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.
Be Blessed
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're all washed out 'cause it rained on your parade
Seems nobody cares about you anyway
Now you're living your life like a castaway
Search for strength inside was it all in vain
Cause the deeper you dig you find more and more pain
Don't let your tomorrow be like yesterday
And on your behalf I just asked
If He would be there for you
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
Enter a place where you never have to cry
Never have to live a lie, never have to wonder why
Never want for nothin' your always satisfied
In the peace that His arms will provide
He will erase any guilt or shame
Any bad habits you got you won't wanna do 'em again
Yes we all can change I can testify
See I spoke to God, I called out your name
And on your behalf I just asked
If He would be there for you
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
My prayer for you today is that you trust and always obey
On his name keep calling He'll keep you from fallin'
He'll supply the answers
If you stand in faith and trust Him to make a way
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
You've been through so much
Be blessed from the bottom of your feet to the crown of your head
Your life be blessed, your family be blessed
Your finances be blessed everything about you
Give it to Jesus, give it to Jesus
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's song Be Blessed are about a person who has gone through a lot of hardships and is feeling like no one cares about them. The song encourages them to hold on and trust in God, who will work everything out for them. The first verse talks about the storms that have passed by, leaving the person washed out and feeling like a castaway. The chorus is a prayer for the person to be blessed, not to live in distress, and to let God work everything out for them. The second verse talks about searching for strength inside but finding more and more pain. However, the song encourages the person not to let their tomorrow be like yesterday and that God will be there for them if they just call out his name. The bridge of the song is a prayer for the person to trust and always obey, and to keep calling on God's name, who will keep them from falling.
The message of the song is clear - even though life can be tough, the person should not give up hope and should trust in God to bless them. The song is both uplifting and inspiring, and it encourages people to turn their struggles over to God.
Line by Line Meaning
Too many storms have passed your way
You have been through a lot of difficulties
And you're all washed out 'cause it rained on your parade
These difficulties have made you feel helpless and defeated
Seems nobody cares about you anyway
You feel like no one is there for you
Now you're living your life like a castaway
You feel isolated and alone
Search for strength inside was it all in vain
You have tried to find strength within yourself, but it hasn't worked
Cause the deeper you dig you find more and more pain
You have discovered more pain as you continue to search within yourself
Don't let your tomorrow be like yesterday
You should not let your future be defined by your past
Cause I spoke to God I called out your name
The singer has prayed for you
And on your behalf I just asked
If He would be there for you
The singer has asked God to be there for you
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
The singer wants you to trust in God to make things better for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
The singer prays that you will receive God's best blessings
Enter a place where you never have to cry
Never have to live a lie, never have to wonder why
Never want for nothin' your always satisfied
In the peace that His arms will provide
You can find peace and contentment in God's love
He will erase any guilt or shame
Any bad habits you got you won't wanna do 'em again
Yes we all can change I can testify
See I spoke to God, I called out your name
God can help you overcome your past and make positive changes in your life
My prayer for you today is that you trust and always obey
On his name keep calling He'll keep you from fallin'
He'll supply the answers
If you stand in faith and trust Him to make a way
The singer prays that you will trust in God, who will provide answers and keep you from falling
You've been through so much
Be blessed from the bottom of your feet to the crown of your head
Your life be blessed, your family be blessed
Your finances be blessed everything about you
Give it to Jesus, give it to Jesus
The singer wants you to give all your worries and problems to Jesus, so that you may be blessed in every aspect of your life
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leyah Collins
Yolanda Adams - Be Blessed Lyrics
Too many storms have passed your way
And you're all washed out 'cause it rained on your parade
Seems nobody cares about you anyway
Now you're living your life like a castaway
Search for strength inside was it all in vain
Cause the deeper you dig you find more and more pain
Don't let your tomorrow be like yesterday
Cause I spoke to God I called out your name
And on your behalf I just asked
If He would be there for you
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
Enter a place where you never have to cry
Never have to live a lie, never have to wonder why
Never want for nothin' your always satisfied
In the peace that His arms will provide
He will erase any guilt or shame
Any bad habits you got you won't wanna do 'em again
Yes we all can change I can testify
See I spoke to God, I called out your name
And on your behalf I just asked
If He would be there for you
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
My prayer for you today is that you trust and always obey
On his name keep calling He'll keep you from fallin'
He'll supply the answers
If you stand in faith and trust Him to make a way
I want you to be blessed, don't live life in distress
Just let go let God, He'll work it out for you
I pray that your soul will be blessed
Forever in His hands for you deserve His best no less
You've been through so much
Be blessed from the bottom of your feet to the crown of your head
Your life be blessed, your family be blessed
Your finances be blessed everything about you
Give it to Jesus, give it to Jesus
Hey Freeband
I am only 13 years old, but even I can feel the power of god through this song. Hallelujah.
Karicia .J Swaby
Me too. Amen.
May God bless you sweetheart.
Shawanna Ellis
+Karicia Swaby good song
Ashley’s Tea
*14
Netta
same here
Nikkie Jackson
EliTheGreat omg keep it u
Grace
i'm 11 and i've been singing this song at church ever sunday thank you lord for anointing my voice! hallelujah! Be blessed
Unknown Dallan
❤️
Tendervittle1
God bless you!!!
Estella Givens-Whittaker
That's right encourage someone sweetheart🥰