The oldest of six siblings, Adams was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After graduating from University of California Berkeley, she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Eventually she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.
Musical career;
Beginnings;
Adams attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir. She signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album Just As I Am in 1987.[4] In 1990, she signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records and released Through The Storm.
Two years later, Adams followed with Save the World, which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's More Than A Melody, which featured production work from Ben Tankard, O'Landa Draper, and BeBe Winans. The single "Gotta Have Love," from that album featuring Tony Terry on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. Yolanda... Live In Washington, released the following year, featured versions of material from her first two albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD.
Songs from the Heart was her final release for Verity Records and included "Only Believe" which was popular songs on contemporary radio. The album also included "Still I Rise," a dedication to Rosa Parks which was inspired by the Maya Angelou poem of the same name.
"Fragile Heart", was dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who died in 1998. Adams' first significant attention outside the urban contemporary gospel arena came with the release of Mountain High... Valley Low in 1999 on Elektra Records. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), James "Big Jim" Wright (Mariah Carey, Nicole C. Mullen), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), and Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans). The album went Platinum in 2000 and won her a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include Yeah", "Fragile Heart", and "Open My Heart".
In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (The Experience). The Experience netted Adams a second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included the hit "Never Give Up" was released in 2001. She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration. Believe was certified Gold in 2002. The Divas Of Gospel, with Albertina Walker (queen of gospel), was also released in 2001.
Yolanda recorded a song for the 2003 film, Honey titled "I Believe" that played during the last scene in the final dance.
Adams was also a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Back after break;
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with Day By Day. Although charting higher than Mountain High...Valley Low on the Billboard 100, and Billboard R&B Albums Chart, It didn't get a RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "Be Blessed," "Someone Watching Over You," "This Too Shall Pass", and "Victory" which was prominently featured in the movie The Gospel. After ending her long association with Atlantic Records, They released a greatest hits collection entitled The Best of Me in May 2007. Adams signed with Columbia Records in 2007. Columbia released What a Wonderful Time, her second holiday collection in October 2007. "Hold On" was released as the lead single.
2008-Present;
In 2007 after releasing her holiday album with Columbia, She stated in different interviews that she was currently in the planning stages for a new album. Her official website states that it will be a duets project including possible collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, and Mary Mary. In a interview with Commercial Appeal. Adams stated that Chaka Khan, and Shirley Caesar might be on the new project also. In March 2009, she was interview by a FOX station in Houston, where she stated that her women's clothing line and new album is still in progress. The new album is currently untitled, and will be out in the last quarter of the year. She stated that the new album will be full of dance tracks. Adams' may do a secular album in the future.
Adams' song "Hold On" is included in a compilation in support of Barack Obama's campaign entitled 'Yes We Can: Voices of a Grass Roots Movement'.
Adams performed the National Anthem at the 2009 BCS National Championship game between the #1 University of Florida and #2 University of Oklahoma in Dolphin Stadium (Miami, Florida).
Personal life;
In 1997, Yolanda Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. Yolanda served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner city schoolchildren. On October 15, 2008, Yolanda Adams' mother Carolyn Jean Adams died.
A Season Of Love
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure-measure a year
In midnights- in cups of coffee
In inches- in miles
In laughter- in strife
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life
How about love
How about love
How about love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man
In truth that she learns
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she dies
Its time now to sing out
Though the story never ends
Lets celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Yolanda Adams's song "A Season of Love" explores the question of how one should measure a year. The song encourages listeners to consider all of the different ways that we experience time, from daylights to sunsets, in laughter and strife, and in the moments of love that we share with each other. The song suggests that the true measure of a year is not in the amount of time that passes, but in the quality of the experiences that we have during that time.
The song's lyrics are particularly poignant because they speak to the importance of reflecting on the past and cherishing the memories that we have made with our loved ones. The song acknowledges that life can be difficult and painful at times, but encourages listeners to focus on the moments of joy and love that have made life worth living. By doing so, the song suggests that we can find comfort and meaning in the experiences that we have shared with others.
Overall, "A Season of Love" is a deeply insightful and emotionally rich song that speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with the passing of time and coming to terms with the joys and sorrows of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure-measure a year
A year contains 525,600 minutes, which is a significant amount of time. Each moment should be cherished and valued, but how do we quantify our experiences within a year?
In daylights- in sunsets
In midnights- in cups of coffee
In inches- in miles
In laughter- in strife
Experiences can be measured in different ways, such as the number of sunsets or cups of coffee you enjoyed, or how much laughter and joy you experienced compared to negative emotions.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life
How about love
How about love
How about love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
The song suggests that the best way to measure a year is not in terms of minutes or material possessions, but in the love and relationships we form with others during that time. These connections are the true measure of a year and can be celebrated through the different seasons of love.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man
Each individual's life is unique and filled with different journeys and experiences. It is difficult to quantify a person's life in the same ways we measure a year, but the love and relationships we form are still at the forefront.
In truth that she learns
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she dies
A person's life can be defined by significant experiences or events, such as personal growth, hardships, or even death. However, the important thing to remember is that each moment can be cherished and celebrated, no matter how good or bad.
Its time now to sing out
Though the story never ends
Lets celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Despite the ups and downs of life and the fact that our stories are never really over, we should take the time to celebrate and remember the love and connections we form with others. This is the true measure of a year and can be celebrated through the different seasons of love.
Writer(s): Gordon Chambers, Darren Lighty, Yolanda Adams, Keir Gist
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.