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 Song Of Faith
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No no, no no no
No no, no no no
No no, oh, no no
Don't let it get you down
You can't let it get you down
Some unexpected misery enters your life
Then you ask your self how could this be
Wondering why I've been there?
You see your whole world come crashing down
All at one time
Your bodies weak from all the worrying
And so is you mind
Your walking down that rocky road
But things will get better
'Cause trouble won't last forever
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Have you ever felt the need to get away from it all
The person that you care about the most just broke your heart
Just to be in the same room with them, you can't stand the thought
I've been there, yeah, yeah, yeah
You don't know if your relationship is worth holding on
How much longer can you take being treated so wrong
You're confused on what to do but no matter what you do
You're gonna make it through, yeah
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Oh, take it from me
The only thing you need is a little faith
The size of a mustard seed
You may cry through the night but hold on
'Cause joy comes in the morning, oh yeah
In the morning
Joy comes in the morning
Have a little faith
Just a little faith
And you can make it
So don't you give up
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Can't let it get you down
Not now
Come to far to turn around
Gotta walk with your head up high
Believing you can reach the sky
Can't let it get you down
Yolanda Adams's "A Song of Faith" is a song about perseverance and the power of faith in tough times. The lyrics urge the listener not to let setbacks and hardships bring them down or make them lose hope. Even though there may be moments of unexpected misery, the song encourages the listener to keep going and find their way through the rocky road.
The chorus repeats the message that regardless of the situation, one must have faith and stay committed to their dreams. The song suggests that life is unpredictable and often challenging, but one can make it through with faith and determination. It acknowledges the pain and struggle that the listener may be facing but reminds them that tough times don't last forever. One must keep their head up high, believe in themselves, and never lose sight of their potential to reach the sky.
Overall, the message of the song is that hardships are inevitable, but they don't define us. Instead, they can strengthen us and make us more resilient. The lyrics suggest that with faith, hope, and perseverance, one can make it through any obstacle and come out stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't let it get you down
Don't let any obstacle bring you down
No no, no no no
Repeat of the first line for emphasis
Just when everything seems to be going alright
Unexpected problems arise when things seem to be going well
Some unexpected misery enters your life
Sudden sadness or difficulties occur in life
Then you ask your self how could this be
Questioning how something bad happened to you
Wondering why I've been there?
Asking why you are facing that difficulty
You see your whole world come crashing down
Everything you know seems to be destroyed in an instant
All at one time
Everything happens all at once
Your bodies weak from all the worrying
Stress and anxiety cause physical weakness
And so is you mind
Mental exhaustion and distress
Your walking down that rocky road
You are facing a difficult path
But things will get better
Hope for a brighter future
'Cause trouble won't last forever
Difficulties are temporary
Have you ever felt the need to get away from it all
Desire to escape from problems and stress
The person that you care about the most just broke your heart
Heartbreak from someone who you love deeply
You don't know if your relationship is worth holding on
Uncertainty about a relationship's future
How much longer can you take being treated so wrong
Feeling mistreated and unhappy in a relationship
You're confused on what to do but no matter what you do
Uncertainty about the right path, but a determination to keep going
You're gonna make it through, yeah
Belief in one's own resilience and ability to overcome
Oh, take it from me
The artist has personal experience and advice to offer
The only thing you need is a little faith
Having faith is key to overcoming obstacles
The size of a mustard seed
Even the smallest amount of faith is enough to make a difference
You may cry through the night but hold on
Even when overwhelmed with sadness, don't give up hope
'Cause joy comes in the morning, oh yeah
After sadness comes happiness
Have a little faith
Encouragement to believe and have hope
Just a little faith
Reiteration of the importance of faith
And you can make it
Belief in one's own ability to overcome difficulties
So don't you give up
Encouragement to keep persevering
Gotta walk with your head up high
Maintain a positive attitude and self-confidence
Believing you can reach the sky
Having faith in achieving your goals
Can't let it get you down
Repeat of the refrain, emphasizing not giving up
Not now
Especially in the midst of difficulty
Come to far to turn around
We have come too far to give up now
Can't let it get you down
Repeat of the refrain, emphasizing not giving up
Not now
Especially in the midst of difficulty
Come to far to turn around
We have come too far to give up now
Can't let it get you down
Repeat of the refrain, emphasizing not giving up
Not now
Especially in the midst of difficulty
Come to far to turn around
We have come too far to give up now
Can't let it get you down
Repeat of the refrain, emphasizing not giving up
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL FLOWERS, MICHAEL C. FLOWERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind