Oleta Adams (born May 4, 1953, Seattle, Washington) is an American soul, ja… Read Full Bio ↴Oleta Adams (born May 4, 1953, Seattle, Washington) is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.

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 Just Had To Hear Your Voice
Oleta Adams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know you thought it best
That we spend a little time apart
But one night without you
Is so much for my heart
I know I promissed not to call
Sorry, but I didn't have a choice
I just had to hear your voice
Oh, please dont't be mad at me

'Cause I really did the best I could
Not to dial your number
But I didn't do much good
Hung up the phone so many times
'Til I really didn't have a choice

I just had to hear your voice
I had to know that you're okay
I couldn't get to sleep this way
And I had to hear you say hello
I had to
Because I love you so .
I know you thought it best
That we spend a little time apart
But I had to hear your voice

Though I know is just wasn't right
I just had to hear your sweet voice

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Oleta Adams's song "I Just Had To Hear Your Voice" expresses the singer's longing and desperation to connect with their loved one. The song begins with an acknowledgement from the singer that their partner thought it was best for them to spend some time apart. However, just one night away from them feels unbearable to the singer's heart. The singer then confesses that they promised not to call, but they couldn't resist the urge to hear their loved one's voice. The singer repeatedly mentions that they had no choice but to call and hear their lover say hello. Through the song, the singer expresses their love for their partner and their hope that they are doing okay.

This song beautifully finds the words for the unrelenting urge to connect with a loved one even when circumstances prevent us from being together. Although the song is specific about the circumstances of the separation, its meaning goes beyond that. It speaks to the larger human desire to be close to someone we love and the lengths that we will go to sustain that connection.

Line by Line Meaning

I know you thought it best
I am aware of your suggestion

That we spend a little time apart
To spend some time away from each other

But one night without you
A single night without your presence

Is so much for my heart
Hard for my heart to bear

I know I promissed not to call
I remember promising not to call

Sorry, but I didn't have a choice
Apologies but I couldn't help it

I just had to hear your voice
I had an intense desire to hear you speak

Oh, please dont't be mad at me
Please don't be angry with me

'Cause I really did the best I could
I tried my best

Not to dial your number
To refrain from calling you

But I didn't do much good
However, I was unsuccessful