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.
I've Got A Right
Oleta Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what's on your mind
We’re running out of time
I can tell from the look in your eyes
You’re making decsions with me in mind
If I asked you this before
But it’s hard to pin you down
You’re really puttin’ me in a bind
I've got a right to know the truth
Will you be loving me tomorrow?
Making plans for two
Will I be drowning in my sorrow
I really need to know
The truth about my chances
Of living with you
Or learning to live alone.
Ah yeah, oh oh yeah
It’s hard for me to know
Babe, I can’t read your mind
Just whe I think I’ve opened the door
You close it just in time
You call me back and then
Say you love me once again
Till I feel like I'm on a roller coaster
And it's getting out of hand.
I've got a right to know the truth
Will you be loving me tomorrow?
Making plans for two
Will I be drowning in my sorrow
I really need to know
The truth about my chances
Of living with you
Or learning to live alone.
In "I've Got A Right," Oleta Adams sings about her need for honesty in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that her partner is sending mixed signals and she is struggling to understand where she stands with them. Adams begs for an explanation, as she wants to know the truth about whether he plans on loving her in the future or if she is better off alone. She feels as if she is being put in a difficult position, and is unable to predict what her future holds. The song highlights the importance of communication and openness in a relationship - without it, any love may end up being shallow and short-lived.
The lyrics of "I've Got A Right" were written by her collaborator and mentor Curtiss Boone, who played a significant role in launching her music career. The song was released as a single in 1988, and became a hit in several countries, including the UK and New Zealand. It is often regarded as one of Adams's signature tunes, and has been covered by several other artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what's on your mind
Can you please share your thoughts with me?
We’re running out of time
We have limited time to discuss this.
I can tell from the look in your eyes
Your expression suggests something.
You’re making decisions with me in mind
You're considering my feelings when making choices.
If I asked you this before
Have I already discussed this topic with you?
But it’s hard to pin you down
It's difficult to get a clear answer from you.
With a chance to have everything mean nothing
You have the opportunity to make meaningless what we have.
You’re really puttin’ me in a bind
You're making me feel trapped and unsure of how to proceed.
I've got a right to know the truth
I deserve to hear the honest answer.
Will you be loving me tomorrow?
Will you still love me in the future?
Making plans for two
Are you committed to planning a future together?
Will I be drowning in my sorrow
Will I be devastated and heartbroken?
I really need to know
It's important for me to have clarity on this.
The truth about my chances
I need to understand the probability of a future together.
Of living with you
If we have a future, would it involve living together?
Or learning to live alone.
If there's no future, I need to come to terms with living alone.
Ah yeah, oh oh yeah
Vocal expression of emotion.
It’s hard for me to know
It's difficult for me to understand.
Babe, I can’t read your mind
I cannot know what you're thinking if you don't tell me.
Just when I think I’ve opened the door
I thought we made a breakthrough, but now it seems uncertain.
You close it just in time
You once again become evasive before I can gain clarity.
You call me back and then
You reach out to me again.
Say you love me once again
You express loving feelings to me again.
Till I feel like I'm on a roller coaster
Your mood swings make me feel dizzy and unsure of where we stand.
And it's getting out of hand.
This situation is escalating and becoming overwhelming.
Contributed by Jake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.