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.
Will We Ever Learn
Oleta Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And forget about those things we're supposed to do.
'Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We made the world just wait for me and you
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Try to climb so high
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
If we'd only used our eyes
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
And the people on the street are always rushing
So afraid they might lose something on their way
I don't care if we never make a million,
We just got to find another way to live
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Can you feel be free what else do we need
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
All that love is certain is certain.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason ...
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
'Cause we only got now.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
The lyrics of Oleta Adams's song "Will We Ever Learn" feature a contemplative tone that questions the way we live as people. Adams suggests that we can take a train and forget about things we're supposed to do, which indicates a desire to break free from societal constraints and live in the moment. The line "we can't afford to waste another moment" suggests an urgency to live life to the fullest without regrets.
Adams highlights the fact that people try to build castles in the sky and climb too high, often becoming blinded by the light. The sentiment suggests that we need to be grounded and live in the present, while still being cautious and not getting caught up in superficial things that distract us from what's truly important. The chorus features the key questioning statement of the song, "Will we ever learn? Love's the only reason why we all be living. It's the only gift worth giving." Adams seems to be urging people to focus on love and prioritize it above all else in order to find true happiness.
The lyrics convey a sense of optimism and hope that despite our human flaws and mistakes, we will eventually learn to prioritize love and find the true meaning of life. The song encourages us to dance and live in the moment, to treasure our relationships and not be afraid to take risks. The overall message is a call to live life to the fullest with love at the center, to not become blinded by material things, and to always question and seek a better way of living.
Line by Line Meaning
We could take a train, be miles away by morning
We have the opportunity to run away from our responsibilities and forget about our problems by taking a journey together.
And forget about those things we're supposed to do.
We don't have to worry about our duties and concerns if we escape together.
'Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We should cherish every moment because time is limited.
We made the world just wait for me and you
Our love is so powerful that it influences those around us to pause and admire it.
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Everywhere we look, people are striving for unattainable goals.
Try to climb so high
People are constantly trying to surpass their previous achievements and reach the highest heights of success.
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
We have been blinded before by unrealistic dreams and desires.
If we'd only used our eyes
If we were more realistic and rational, we could avoid being blinded by unrealistic aspirations.
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
Love is the only true reason why we are alive and we must never forget that.
It's the only gift worth giving
Love is the most cherished present one can give and receive.
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
The world continues to move on, but it pauses for a moment when two people fall in love.
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
We will find a way to overcome any obstacles in our path. We must never stop learning about love.
And the people on the street are always rushing
Everyone is in a hurry trying to accomplish their goals and achieve success.
So afraid they might lose something on their way
People are scared of losing what they have gained along the way.
I don't care if we never make a million,
Money is not important as long as we are together and happy.
We just got to find another way to live
We need to discover an alternative approach to living that prioritizes love and companionship.
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Let us dance along with the music while feeling each other's presence.
Can you feel be free what else do we need
Experience the freeing feeling of love, what more could we possibly need?
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
When we are together, nothing else in the world matters than the two of us.
All that love is certain is certain.
The only thing that is certain about love is that it exists and it is all that matters.
'Cause we only got now.
The present is the only thing that is guaranteed, so we must cherish it.
Contributed by Nicholas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Waarheids Getrouwe
We could take a train, be miles away by morning
And forget about those things we're supposed to do.
Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We made the world just wait for me and you
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Try to climb so high
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
If we'd only used our eyes
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
And the people on the street are always rushing
So afraid they might lose something on their way
I don't care if we never make a million,
We just got to find another way to live
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Can you feel be free what else do we need
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
All that love is certain is certain.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason ...
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
Cause we only got now.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Rolando Iván
We could take a train, be miles away by morning
And forget about those things we're supposed to do
'Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We made the world just wait for me and you
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Try to climb so high
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
If we'd only used our eyes
Will we ever learn, love's the only reason why we all be living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
And the people on the street are always rushing
So afraid they might lose something on their way
I don't care if we never make a million
We just got to find another way to live
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Can you feel be free what else do we need
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
Will we ever learn, love's the only reason why we all be living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
All that love is certain is certain
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason why we all be living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason...
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
'Cause we only got now
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Ange 10:10
For those who may want the lyrics here you go .
Will We Ever Learn"
We could take a train, be miles away by morning
And forget about those things we're supposed to do
'Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We made the world just wait for me and you
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Try to climb so high
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
If we'd only used our eyes
Will we ever learn, love's the only reason why we all keep living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
And the people on the street are always rushing
So afraid they might lose on something big
I don't care if we never make a million
We just got to find another way to live
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Can you feel me breathe what else do we need
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
Will we ever learn, love's the only reason why we all be living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
All that love is certain is certain
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason why we all be living
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
We will make it somehow
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason...
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow
'Cause we only got now
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Michael Troutman
This song is absolutely beautiful 🌹
Artur Teixeira
Just a perfect song I've been listenning since 1990. Oh Jesus, wonderful.
Stephan Treece
Totally agree!
So Juorn Er
One of the finest, written, performed, produced, etc. albums ever recorded.
Miriam Saunders
I fell in love with Oleta's music many years ago. The most gifted vocalist in my lifetime & im old school 😃😄 keep on movin on Oleta 🎆🎆🎆
whoisdickieschnabel
I can't listen to this less than seven times in a row. If I heard her sing this live, I'd cry. My heart squeezes when she sings the end ("reason"). Evidence God exists if you need it.
Francis Belis
Stunning melody and song, deliciously crafted miid tempo gem. I ABSOLUTELY love it. Makes me want to take the mike and sing
Y-l'yukne Bayonne Addo
This song is something I can't understand. It's full of power and beauty and the voice of Oleta is for me the most extraordinary one I've ever heared. It seems like she has a direct access to my soul. I'm searching for the lyrics of this song since so many years with no success. Thank for this share.
Waarheids Getrouwe
We could take a train, be miles away by morning
And forget about those things we're supposed to do.
Cause we can't afford to waist an other moment
We made the world just wait for me and you
Everywhere people try to building castles in the sky
Try to climb so high
You and I sometimes where blinded by the light
If we'd only used our eyes
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow. Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
And the people on the street are always rushing
So afraid they might lose something on their way
I don't care if we never make a million,
We just got to find another way to live
Dance with me, moving to the rhythm
Can you feel be free what else do we need
Close the door nothing really maters while we live
Will we ever learn, Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
All that love is certain is certain.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason why we all be living.
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
We will make it somehow.
Will we ever learn?
Love's the only reason ...
It's the only gift worth giving
And the world will turn every time another lover takes that vow,
Cause we only got now.
Will we ever learn?
Will we ever learn?
Steve Krause
I'm not a huge Adams fan, but this song gives me goose bumps. Something about the chord changes does it.