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.
I'll Always Remember
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
In "I'll Always Remember" by Yolanda Adams, the singer is calling out to the Lord for blessings. She acknowledges that the Lord is known for showering blessings on his people, and she pleads with him to remember her in his blessings. She admits that she is sinful, but she longs for the Lord's favor and protection. The repetition of "even me" emphasizes that she is asking for blessings even though she may not deserve them. The lines "Let some drops now fall on me" and "Whilst thou art blessing, oh Lord, stop by and bless me" convey a sense of urgency - she wants the Lord to bless her now, while he is actively blessing others.
The second verse contains the plea, "Pass me not, oh gentle Savior." This line refers to a hymn by Fanny Crosby called "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," which Yolanda Adams is likely referencing in this song. The hymn is a plea for the Lord's mercy and grace, even for those who are undeserving. The use of this hymn in "I'll Always Remember" reinforces the idea of the singer's unworthiness and her reliance on the Lord's mercy.
Overall, "I'll Always Remember" is a heartfelt plea for God's blessings and protection, even in the face of the singer's own sinfulness. The use of traditional hymnody and repetition emphasizes the urgency of the plea and the singer's desperation for God's presence in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord I hear of showers of blessings
I have heard that you are spreading your blessings to those who need it
Thou art scattering full and free
Your blessings are being shared without restraint
Showers the thirsty souls refreshing
Your blessings bring refreshment to those who are in need
Let some drops now fall on me
I am asking for your blessings to be bestowed upon me
Pass me not oh gentle saviour
Dear Savior, please do not overlook me despite my sinful nature
Sinful though my heart may be
Even though I am full of sin and weaknesses
I am longing for your favor
I deeply desire your grace and blessings
Whilst thou art blessing Oh lord Come on and bless me
While you are distributing your blessings, please bless me as well
Even me lord Even me Even me lord Even me
I, too, want to receive your blessings and grace
Let some drops Let some drops
Please bestow some of your blessings upon me
Whilst thou art blessing Oh lord Stop by and bless me
While you are blessing others, please stop by to bless me as well
Oh stop by lord Yes and bless me
Please take the time to bless me too, dear Lord
Bless me Protect me Direct me Even me lord
Please bless, protect, and guide me like you do with others
I need you To come on down And bless me Sinful though my heart may be
Even though I am full of sin, I need you to come and bless me
While Whilst thou art blessing While you are in the blessing business today Not tomorrow I need you today Yeah
While you are giving out blessings now, I need your blessings today, not tomorrow
Bless me Even me Even me lord Yeah I need a blessing I need a blessing I need a blessing lord
Please bless me like you bless others, I need your grace and blessings
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: ROBERTA MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
De Victor Muse
This song touches my heart in ways you will never know. I can never forget what you've done for me. thank you for the prophetic in the song and the anointing it carries. Even today .
I remember seeing you live in Colorado for the first time ever. you've blessed my heart ever since then thank you for your wonderful gift that you share with the world.
Dionne Melton
I feel the same. It speaks to my spirit so deeply! There is definitely an anointing on it and while it isnt her most popular, I feel it is the most powerful.
Gwen B
One of my favorites makes me cry every time...nothing but the blood of Jesus 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Dionne Melton
Me too, I weep every single time!
Vivian Pugh
Her vocals stand out distinctive from so many gospel vocalists. It's like an alive musical composition on canvas with shades, peaks, and lows. Awesome. Compelling and never too much but enough to truly appreciate. I LOVE IT
jaso144
BEST full of melody jazzy gospel song ever I think
MRZ O
This SONG HELPED SAVE MY LIFE... THIS WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART..ALL PRAISES TO THE MOST HIGH ‼️
Dwanna Callahan
People we all need to remember what our god has done for us. Its not just the big things its the little things. He wakes us up each day he blesses us all day everyday thank him praise him trust him beleive in him
Ashton Thomas
Rhodes intro is epic!
jaso144
Can skat with the BEST of 'em (Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Mary.J. Blige).....or BETTER as her doing so would be in the service of something MUCH greater.