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.
Rhythm of Life
Oleta Adams Lyrics
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Always killing time
Count the cost as days go by
Monday, I've got Friday on my mind
Why don't we make love
Instead of making plans
Mother Nature, Father Time
Angels cry when they hear that tune
It's sleepless nights for the man in the moon
And it's the rhythm of life
My mind's made up
Lucy's sign is the Chinese dragon
Oh, oh, she's got luck
The rhythm of life is the force of habit
Oh, oh, the rhythm of life
Give the girl a future
Give her what she needs
Teach her life's a long flat road
Maybe she'll have better luck than me
Works so hard like he's still in school
His pockets are jammed, but this man's a fool
Within the rhythm of life
My mind's made up
Lucy's sign is the Chinese dragon
Oh, oh-oh, she's got luck
The rhythm of life is a force of habit
Yeah-yeah, oh, the rhythm of life
Rhythm of life
Oh, when out of sight is out of mind
Shut your mouth, I'm doing fine
Mama's goin' back in time
Within the rhythm of life
It's goin' on, oh
The lyrics of Oleta Adams's song "Rhythm Of Life" touch on different aspects of life, including the continuous climb to reach goals, the concept of time and how we value it, relationships, luck, and the rhythm of life. The first verse presents the idea of constant effort to achieve objectives, describing it as the pursuit of climbing mountains. The second part of the verse refers to how we deal with time, indicating that we should enjoy the present since time waits for no one. The second verse refers to the family of man and how we are all connected. It also references how even angels cry when they hear something beautiful, and how we are all affected by the rhythm of life.
The chorus talks about the rhythm of life being a powerful force that shapes us, and Lucy's sign being the Chinese dragon also represents luck. The third verse is about mentorship, teaching a girl about life and hoping that she fares better in the future than they have. The next verse is about a man who works hard but is foolish with his money. The following part again emphasizes the power of the rhythm of life, and how the singer has made up their mind to follow it. Finally, the last part of the song talks about leaving some things behind and moving forward within the rhythm of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Climbin' every mountain
I am constantly striving towards success and overcoming obstacles
Always killing time
I am constantly trying to occupy my time without really accomplishing anything meaningful
Count the cost as days go by
I am aware of the passing of time and try to make the best of every moment, while also considering the consequences of my actions
Monday, I've got Friday on my mind
I am always looking forward to the weekend and wishing for the freedom it brings
Why don't we make love instead of making plans
Rather than constantly planning and worrying about the future, why don't we focus on enjoying the present moment and our relationships
Mother Nature, Father Time
The natural world and the passage of time, two powerful forces in our lives
Maybe it's the family of man
Perhaps the ultimate connection between all humanity is our shared experiences and existence in this world
Angels cry when they hear that tune
This song has a deep emotional impact and can move people to tears
It's sleepless nights for the man in the moon
Even the celestial bodies are affected by the power of music and the human experience
And it's the rhythm of life
Life is constantly moving and changing, with its own natural rhythm and pace
My mind's made up
I am determined and focused on my goals
Lucy's sign is the Chinese dragon
Lucy's birth sign is the Chinese dragon, which is associated with good luck and power
Oh, oh, she's got luck
Lucy is fortunate and has positive things happening in her life
The rhythm of life is the force of habit
The patterns and routines we develop in life become like second nature and greatly influence our daily experiences
Oh, oh, the rhythm of life
The beat and flow of life is a powerful and universal force
Give the girl a future
We must invest in and support the younger generation, giving them the tools and opportunities to succeed
Give her what she needs
Helping someone reach their full potential requires providing them with resources and guidance
Teach her life's a long flat road
Prepare her for the reality that life is full of ups and downs, but ultimately a long journey that requires perseverance
Maybe she'll have better luck than me
I hope that future generations will experience more success and less struggle than I have in my own life
Works so hard like he's still in school
The person being described is dedicated and motivated, putting in effort and hard work as if they were still in a learning environment
His pockets are jammed, but this man's a fool
Despite having financial success, this person is foolish and misguided in their values and priorities
Oh, when out of sight is out of mind
If something is not visible or present in front of us, we tend to forget about it or not prioritize it
Shut your mouth, I'm doing fine
I am confident in my abilities and do not need unsolicited advice or criticism
Mama's goin' back in time
The artist is reflecting on their past experiences and possibly feeling nostalgic or regretful
It's goin' on, oh
The rhythm of life and the progression of time are constantly moving forward, whether we like it or not
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Cloud9
Written by: Nicky Holland, Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind