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.
Never Knew Love
Oleta Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turns round and round
And I know the sun
Comes up before it goes down
I just can't explain it, Baby
But I know it's honestly true
And I know your love
Another mystery, Baby
I know it's plain to see
And it's clear to you
Like the world turning round
I can always count on you
I never knew love like this before
Now my heart's like an open door
I never knew love like this before
I really thought I knew love
They say that love is everything before you came
You really couldn't prove it by me
But you've changed my view
Baby, just believing in you
I've got this funny feeling
Way down inside
Lovin' you, Boy is always on my mind
I never knew love like this before
Now my heart's like an open door
I never knew love like this before
I really thought I knew love
I never knew love like this before
Now my heart's like an open door
I never knew love like this before
I really thought I knew love
I never knew love couls feel this way before
You gave me joy, happiness and so much more
I never knew love couls feel this way before
I really thought I knew love
The song Never Knew Love by Oleta Adams is an expression of love and gratitude towards a loved one who has changed the singer's views about love. The singer acknowledges that the world turns round and round, and the sun comes up before it goes down, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life. She then goes on to express her love for her partner, which she refers to as a mystery, but one that she can count on. The singer is amazed by the genuineness of her partner’s love for her, which she describes as a feeling she has never known before.
The chorus, "I never knew love like this before, Now my heart's like an open door," is an expression of how the love of her partner has opened her heart to a new level of love, which she had never experienced before. The singer admits that she thought she knew what love was before meeting her partner, but realizes that she was wrong. She points out that before her partner, love was just a word to her, but now, it has become tangible, and her worldview has changed.
The bridge, "They say that love is everything before you came, You really couldn't prove it by me, But you've changed my view," is a clear indication of how the singer's perspective on love has changed after meeting her partner. She declares that she has this funny feeling way down inside, and loving her partner is always on her mind.
In conclusion, Oleta Adams's Never Knew Love is a beautiful love song that expresses how love can change one's life and worldview. The song emphasizes the importance of having someone who genuinely loves and cares for us. It encourages people to be open to love and to be grateful when they find it.
Line by Line Meaning
I know the world
I understand the world
Turns round and round
It rotates continuously
And I know the sun
I am aware of the sun
Comes up before it goes down
It rises before it sets
I just can't explain it, Baby
I cannot rationalize it, my love
But I know it's honestly true
Still, I am sure that it is true
And I know your love
I am aware of your affection
Is here for me
It is present for me
Another mystery, Baby
It is another enigma, my love
I know it's plain to see
I can see it clearly
And it's clear to you
You know it well
Like the world turning round
Like the world's constant rotation
I can always count on you
I can always depend on you
I never knew love like this before
I have never experienced love like this before
Now my heart's like an open door
My heart is open and welcoming
I really thought I knew love
I thought I understood what love is
They say that love is everything before you came
People say that love is everything, but I did not believe it until you entered my life
You really couldn't prove it by me
You could not convince me
But you've changed my view
However, you altered my perspective
Baby, just believing in you
Just having faith in you, my love
I've got this funny feeling
I have this bizarre sensation
Way down inside
Deep inside of me
Lovin' you, Boy is always on my mind
Thinking of you and loving you are always on my mind
I never knew love couls feel this way before
I never realized love could be like this before
You gave me joy, happiness and so much more
You have given me elation, delight, and much more
I never knew love couls feel this way before
I never realized love could be like this before
I really thought I knew love
I thought I had a good understanding of love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Vassal Grandington Benford, Kathy Wakefield, Oleta Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind