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.
Hallelujah
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Come on and sing, be joyful unto the Lord
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Come on and sing, let let everything
Sun and the moon, all stars of light
He commanded and they were created
Oh trumpets sound, throught the earth
For the Lord is good and greatly to be praised
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Come on and sing, be joyful unto the Lord
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Come on and sing, let let everything
Let the high praise be in your mouth
Bless His holy name forever, ever
Young and the old, all God's children
Let's praise Him, and Him alone
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Come on and sing, be joyful unto the Lord
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Come on and sing, let let everything
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His mighty acts)
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His goodness)
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His Holy Name)
(Praise Him with timbrel and dance)
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Throw up my hands, raise my voice
Move my feet, I will rejoice
Throw up my hands, raise my voice
Move my feet, I will rejoice
Can't help but praise Him
Can't help but praise Him
Move, and let me praise Him
Move, and let me praise Him
So raise your hands, move side to side
Give up the praise, let God arise
Can't help but praise Him
Can't help but praise Him
Yolanda Adams's song Hallelujah is a song of worship and celebration to God. The word "Hallelujah" is a Hebrew word that means "Praise the Lord," making the song a declaration of praise to God. The song encourages everyone who has breath to praise and rejoice in the Lord, from the young to the old. It gives reasons for praising God, for example, praising Him for His mighty acts, His goodness, His holy name, and suggests various ways of praising Him, like with timbrel and dance. It also acknowledges God's authority and power over creation, as seen in the lines, "Sun and the moon, all stars of light, He commanded and they were created."
The song is a reminder that as human beings, we were created to worship and adore God, and that we must continuously give Him the highest praise. The song has a powerful message that reminds us that all of God's creation should give Him the highest praise because He is good and greatly to be praised.
Line by Line Meaning
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Everyone and everything that is alive should praise the Lord
Come on and sing, be joyful unto the Lord
Sing and be happy because of the Lord
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord
Everyone and everything that is alive should praise the Lord
Come on and sing, let let everything
Sing and let everything praise the Lord
Sun and the moon, all stars of light
The universe that God created
He commanded and they were created
God spoke everything into existence
Oh trumpets sound, throught the earth
Let the sounds of trumpets be heard throughout the world
For the Lord is good and greatly to be praised
God is good and deserves to be praised
Let the high praise be in your mouth
Speak words of high praise for God
Bless His holy name forever, ever
Bless the holy name of God forever and ever
Young and the old, all God's children
Everyone, regardless of age, are children of God
Let's praise Him, and Him alone
Let's only praise God
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His mighty acts)
Praise Him for His mighty deeds
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His goodness)
Praise Him for His goodness
Praise Him for (Praise Him for His Holy Name)
Praise Him for His holy name
(Praise Him with timbrel and dance)
Praise Him with timbrel and dance
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise,
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Hallelujah is the highest praise
Throw up my hands, raise my voice
Expressing joy and praise to God with movement and song
Move my feet, I will rejoice
Dancing with joy and praise to God
Throw up my hands, raise my voice
Expressing joy and praise to God with movement and song
Move my feet, I will rejoice
Dancing with joy and praise to God
Can't help but praise Him
It's impossible not to praise God
Can't help but praise Him
It's impossible not to praise God
Move, and let me praise Him
Move and let me express my praise for God
Move, and let me praise Him
Move and let me express my praise for God
So raise your hands, move side to side
Inviting others to join in the joy and praise
Give up the praise, let God arise
Giving all praise to God and letting Him shine through our lives
Writer(s): Leonard Cohen
Contributed by Zoe F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.