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.
Never Give Up
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trapped inside an ordinary girl
She looks just like me
To afraid to dream out loud
And though it's set for your idea
It won't make sense to everybody
You need courage now
To fulfill your divine purpose
You've gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world
Against all odds
Keep the dream alive don't let it die, if something deep inside
Keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up; don't ever give up on you
Don't give up
Every victory comes in time
Work today to change tomorrow
It gets easier
Who's to say that you can't fly?
Every step you take you gets
Closer to your destination
You can feel it now
Don't you know you're almost there?
To fulfill your life's purpose
You've gotta' answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world
Against all odds
Keep the dream alive don't let it die, if something deep inside
Keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up; don't ever give up on you
Sometimes life can place a stubborn block in your way
But you've gotta keep the faith
Reap what deep inside your heart
To fly
And never give up
Don't ever give up on you,
Don't give up
Who holds the pieces to complete the puzzle?
The answer that can solve the mystery
The key that can unlock your understanding
It's all inside of you
You have everything you need
So, keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try
Don't stop
And never give up; don't ever give up on you
Sometimes life can place a stubborn block on your way
But you've gotta keep the faith
Bring what's deep inside your heart
To the light
And never give up
Don't ever give up on you
No don't give up
No, no, no, no
Don't give up
Don't give up
Don't give up
Oh, don't, no, no, no, no
Don't, give, up
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's uplifting song "Never Give Up" reminds us that everyone has a purpose in life, and it takes courage and perseverance to fulfill that purpose. The song tells the story of an ordinary girl who has dreams but is too afraid to pursue them because she thinks they won't make sense to others. The verses encourage her, and the listener, to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles.
The lyrics remind us that everyone has the ability to change the world, but we have to answer the call when it comes. It's easy to get discouraged and give up, but we have to keep going and trust that every step we take brings us closer to our destination. The song encourages us to keep our dreams alive and not let them die, to keep trying, and never give up on ourselves.
The part of the lyrics that stands out the most is, "Who holds the pieces to complete the puzzle? The answer that can solve the mystery. The key that can unlock your understanding. It's all inside of you. You have everything you need." These lines remind us that we have the ability to find our own way and overcome our challenges. We have the power within ourselves to unlock the understanding we need to reach our goals.
Overall, the song is a reminder to believe in ourselves and keep pushing forward even when life gets hard. It encourages us to have faith in our purpose and keep striving towards it.
Line by Line Meaning
Visions that can change the world
There are possibilities and inspirations that can change the world
Trapped inside an ordinary girl
However, sometimes people confine their dreams within the limits of their ordinary lives
She looks just like me
It is a reflection of oneself; a common feeling that most people have experienced
Too afraid to dream out loud
Many people shy away from expressing their dreams to the world due to fear and doubts
And though it's set for your idea, it won't make sense to everybody
One's idea may not resonate with everyone but it doesn't make the idea any less valid
You need courage now, if you're going to persevere
It takes great strength and bravery to keep going despite the obstacles and the doubts
To fulfill your divine purpose, you've gotta answer when you're called
There is a purpose for each one of us, and it is important to respond to the calls that bring us closer to it
So don't be afraid to face the world, against all odds
One must have the courage and determination to face the world and overcome difficulties
Keep the dream alive don't let it die, if something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
If something truly inspires and drives one, it's important to keep the dream alive and keep pushing forward
Every victory comes in time
Success takes time and effort, and one must be patient and persistent
Work today to change tomorrow, it gets easier
If one puts effort into their goals today, it will get easier to achieve them in the future
Who's to say that you can't fly?
No one can limit or predict one's potential, there is always a possibility to soar higher
Every step you take you get closer to your destination
Every action and progress, no matter how small, brings one closer to their goals
You can feel it now, don't you know you're almost there?
When one is close to their goals, they can feel it and sense the success coming
Sometimes life can place a stubborn block in your way
Obstacles and setbacks are inevitable in life
But you've gotta keep the faith
One must keep believing in oneself and their dreams despite the difficulties
Bring what's deep inside your heart to the light
It is important to reveal one's true desires and values to the world
Who holds the pieces to complete the puzzle?
The answer to one's problems and solutions to one's challenges are within oneself
It's all inside of you, you have everything you need
One has the ability to overcome any challenge and achieve anything they want, as long as they believe in themselves
No, don't give up
It's important to stay strong and persistent, even in the face of adversity
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind