30 Songs About Adoption for Adoptive Families, Gotcha Days and Adoptees

What is a good song about adoption?

Three songs were written by parents about their own adopted children: "When Love Takes You In" by Steven Curtis Chapman, "Naleigh Moon" by Josh Kelley and "Amos Story" by Aaron Ivey. In worship music, Brandon Lake's "Adoption Song" is the modern favorite. For families with young kids, Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan, a story of an adoptive mother and child, is the one most families share.

Songs written by adoptive parents

1. "When Love Takes You In", Steven Curtis Chapman: written after his family adopted their daughters.
2. "Naleigh Moon", Josh Kelley: about adopting his daughter.
3. "Amos Story", Aaron Ivey: the story of bringing his son home.
4. "Cinderella", Steven Curtis Chapman: about dancing with his girls while they are little.

Songs about family and belonging

5. "You'll Be in My Heart", Phil Collins: from Tarzan, a promise from an adoptive mother.
6. "Feels Like Home", Chantal Kreviazuk: about finally belonging.
7. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts: every path led to this family.
8. "Make You Feel My Love", Adele: unconditional love.
9. "A Thousand Years", Christina Perri: for the long wait.
10. "Home", Phillip Phillips: a promise of a place to belong.
11. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: a simple promise.
12. "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)", John Lennon: a welcome for a son.
13. "Isn't She Lovely", Stevie Wonder: a welcome for a daughter.

Worship songs about adoption

14. "Adoption Song", Brandon Lake: about being chosen and brought into a family.
15. "Who You Say I Am", Hillsong Worship: about identity as a child of God.
16. "No Longer Slaves", Bethel Music: about being a child, not a stranger.
17. "Good Good Father", Chris Tomlin: about a father's love.
18. "You Say", Lauren Daigle: about worth and belonging.
19. "Love Came Down", Brian Johnson: a worship song many adoptive families love.

Movie songs about adoption and found family

20. "Look Through My Eyes", Phil Collins: from Brother Bear.
21. "Little Wonders", Rob Thomas: from Meet the Robinsons, a film about an orphan looking for family.
22. "Somewhere Out There", from An American Tail: about family members finding each other.
23. "Maybe", from Annie: an orphan dreaming about her parents.
24. "Tomorrow", from Annie: hope for a better day.
25. "Waiting on a Miracle", Stephanie Beatriz: from Encanto, about waiting to belong.
26. "Lost Boy", Ruth B.: about finding where you belong.

Songs for stepparent and foster families

27. "He Didn't Have to Be", Brad Paisley: a thank-you to a stepfather who chose to love.
28. "My Boy", Elvie Shane: a stepdad who chose his son.
29. "I Wonder", Kellie Pickler: about a mother who was not there.
30. "Both Sides Now", Joni Mitchell: many adoptees say this song speaks to them.

Songs for a gotcha day or adoption day

Many families celebrate the day the adoption was finalized, often called a gotcha day or family day. For a joyful celebration, "Count on Me", "Home" and "You'll Be in My Heart" work well with a slideshow of the journey. For an older child, let them choose a song too: the day belongs to them. Gift ideas are in our guide to the best adoption day gift.

Songs for adoptees

Adoption begins with a loss, and many adoptees have mixed feelings that songs about pure joy do not capture. Adult adoptees often mention "Both Sides Now", "I Wonder" and "Lost Boy" as songs that speak to their experience. When choosing music for an adopted child, especially a teenager, ask what they relate to rather than choosing only celebratory songs.

Songs for an adoption slideshow

For a video of the journey, open with "A Thousand Years" over the waiting months, move to "You'll Be in My Heart" or "Feels Like Home" for the first days together and close with "Home" or "Count on Me" over recent photos. Three songs cover about 150 photos.

Country songs about adoption

Country fans often choose "He Didn't Have to Be", "My Boy", "Bless the Broken Road" and "I Wonder". Together they cover the stepparent who stepped up, the family that came together the long way and the honest questions a child may carry.

Songs for adoptive parents waiting to adopt

The wait can be long and uncertain. "A Thousand Years", "Waiting on a Miracle" and "When Love Takes You In" are often shared by families in the process. Many keep a playlist they plan to play on the day their child comes home.

Songs for an adoption finalization in court

Some families play a song in the car on the way to court or at the celebration lunch afterward. "Bless the Broken Road", "Feels Like Home" and "Home" are favorites. Ask the court in advance if you would like to play anything in the courtroom itself.

A song written about your family's story

Every song above tells someone else's story. A personalized song can tell yours, in the way your family wants it told: the child's name, how you became a family, the first day home and the hopes you have for them. It makes a meaningful gotcha day, birthday or finalization gift, and a keepsake for the child when they are older. See our list of songs about having a baby and songs for my daughter.

How to create a song for your family

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, pop, country, gospel-inspired and more.
2. Add your child's name and yours.
3. Share three moments from your journey, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a private gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Celebrate your family with a song of its own: create a song and hear four previews for free.