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.
Lift Him Up
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raise my voice in testimony
Cause he's more than a friend to me
Gave my heart 'cause I believe he's the almighty
I can look at my life and see all the things that
He's done to set me free protecting me from harm
Raise my hands to show how I feel
Till he's guiding me I'll be still
Cause I'd be lost without him
My heart and soul I dedicate and to show I appreciate his love
I'll give him praise
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
Use the temple He gave us
Do a joyful dance of worship
Cause His mercy is so precious and new every morning
Always let Him know that we're grateful for another chance to say thank you
'Round the world sing it louder, for our heavenly father
To his almighty power
Let's glorify him, magnify him
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
You created the earth and the heavens above
And for our salvation you gave your own son
So we humble ourselves to your infinite power
Your love is greater than mine
(Your grace) and your grace is amazing
And through us we lift your holy name
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's song "Lift Him Up" are a powerful testimony to the faith and devotion of the singer. The song is an expression of gratitude and praise to God for all the blessings He has given, and a call to all believers to lift God up in their hearts and minds.
The first verse speaks of the personal relationship that the singer has with God. She refers to God as "more than a friend" and testifies that His presence in her life has protected her from harm. This experience of God's protection and guidance is what inspires her to "lift Him up" in praise and worship. The chorus urges all believers to join in this celebration of faith and worship, expressing their devotion and gratefulness to God.
The second verse expands the song's focus beyond the singer's personal experience of God to a global celebration of God's power and love. The singer recognizes that God is the creator of the universe and gave His own son for our salvation. She calls believers around the world to unite in praise of God, humbly acknowledging His infinite power and grace.
Overall, "Lift Him Up" is a powerful embodiment of the Christian faith, expressing the deep love and devotion that believers feel for God.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Lord, Oh Lord we lift you ooh we lift you up yeah yeah yeah
We praise and lift up the Lord with all our heart and soul.
Raise my voice in testimony
I declare and bear witness to the greatness of the Lord.
Cause he's more than a friend to me
The Lord is not just a friend, but the almighty and my savior.
Gave my heart 'cause I believe he's the almighty
I have surrendered my heart to the Lord because of my faith in his power and greatness.
I can look at my life and see all the things that He's done to set me free protecting me from harm
I can see how the Lord has worked in my life, freeing me from troubles and protecting me from danger.
Raise my hands to show how I feel
I lift my hands as a gesture of my feelings of gratitude and love towards the Lord.
His presence is oh so real
I feel the tangible presence of the Lord in my life.
Till he's guiding me I'll be still
I will remain calm and patient until the Lord directs me in my life.
Cause I'd be lost without him
Without the Lord, I would be lost and unable to navigate my life.
My heart and soul I dedicate and to show I appreciate his love
I dedicate my heart and soul to the Lord as an expression of my appreciation for his love.
I'll give him praise
I will praise and worship the Lord.
Lift Him up
Each and everyday we celebrate our faith
(Lift Him Up)
In a song of praise thanking him for everything (Lift Him up)
Devotion I express because I know I'm blessed (Lift Him up)
Praise Him with every breath
Glorify His name, lift Him up
We lift up the Lord in our daily lives, celebrating our faith and expressing our devotion, and praising Him for everything with every breath we take.
Use the temple He gave us
We should use our bodies as the temple that the Lord has given us.
Do a joyful dance of worship
We should express our worship and praise to the Lord through joyful dancing.
Cause His mercy is so precious and new every morning
We are grateful for the Lord's precious and renewed mercy every morning.
Always let Him know that we're grateful for another chance to say thank you
We should always express our gratitude to the Lord for the opportunity to thank Him and praise Him.
'Round the world sing it louder, for our heavenly father
To his almighty power
Let's glorify him, magnify him
Let us sing and proclaim the Lord's greatness louder throughout the world, giving glory and magnifying His almighty power.
You created the earth and the heavens above
And for our salvation you gave your own son
So we humble ourselves to your infinite power
Your love is greater than mine
(Your grace) and your grace is amazing
And through us we lift your holy name
We acknowledge the Lord as the creator of the earth and heavens, who sent His own son for our salvation. We humble ourselves before His infinite power, acknowledging His love and amazing grace, and lift up His holy name.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind