" (2001) by Catie Curtis was inspired by her niece’s adoption from Cambodia. After adopting her own daughter from Guatemala, Curtis created the album Long Night Moon (2006) which chronicles the wait for her daughter to come home.
Singer-songwriters Lucy Kaplansky and Tim Chauvin have used their musical talents to leave a legacy for their children adopted from China. Kaplansky’s album The Red Thread (2004) was written after she adopted her daughter and is a favourite among adoptive families. On his Winds of Change album (2003), Chauvin recorded "Daughters of China" which is dedicated to all the children adopted from China and their birth families.
Adding adoption-themed music to home videos of a family’s adoption journey not only adds a lyrical element, it also encourages adoption music to be included in the family’s music collection. When the music covers all aspects of adoption – both celebrating family and recognizing loss – it can make a lifelong impact for everyone in the adoptive family, especially the children.
Sources:
Grown in My Heart Blog. (accessed January 25, 2011).
Adoptive Families Magazine Website (accessed January 25, 2011).
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
