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.
Only If God Says Yes
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
May take us far
Chances that we take tonight
May lead us into darken places
But at the end of Godly choices
Are higher dreams
But in the game of chance
There's only a guilty wave or stream
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
But it's only if God says yes
I'll make my move
And it's only if God says yes
Then I will choose
For it's only if God would just
Bow his head
Then I will do it
That's what I will do
I started down the right road
Only to end up wrong
The endless journey carried me so far away
From my home and family
But I'm learning I was never meant to go alone
Neither was it meant for me to go on my own no
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
I'll never go on my own
I'll never go all alone
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
But it's only if God says yes
I'll make my move
For it's only if God says yes
Then I will choose
For it's only if God would just answer me
And it's only if God would just hear my plead
And it's only if God would just bow his head
Then I will do it
That's what I will do
That's what I will do
In Yolanda Adams's song "Only If God Says Yes," the lyrics depict the struggles of decision-making in life. The singer stresses the importance of making the right choices, emphasizing that Godly choices can lead to higher dreams, whereas taking chances may lead to turmoil. The fear of making wrong decisions and not knowing which path to follow is a common theme throughout the song.
The singer recounts a personal experience of going down the right path but ending up wrong, realizing that they were never meant to go alone. The message is clear that one should not make decisions alone, but with the guidance of a higher power. The chorus expresses the sentiment that only if God approves, will the singer make a move, choose a path or embark on a journey.
Overall, the lyrics to "Only If God Says Yes" reflect on the importance of faith and divine guidance, especially when making difficult decisions. It emphasizes that one is never alone, and seeking guidance from a higher power can lead to a better outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Choices that we make in life
May take us far
The choices we make in life can take us on a journey that leads us far away from where we thought we would be.
Chances that we take tonight
May lead us into darken places
Taking chances can sometimes lead us down dark and uncertain paths.
But at the end of Godly choices
Are higher dreams
When we make choices according to God's will, we are led to better and higher dreams.
But in the game of chance
There's only a guilty wave or stream
Making decisions based solely on chance can often lead to feelings of guilt or regret.
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
There are times when we feel lost and uncertain about what direction we should take in life.
But it's only if God says yes
I'll make my move
We should only take action when we feel confident that it aligns with God's will.
And it's only if God says yes
Then I will choose
Choosing what aligns with God's will is the most important factor in making any decision.
For it's only if God would just
Bow his head
Then I will do it
That's what I will do
Our ultimate choice should be to do what God wants, and we should ask for His guidance as we navigate through life.
I started down the right road
Only to end up wrong
Even with our best intentions, we can still find ourselves on the wrong path.
But I'm learning I was never meant to go alone
Neither was it meant for me to go on my own no
We should not try to navigate through life on our own. We are meant to rely on God and others for guidance and support.
I'll never go on my own
I'll never go all alone
We should always seek out the support of others and trust in God to guide us on our journey.
And it's only if God would just answer me
And it's only if God would just hear my plead
When we pray for guidance, we should trust in God to hear and answer our requests in His own time.
Lyrics © BONDED MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: KEVIN BONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind