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.
You've Got To Give Me Room
Oleta Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say each day brings something new
well i guess that couldnt be mre true
I guess, im speaking on the changes
that i been goign through
This morning as I brushed my hair
this strange new feeling,
Suddenly, I become aware
You got to give me room
I know how deep our love has been
Since we were very young
and now, the walls are closing in
and those yester years are gone
I know, that it been hard on you
to understand my point of view
how can i make it clear to you
you got to give me room
I confess
I can't say that I don't love you
but this love I have for you
grows weak, not strong
If it was up to me
our love would fortunately
be on the virge of flying home
yoy know how deep love is tingly
i am more that what you thik I were
I am a woman going through a phase
I got to live ife
before these precious years are through
there are some goals i must, pursue
how can I make it clear to you
you got to give me room
You got to give me room (repeat to fade out)
Oleta Adams's song "You've Got to Give Me Room" is a powerful expression of a woman's need for space to pursue her individual goals, even though she loves her partner deeply. The song begins by acknowledging that each day brings something new, and the singer is going through changes that she cannot fully describe or understand. This sentiment connects with the listeners as they may have felt similar emotions of confusion and uncertainty. The reference to brushing her hair and feeling a strange new feeling packs a strong emotional punch, and the way she suddenly becomes aware of the need for space highlights the overarching theme of the song - the need for room and independence.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to pursue her individual goals and her need for space in the relationship. She acknowledges that their love has been deep since they were young, but she feels that the walls are closing in and that those yester years are gone. The singer admits that the changes and her need for space have been hard on her partner, and she pleads with him to try to understand her point of view. She emphasizes that she is more than what he thinks of her, and she is a woman going through a phase, and she must live life before these precious years are gone.
Overall, "You've Got to Give Me Room" is a deeply moving and relatable song that captures the feelings of many women who struggle to find freedom and independence within their relationships. It serves as a wake-up call for partners to understand their significant other's individuality and let them pursue their interests and aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
They say each day brings something new
I acknowledge that each day comes with new experiences
well i guess that couldnt be mre true
I believe it's accurate
I guess, im speaking on the changes
I am referring to the recent shifts in my life
that i been goign through
That I have been experiencing
This morning as I brushed my hair
Earlier today while grooming myself
this strange new feeling,
A peculiar sensation
I can't compare
Unlike anything I've felt before
Suddenly, I become aware
I realized
You got to give me room
I need some space
I know how deep our love has been
I understand the depth of our relationship
Since we were very young
From a young age
and now, the walls are closing in
However, it feels like things are getting too close
and those yester years are gone
The past is gone
I know, that it been hard on you
I am aware that it hasn't been easy for you
to understand my point of view
To comprehend my perspective
how can i make it clear to you
How do I convey to you
you got to give me room
That I need some personal space
I confess
I admit
I can't say that I don't love you
I do love you
but this love I have for you
However, this affection I feel
grows weak, not strong
Is diminishing instead of growing
If it was up to me
In my ideal scenario
our love would fortunately
Our love would fortunately
be on the virge of flying home
Reach its full potential
yoy know how deep love is tingly
You know how powerful love can be
i am more that what you thik I were
I am more than your perception of me
I am a woman going through a phase
I am a woman experiencing a transitional period
I got to live ife
I need to live my life
before these precious years are through
Before it's too late
there are some goals i must, pursue
There are aspirations I need to follow
how can I make it clear to you
How do I express to you
you got to give me room
That I require some personal space
You got to give me room (repeat to fade out)
I need you to respect my need for space (repeated until the end of the song)
Writer(s): Oleta Adams
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.