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.
My Liberty
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of Him who died for me
Sacrificed his life for my liberty
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I want, I want to see the blessed face
Of Him who died for me
Sacrificed his life for my liberty
He paid the price (he didn't have to do it)
And I know (I never can repay him)
But all my life (I will ever praise His Name)
I will praise His name
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I want to see the blessed face (I want to see)
Of Him who died for me (for he sacrificed his life)
(yeah, yeah, yeah) sacrificed his life for my liberty
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
I want, I want to see the blessed face (of Him who died for me)
He Sacrificed his life for my liberty (he sacrificed his life, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, He saved my life (before I ever new it)
He paid the price (He didn't have to do it)
And I know (I never can repay him)
But all my life (I will ever praise His Name)
Don't you know, He picked me up? (And turned me all around)
And in His love (I am ever found)
Don't you know, He gave me joy? (and takes away the sorrow)
And He is my hope (for my tomorrow)
Don't you know that he is? (the joy of my salvation)
And I have, I have, I have (a new determination)
How could he love me so
I think, I'll never know why He (sacrificed His life)
Hallelujah (sacrificed His life) glory to ya
(Sacrificed His life) Lord, I adore you
(Sacrificed His life) I'll put no one before you
(Sacrificed His life for my liberty) oh, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, He saved my life (before I ever new it)
He paid the price (He didn't have to do it)
And I know (I never can repay him)
But all my life (I will ever praise His Name)
You know, He picked me up, he picked me up? (And turned me all around)
And in His love (I am ever found)
Don't you know, He gave me joy? (and takes away the sorrow)
And the Lord is my hope (for my tomorrow)
Don't you know that he is? (the joy of my salvation)
And I have, I have, I have (a new determination)
How could He love me so
I'm sure I'll I'll never know why He (sacrificed His life)
Lord, Hallelujah (sacrificed His life)
Glory, Glory, Glory, Glory to ya (sacrificed His life)
Lord, I adore you (sacrificed His life)
I'll place no one before you (sacrificed His life)
Through the sunshine and rain, holding the pain (sacrificed His life)
I got nothing to lose, oh yeah (sacrificed His life)
Oh yeah, (for my liberty)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
He gave me, He gave me, He gave me my life (He didn't have to do it)
And He paid, He paid, He paid the price (He didn't have to do it)
And I know, know, know (I couldn't never repay Him)
But all of my life (I could never repay Him)
How could He love me so?
I'm sure, I will never know why He (sacrificed His life)
Hallelujah (sacrificed His life)
Glory to ya (sacrificed His life)
Lord, I truly adore you (sacrificed His life)
I'll place no one before you (sacrificed His life)
Even though my friends may forsake me (sacrificed His life)
Lord, I know you're the one that set me free (Sacrificed His life)
Oh, Hallelujah (sacrificed His life)
Lord, I truly love you (sacrificed His life)
Oh yeah (for my liberty)
(He didn't have to do it)
(I never can repay him)
(I will ever praise him)
(He turned me all around)
(And I am ever found)
(He takes away the sorrow)
(The Lord is tomorrow)
The song "My Liberty" by Yolanda Adams is a heartfelt expression of gratitude and praise for the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. The lyrics speak of wanting to see the face of the one who died for our sins and how he saved our lives before we even knew it. The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ gave us our liberty and salvation.
The chorus repeats "I want to see the blessed face of Him who died for me, sacrificed his life for my liberty." This line emphasizes the desire to know Jesus more and to experience the love that he has for us. The verses illustrate how Jesus paid the price for our sins, even though he didn't have to do it. The song acknowledges that Jesus' sacrifice is beyond what we could ever repay, but we will spend our lives praising his name and giving him honor and glory.
The bridge of the song emphasizes the joy that comes from knowing Jesus and the hope that we have for tomorrow because of him. The lyrics also express the determination to live a life that is pleasing to God and to put him first in all things. The song concludes with a declaration of love for Jesus and the acknowledgment that our liberty came at a great cost.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to see the blessed face
The singer desires to see the face of Jesus.
Of Him who died for me
The singer is referring to Jesus, who gave his life for her.
Sacrificed his life for my liberty
Jesus gave his life so that the singer could be free and have salvation.
He saved my life (before I ever new it)
Jesus saved the singer's life before she even realized it herself.
He paid the price (he didn't have to do it)
Jesus paid the ultimate price for the singer's salvation, even though He didn't have to.
And I know (I never can repay him)
The singer is aware that she can never fully repay Jesus for what He has done for her.
But all my life (I will ever praise His Name)
The singer will spend her whole life praising Jesus for what He has done for her.
Don't you know, He picked me up? (And turned me all around)
Jesus rescued the singer and turned her life around.
And in His love (I am ever found)
The singer has found love and belonging in Jesus.
Don't you know, He gave me joy? (and takes away the sorrow)
Jesus has given the singer joy and has taken away her sorrows.
And He is my hope (for my tomorrow)
The singer puts her hope in Jesus for her future.
Don't you know that he is? (the joy of my salvation)
Jesus is the source of the singer's salvation and joy.
And I have, I have, I have (a new determination)
The singer has a new sense of purpose and determination because of Jesus.
How could he love me so
The singer is in awe of Jesus' love for her.
I'm sure I'll I'll never know why He (sacrificed His life)
The singer acknowledges that she will never fully understand why Jesus gave His life for her.
Lord, Hallelujah (sacrificed His life)
The singer praises Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross.
Glory to ya (sacrificed His life)
The singer continues to give glory to Jesus for His sacrifice.
Lord, I truly adore you (sacrificed His life)
The singer expresses her adoration for Jesus for giving His life for her.
I'll place no one before you (sacrificed His life)
The singer declares that she will prioritize Jesus over everyone else because of His sacrifice.
Even though my friends may forsake me (sacrificed His life)
The singer is confident that Jesus will never forsake her, even if her friends do.
Lord, I know you're the one that set me free (Sacrificed His life)
The singer recognizes that Jesus is the one who has set her free from sin and death.
Oh, Hallelujah (sacrificed His life)
The singer rejoices and praises Jesus for His sacrifice.
Lord, I truly love you (sacrificed His life)
The singer expresses her love for Jesus for giving His life for her.
Oh yeah (for my liberty)
The singer celebrates her freedom in Christ, which she has because of His sacrifice.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carl Preacher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind