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.
Grateful
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Counting all the blessings I've had in my lifetime
I'm so fortunate to have someone like God
Heavenly Father
When I was having so many problems
No one but Him could help me solve them
He stepped in and He made everything okay
I'm grateful, so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, I'm so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I don't mind sharing my testimony
To anyone who hear it 'cause I'm lead by the spirit
And it's possible that something I might say
To help along the way
Been through the storm but here I'm still standing
On solid ground I keep on landing
That's why I have so much faith in God
For His love I'm grateful
I'm grateful, so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, I'm so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, I'm so thankful
To be in the land of the living
Yes, I'm grateful, yeah, I'm thankful
He spared me, He gave another chance
I'm grateful, so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, I'm so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful, I'm so thankful
To be in the land of the living
I'm grateful
“Grateful” by Yolanda Adams is a song which reminds listeners to count their blessings and to be appreciative of the good things in their lives. Adams starts the song by saying that she woke up in her right mind and she is counting her blessings. She acknowledges that she is fortunate to have God in her life and recognizes Him as a Heavenly Father. She shares that she had problems in life, but God helped her through them, and for that she is grateful.
Adams then talks about how she is not hesitant to share her testimony with anyone who is willing to hear it because she is led by the spirit. She acknowledges that it is possible that something she says might help someone in their own journey. She also mentions that she has been through storms but she is still standing because of her faith in God.
The song continues with Adams being thankful for being in the land of the living and that God has given her another chance. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song emphasizes the message of thankfulness and gratitude.
Overall, Adams' “Grateful” is a reminder of the importance of being appreciative of the blessings in one's life and acknowledging the role that God plays in it.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning, closed in my right mind
I am grateful for starting a new day fully aware of my good mental state.
Counting all the blessings I've had in my lifetime
I appreciate all the good things that have happened to me so far in life.
I'm so fortunate to have someone like God
I count myself lucky to have a God who takes care of me.
Heavenly Father
I am grateful for God being my father in heaven.
When I was having so many problems
I remember a time when I was facing several challenges.
No one but Him could help me solve them
He was the only one who could help me overcome these challenges.
He stepped in and He made everything okay
God intervened and made things better for me.
And for this I'm so grateful
I am thankful for His intervention in my life.
I don't mind sharing my testimony
I'm willing to share my personal experiences to help others.
To anyone who hear it 'cause I'm lead by the spirit
I will share it with anyone because I am following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
And it's possible that something I might say
I could say something that will be helpful to someone else.
To help along the way
To provide support to those who may be facing similar challenges.
Been through the storm but here I'm still standing
Despite having gone through tough times, I am still standing strong.
On solid ground I keep on landing
I keep landing on firm ground, thanks to God's support.
That's why I have so much faith in God
I have an unwavering trust in God because of His continuous blessings and support.
For His love I'm grateful
I am thankful for God's unending love.
Yes, I'm grateful, yeah, I'm thankful
Yes, I am truly grateful and thankful to God.
He spared me, He gave another chance
He saved me and provided another opportunity to live my life.
I'm grateful
In summary, I am thankful for all that God has done for me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE CITY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind