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.
Day By Day
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Offering peace unto my soul
I been so happy ever since that day
Nothing but joy unspeakable
And I know that it came from above
And I'll let it show
And I'll let it go
Day by day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
And even if the world grows cold
I know Your love for me will never part
Sometimes, I feel so inspired
And other times I just wanna give up
That's when I feel Your presence
Giving me confidence and trust
And I know that it come from above
And I'll let it show
And I'll let go
Take it everywhere I go
Day by day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
And even if the world grows cold
I know Your love for me will never part
I'm glad I found Your love
(It's unconditional and it's unconditional)
And I'll never let it go
(Let it go, let it go)
I know that it came from above
And I'll let it show
And I'll let it go
Take it everywhere I go
Day by day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
And even if the world grows cold
I know Your love for me will never part
Day by day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
And even if the world grows cold
I know Your love for me will never part
Day by day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
And even if the world grows cold
I know Your love for me will never part
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's "Day By Day" speak to the transformative power of love and faith. The song talks about finding a love that offers peace to the soul and how that love brings joy unspeakable. The singer acknowledges that the love comes from above and is a constant source of inspiration and strength, even during challenging times. The love and faith are carried day by day and will never leave the singer's heart.
The song is an uplifting reminder that the power of love and faith can sustain us through difficult times. The lyrics convey a sense of perseverance and determination, encouraging listeners to keep going no matter what life throws at them. The singer's resolve to keep the spirit of love and faith alive day by day is a testimony to the enduring power of these forces in our lives.
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of the transformative power of love and faith, reminding us that nothing is impossible when we have these forces in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
One day, I found a love
I discovered a love that changed my life
Offering peace unto my soul
It brought me a sense of calm and happiness
I been so happy ever since that day
This love has brought me nothing but joy
Nothing but joy unspeakable
I am so happy, I cannot put it into words
And I know that it came from above
I believe that this love is a gift from God
And I'll let it show
I will express my gratitude and love for this gift
And I'll let it go
I will not hold back my feelings, but share them freely
Take it everywhere I go
I will carry this love with me always
Day by day
Every day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
I will hold onto my faith, always reminding myself of this love
And even if the world grows cold
Even if the world becomes harsh or unforgiving
I know Your love for me will never part
I trust that this love will never leave me
Sometimes, I feel so inspired
At times, I am filled with motivation and passion
And other times I just wanna give up
Other times, I feel like quitting or losing hope
That's when I feel Your presence
It is then that I feel the comfort of God's love
Giving me confidence and trust
This love restores my faith and self-assurance
I'm glad I found Your love
I am grateful for this love I have discovered
(It's unconditional and it's unconditional)
(It is freely given, with no strings attached)
And I'll never let it go
I will cherish this love and never lose it
Day by day
Every day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
I will hold onto my faith, always reminding myself of this love
And even if the world grows cold
Even if the world becomes harsh or unforgiving
I know Your love for me will never part
I trust that this love will never leave me
Day by day
Every day
I'm going to keep Your spirit in my heart
I will hold onto my faith, always reminding myself of this love
And even if the world grows cold
Even if the world becomes harsh or unforgiving
I know Your love for me will never part
I trust that this love will never leave me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY GERARD CURTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind