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.
Even Me
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou art scattering full and free
Showers the thirsty souls refreshing
Let some drops now fall on me
Pass me not oh gentle saviour
Sinful though my heart may be
I am longing for your favor
Oh lord
Come on and bless me
Even me lord
Even me
Even me lord
Even me
Let some drops
Let some drops
Whilst thou art blessing
Oh lord
Stop by and bless me
Oh stop by lord
Yes and bless me
Bless me
Protect me
Direct me
Even me lord
I need you
To come on down
And bless me
Sinful though my heart may be
I need you to come down
And bless me
Yes
While
Whilst thou art blessing
While you are in the blessing business today
Not tomorrow
I need you today
Yeah
Bless me
Protect me
Direct me
Even me lord
To stop by
Just drop by
Oh lord lord lord lord lord lord lord
Bless me
Even me
Even me lord
Yeah
I need a blessing
I need a blessing
I need a blessing lord
The lyrics to Yolanda Adams's song "Even Me" express a deep longing for God's blessings and grace, despite the singer's awareness of their own sinful nature. The opening lines speak of "showers of blessings" that God is scattering, and asks for even just a few drops to fall on them. The song then becomes more personal as the singer asks for God's favor, acknowledging their own shortcomings but still reaching out for help and guidance. The repeated refrain of "even me" emphasizes the singer's unworthiness, even as they plead for God's intervention.
The second verse adds a sense of urgency to the plea, as the singer asks God to come down and bless them "today, not tomorrow." They repeat the request for blessing and protection, knowing that they need God's help to navigate the difficulties of life. The song ends with a final plea for God to bless them and a repeated assertion of their need for that blessing.
Overall, the lyrics of "Even Me" convey a sense of humility and faith, as the singer acknowledges their own flaws but still trusts in the power of God to heal and transform. The imagery of showers of blessings and drops of water also adds a sense of refreshment and renewal, highlighting the transformative power of God's love and grace.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord I hear of showers of blessings
I am aware that you are constantly blessing people in need, distributing your kindness freely.
Thou art scattering full and free
Your blessings are abundant and generously spread out to those who seek it.
Showers the thirsty souls refreshing
Your blessings quench the spiritual thirst of those who are seeking for it.
Let some drops now fall on me
I am also someone who is seeking your blessings, so I ask that you extend a bit of your generosity towards me.
Pass me not oh gentle savior
Despite my wrongdoings, I plea for your attention and mercy.
Sinful though my heart may be
I acknowledge my flaws and need for your forgiveness, despite the fact that I have sinned.
I am longing for your favor
I desire to be in a state of grace and earn your blessings, even if it requires self-improvement.
Whilst thou art blessing Oh lord Come on and bless me
While you are blessing others, I too ask that you shower your blessings upon me.
Even me lord Even me Even me lord Even me
I know that I am not perfect, but I believe that I too am deserving of your blessings.
Let some drops Let some drops Whilst thou art blessing Oh lord Stop by and bless me
I ask that you let even a small portion of your blessings fall upon me while you are in the act of blessing others.
Bless me Protect me Direct me Even me lord
In addition to showering me with your blessings, I ask that you guide and protect me as well.
I need you To come on down And bless me Sinful though my heart may be I need you to come down And bless me Yes
I acknowledge that despite my flaws, I need your grace and blessings. I am seeking your help and plea for your attention.
While Whilst thou art blessing While you are in the blessing business today Not tomorrow I need you today Yeah
I recognize that you are constantly in the act of blessing those in need, so I ask that you extend your help towards me today, not tomorrow.
To stop by Just drop by Oh lord lord lord lord lord lord lord Bless me Even me Even me lord Yeah I need a blessing I need a blessing I need a blessing lord
I ask that you take a moment to shower me with your grace and blessings, as I too am someone who needs your help and attention.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERTA MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind