Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.
Adams started her career in 1980 with two self-financed albums which had limited success. In 1985, she was discovered by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, founders of the famous English pop band Tears for Fears whilst performing in a Kansas City, Missouri bar. They invited her to join their band as a singer to their next album The Seeds of Love.
In 1989, the LP was released and the single "Woman In Chains" - sung as a duet by Adams and Orzabal and with Phil Collins on drums - became her real first hit. Oleta started her solo career in 1990 assisted by Orzabal who did the production. Her debut album Circle of One received much critical acclaim and she scored her biggest hit to date in 1991 with her cover of Brenda Russell's "Get Here". 1991 also saw Oleta contribute to the Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute album, Two Rooms, on which appeared her version of John's 1974 hit "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me".
Her next album Evolution was also a commercial success. Her 1995 release, Moving On, saw Oleta move more in the direction of R&B. Two years later she released the Christian themed Come Walk With Me.
Adams' smooth sumptuous contralto voice has become the vanguard in an R&B jazz segment that was largely vacant during Anita Baker's hiatus.
In 2001, Adams released her sixth album, All The Love, a return to an R&B/Adult contemporary sound. The album was re-released in 2004 in Germany with a different title I Can't Live a Day without You.
In 2004, Adams reunited with Tears for Fears once again as she made a surprise guest appearance onstage at their Kansas City concert, performing "Woman in Chains".
Adams released her first Christmas album on 3 October 2006, entitled Christmas Time with Oleta.
A secular album entitled Let's Stay Here, was released on April 21, 2009.
Embraceable You
Oleta Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
The song "Embraceable You" by Oleta Adams is a classic love song that talks about the importance of embracing the person you love. The lyrics "Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you! Embrace me, you irreplaceable you!" stresses the importance of holding and embracing the person they love. This is reinforced by the lines "Above all, I want my arms about you!" which implies that the singer's love is eager to hold and be intimate with their love interest.
The lyrics "Just one look at you, my heart grew tipsy in me," suggests that the singer falls in love at first sight and that their love for the other person is true and pure. The lines "You and you alone bring out the gypsy in me!" showcase the impact that the love interest has on the singer, implying that they bring out a certain passion and excitement in them.
However, the lines "Don't be a naughty baby, come to papa, do!" suggest that the singer is trying to coax their love interest into a romantic encounter upon confession of their love. Overall, the song paints a picture of someone who has been completely mesmerized and smitten by their love interest and is willing to do whatever it takes to be with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you!
Hold me tight, you are the one I can never replace in my life!
Just one look at you
My heart grew tipsy in me,
You and you alone
Bring out the gypsy in me!
The moment I saw you, my heart skipped a beat and my mind was filled with joy. You have the power to make me feel adventurous and free!
I love all, the many charms about you!
Above all, I want my arms about you!
There are many things that make me love you, but the most important thing is the feeling of holding you in my arms.
Don't be a naughty baby,
Come to papa, come to papa, do!
My sweet embraceable you!
Don't be stubborn, come to me and let me hold you because you are the only one who can make me feel complete.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rhubarb 68
If this doesn’t transport you to another realm, I don’t know what will …
Sheer magnificence.
Andrea Nicolo De Candia
Thank you for existing, dear special Oleta!
1jim p
the BEST~!~ \o/
Dexter Wilson
Beautiful voice and song.