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 Gotta Believe
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know life, has its ups and downs
(it)Can Turn your pretty face, to an ugly frown
Seems that when I face one thing, another one comes
Clouding up my vision, but I can feel the sun
I believe that I can do this; I know that I can win
Just as long as I have his love within
[Chorus:]
I believe that I can make it, I can make it through the night
I believe that I can walk on, with my head held high
I believe that I am special in every way
But in order to have my victory-I gotta believe-Ooh yeah!
I have to see myself at the finish line
I have to visualize that everything will fall in line
I have to visualize the land while riding through the storm
I have to trust in my father and open up my heart
I know that I can do this I know that I can win
Just as long as I have his love within
[Chorus:]
I believe....Ohh oohh
I believe I can walk on.... with my head held high
I believe that I am special yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
But in order to have my victory
[Bridge:]
Ohh! Heartbreak (I can handle it)
And heart pain (I can handle it)
Being let down (I can handle it)
No one's around (I can handle it)
I believe I can (I can handle it)
I receive I can (I can handle it)
And now I'm walking right into my victory
I believe that I can
I believe I'll walk on walk on walk on walk on
I am special yes I am Oh oh oho ho
And in order to have victory (Everybody help me say)
Oh I believe..... Oh I believe
I'm gonna walk on... with my head held high
I believe that..... there no body like me
And in order for me to .....victory I gotta believe yeah
The song “I Gotta Believe” by Yolanda Adams is a message of hope and resilience that encourages the listener to believe in themselves and their abilities, even when faced with difficulties or setbacks. Adams sings about the ups and downs of life and how they can lead to doubt and uncertainty. However, despite the challenges, she maintains a positive outlook and focuses on the power of faith and self-belief to overcome adversity.
The first verse describes the unpredictability of life and how it can impact one’s mood and outlook. However, Adams remains optimistic and declares her belief in herself and her ability to overcome any obstacle. The chorus is a powerful affirmation of this belief as she sings about walking with her head held high and knowing that she is special in every way. She acknowledges that achieving victory requires hard work and perseverance, but it all starts with having faith and conviction.
The bridge of the song is an acknowledgement of the pain and heartbreak that can come with life but declares that she is strong enough to handle it all. She sings confidently about receiving the strength to overcome and walking right into her victory. In the final chorus, Adams repeats the message of self-belief and encourages the listener to join her in walking with their head held high and believing in themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You know life, has its ups and downs
Life has its good and bad moments
(it)Can Turn your pretty face, to an ugly frown
Unpleasant experiences can make you unhappy
Seems that when I face one thing, another one comes
When one obstacle is removed, another comes along
Clouding up my vision, but I can feel the sun
Despite difficulties, I remain hopeful and optimistic
I believe that I can do this; I know that I can win
I have faith in myself and my ability to succeed
Just as long as I have his love within
I am confident as long as I have love and support from God
I believe that I can make it, I can make it through the night
I have the belief that I can persevere and overcome challenges
I believe that I can walk on, with my head held high
I have the confidence to keep moving forward with dignity and pride
I believe that I am special in every way
I recognize and celebrate my unique qualities and worthiness
But in order to have my victory-I gotta believe-Ooh yeah!
To achieve my goals, I must have faith and confidence in myself
I have to see myself at the finish line
I need to visualize my success
I have to visualize that everything will fall in line
I must believe that things will work out in my favor
I have to visualize the land while riding through the storm
I must focus on the positive while going through tough times
I have to trust in my father and open up my heart
I need to trust in God and be open to receiving His love and guidance
Ohh! Heartbreak (I can handle it)
I am strong enough to handle heartbreak
And heart pain (I can handle it)
I have the resilience to cope with emotional pain
Being let down (I can handle it)
I am able to handle disappointment
No one's around (I can handle it)
I am capable of being alone
I believe I can (I can handle it)
I have the confidence to face challenges
I receive I can (I can handle it)
I am open and ready to receive help and support
And now I'm walking right into my victory
I am on the path to success
I'm gonna walk on... with my head held high
I will continue to move forward with confidence and pride
I believe that..... there no body like me
I recognize my individuality and uniqueness
And in order for me to .....victory I gotta believe yeah
To achieve success, I must have faith and confidence in myself and God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTHONY S. CRAWFORD, DAMON CRAWFORD, ISHMAEL FERGUSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind