Adiemus

Album: Songs of Sanctuary (1995)
Charted: 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jenkins is a British composer who created this unusual orchestral piece. The vocals are not real words, but sounds that Jenkins created to go with the music, essentially using the voice as an instrument. On his website, Jenkins tells the story of the song. He made up the word "Adiemus," and later learned that it roughly translates in Latin to "We will draw near." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Joss - Melbourne, Australia
  • Jenkins was working on this piece when he was commissioned to write music for a Delta Airlines television commercial. He submitted "Adiemus," and it was used in the spots, which got a great response. Jenkins then expanded the piece, eventually releasing several albums of Adiemus material. Jenkins also composed the orchestral music for the iconic DeBeers diamonds campaign featuring couples shown in silhouette and the tagline, "A diamond is forever."
  • Jenkins was a member of the progressive rock group Soft Machine between 1972 and 1984. He played keyboards, saxophone and oboe during his time with the band.
  • This was used as the theme music to the mid 1990s BBC TV program Testament: The Bible in Animation.
  • The song's vocalist, Miriam Stockley, was also a member of Praise who had an UK Top 10 hit in 1991 with "Only You." In 1997 Stockley was a backing vocalist on Katrina & the Waves' Eurovision Song Contest winning song "Love Shine a Light."

Comments: 1

  • Nik from UkOMG I am so glad I’m not going mad! I always thought it was the King of Egypt that had an amazing soundtrack and was so disappointed to not hear this song, but it was the BBC Bible series!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."