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.
Open My Heart
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hello, talk to me,
Alone in a room
It's just me and You
I feel so lost
'Cause I don't know what to do
Now what if choose the wrong thing to do
So I need to talk to You
And ask You for Your guidance
Especially today
When my life is so cloudy
Guide me until I'm sure
I open up my heart, ooh yeah
My hopes and dreams
Are fading fast
I'm all burned out
And I don't think my strength's gonna last
So I'm crying out
Crying out to You
Lord I know that You're the only one
Who is able to pull me through
So I need to talk to You
And ask You for Your guidance
Especially today
When my world seems so cloudy, lord
Guide me until I'm sure
I open up my heart, oh yeah, yes I do
So show me how
To do things Your way
Don't let me make the same mistakes
Over and over again
Your will be done
And I'll be the one
To make sure that it's carried out
And in me, I don't want any doubt
That's why
I wanna to talk to You, excited
And ask You for Your guidance
Especially today
When my world seems a little bit cloudy
Lord, You can guide me through
That's why I open up, I open up my heart, my heart, my heart
All I need to do
Is just hear a single word from You, ooh
I open up my heart
Just one word could make
A difference in what I do lord
Guide me until I'm sure
I open, I open, I open, I open my heart
Whoa, You just say one word, one word, one word, one word, one word
I open up, I open up, open up my heart to you, to you
You're the lover of my soul
The Captain of my sea
I need a word from You
That's why I open up my heart
The lyrics to Yolanda Adams's song Open My Heart represent an individual in search of spiritual guidance through prayer. The song opens with the plea "Talk to me," addressed to God, which reflects a sense of uncertainty and anxiety in the singer. When the singer realizes they are alone with God, the realization of the gravity of their situation hits them. The lyrics "I'm so afraid, afraid of disappointing You" express concern about making decisions that could upset God. The lack of control over the situation and the desire for guidance are expressed in the lyrics "Guide me until I'm sure."
The song's chorus reflects the theme of opening one's heart to God and the willingness to surrender one's hopes and dreams. The singer acknowledges that they are at a point where their "strength's gonna last," and they are in dire need of divine intervention. The lyrics "My world seems so cloudy" express the darkness and uncertainty of the singer's life circumstances. However, the singer remains hopeful that God will guide them through the difficult times.
The second verse of the song also reflects a sense of dependency on the divine. The lyrics "Show me how to do things Your way" express a desire to follow God's commandments and do things according to His will. The phrase "Don't let me make the same mistakes" points to the singer's acknowledgment of past errors and a plea to avoid repeating them. The lyrics "Your will be done" show the singer's willingness to surrender their will to God.
Overall, the song Open My Heart by Yolanda Adams is a heartfelt plea to God to guide the singer through difficult times. The lyrics express a sense of dependency on the divine and a desire to do things according to God's will.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, talk to me, oh
I am seeking your guidance and need you to speak to me.
Alone in a room
It's just me and You
I feel so lost
'Cause I don't know what to do
Now what if choose the wrong thing to do
I'm so afraid, afraid of disappointing You
I am feeling lost and isolated, and I'm scared that I may make the wrong decisions and disappoint you.
So I need to talk to You
And ask You for Your guidance
Especially today
When my life is so cloudy
Guide me until I'm sure
I open up my heart, ooh yeah
I need your guidance to help me through these tough times, so please guide me until I am sure of what to do. I am opening up my heart to you.
My hopes and dreams
Are fading fast
I'm all burned out
And I don't think my strength's gonna last
So I'm crying out
Crying out to You
Lord I know that You're the only one
Who is able to pull me through
I am feeling overwhelmed and weak, and my hopes and dreams are slipping away. I am crying out to you for help and I know that you are the only one who can pull me through this.
So show me how
To do things Your way
Don't let me make the same mistakes
Over and over again
Your will be done
And I'll be the one
To make sure that it's carried out
And in me, I don't want any doubt
That's why
Please show me how to do things your way and prevent me from repeating the same mistakes. Your will be done, and I will make sure it is carried out. I don't want any doubt in myself, which is why I am asking for your help.
I wanna to talk to You, excited
And ask You for Your guidance
Especially today
When my world seems a little bit cloudy
Lord, You can guide me through
That's why I open up, I open up my heart, my heart, my heart
I am excited to talk to you and ask for your guidance, especially on this cloudy day. I know that you can guide me through this, which is why I am opening up my heart to you.
All I need to do
Is just hear a single word from You, ooh
I open up my heart
Just one word could make
A difference in what I do lord
Guide me until I'm sure
I open, I open, I open, I open my heart
All I need is to hear one word from you. One single word could make a huge difference in what I do. Please guide me until I am sure and help me open up my heart to you.
Whoa, You just say one word, one word, one word, one word, one word
I open up, I open up, open up my heart to you, to you
You're the lover of my soul
The Captain of my sea
I need a word from You
That's why I open up my heart
Just one word from you could make all the difference in my life. You are the lover of my soul and the captain of my life. I need your guidance and that's why I am opening up my heart to you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahwillis4881
I been battling depression please 🙏🏾 pray for me if you reading this I listen to this song to hold on to life for my babies ❤
@familyoriented5417
Go to your closet. And yell out for the Heavely Father to cover you! You are the daughter of a King!!! And the demons demanding and laying claim to your soul cannot have you! Repent for what all you have weighing you down, FALL to your knees and ask him to cover you and take away this spirit that is not of The Christ our Savior! He died on the cross for you and shed his blood. Yes YOU abd he will FIGHT FOR YOU. CALL ON HIM. The Devil is a lie and I call on the Lord of Host to fight where you fall weak. You will not go this alone. Lord O Mighty, the Most High, compell her to put up her shield of faith, and on her belt of truth! For the devil has lies to depress her. Father God deliver her from this spirit of depression. Send her what she needs and cover her children. Keep them under your wings Dear Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
@blessingobaje6041
Sending you love, healing, peace and tight hugs love❤
@KARMABROWN
Take it one day at a time. Find something each day that makes you laugh and smile. 'I'm praying for you.
@szaa6863
I went thru abuse and depression. Then later I read a story about a woman that was abused in the Bible. It's the last 2 or 3 chapters in the book of Judges. In that story, God punished 25k men in the army because they decided they did not want the abusers to be punished so the men of the army surrounded the city where the abusers were. So, God killed the army first, then killed the abusers! I read it 4 or 5 times and I realized that you cannot get away with serious crimes that you commit against each other. Emphasis on the word serious. Hell is a real place that a lot of folks will end up going to because they thought they could plan and plot and get away with it.
@stefthomas204
Praying right now in the name of Jesus, that whatever depression we find it and we come against it right now in the name of Jesus, he can do anything he is a healer he does anything but fail. He's the author and finisher. He is the great I am remember who you are in his physicians here they own self yes, you are healed in the name of Yeshua.
@OldSchoolGospel9
To the person reading this, may God take care of you, enlighten you and may God bless you and your family for life and eternity 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@ameliaandrews3052
🙌🏾🙏🏽
@maureenbrown7039
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🤗🤗🤗
@deidrejohnson8575
Thank you …. Blessings to you and your family also