Vocal powerhouse Christina Aguilera has returned to music in a beautifully inspiring way. On Friday, the pop star released a lyric video to the emotive ode “Change,” a new song that was recorded for the victims of the devastating Orlando Pulse shooting. The touching tune, which Aguilera debuted at the stroke of midnight on her official Twitter profile, is the first song the singer has released since her contribution to the Finding Neverland soundtrack, “Anywhere But Here,” in 2015.
We are all in this together, as one, united in love. xo #Change https://t.co/JJHxSWNhpI https://t.co/H5k0SRNCo4
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) June 17, 2016
In a sweet and loving note on her website , Aguilera states that “Change” was created in an attempt to unify the world following the June 12 massacre at the Florida-based LGBT+ nightclub.
The horrific tragedy that occurred in Orlando continues to weigh heavily on my mind. I am sending so much love and so many prayers to the victims and their families. Like so many, I want to help be part of the change this world needs to make it a beautiful inclusive place where humanity can love each other freely and passionately.
We live in a time of diversity, in a time of endless possibilities, in a time where expression of oneself is something to be celebrated. And I am left wondering how people filled with so much love could be taken by so much hate.
Though there is such heavy sadness I believe that there is much more love in the world than we know. We need to learn to love again, we need to learn that one person does make a difference; we need to keep love in our hearts. As Nelson Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
We all have the choice to spread love, encourage individuality and make a difference to others – we are all in this together, as one, united in love.
Sending all my love, thoughts and prayers, xo Xtina
In an effort to assist the survivors and the families of the slain, all iTunes sales from “Change” will go directly to the National Compassion Fund, a non-profit organization that was created to help those who have been affected by mass crimes, such as the shooting in Orlando.
“Many funds that raise money in the name of crime victims are not under any legal obligation to give that money to the victims or their families,” the foundation’s mission statement reads. “They may collect excessive administrative fees or conceal the amount donated or how it’s distributed. Others are outright scams. The National Compassion Fund was set up to address this lack of transparency and accountability. It honors the wishes of the donor, and serves the direct needs of victims.” Aguilera’s label, RCA Music, and the song’s publisher, BMG Platinum Songs US, have also promised to donate proceeds from “Change” to the National Compassion Fund.
No word on whether or not “Change” will appear on her highly anticipated seventh studio album, which Aguilera has allegedly been working on since the birth of her daughter, Summer Rain, in late 2014.
[Photo by Steve Jennings / Stringer / Getty Images]