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.
Save the World
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the whole worlds up in flames. People starving all over the land what a low
Down dirty shame and abroad we see the same we have our selves to blame. Well
It's been said that we should share what the master gives to us well the time
Has come to help someone less fortunate than us.
(chorus)
Save the world, feed the hungry people, clothe the little babies, lend a
Save the world, feed the hungry people, show them we love and care.
I took a walk into town this morning a beggar followed me he said he needed
Food to eat and spare some change please. I took him into the closest grill and
Paid for all he could eat it warmed my heart as he said thank you ma'am to me.
Well it saddened me as walked a little further just to see that there is more
Than one on every corner without a place to sleep.
(chorus)
We've got to feed the hungry mind soul and body shelter feed and cloth everybody
With much as we can please stretch out your hand.
(chorus)
In Yolanda Adams's song "Save the World," the singer addresses the various problems that are happening globally, such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, and how the world is in complete chaos. The lyrics express displeasure as she observes the news of the nation filled with stains and the world up in flames. The song conveys a strong message of hope, sacrifice, and love. Yolanda Adams encourages people to give back to society by supporting those who are less privileged than them. She emphasizes humanity's responsibility to help feed and clothe the less fortunate people, particularly the babies.
The first paragraph mentions how the world is in a state of chaos, and the people can be of help if they share what they have with those who have nothing. It's no longer about keeping the abundance to oneself, but about being caring and supportive by reaching out to the helpless. In the second paragraph, the singer recounts her experience of meeting a beggar who followed her, requesting help because he was hungry. She takes him to a grill and pays for all he could eat, which made the beggar grateful. In the final section, she calls on listeners to extend a helping hand to those in need.
Overall, "Save the World" song speaks to the heart of believers, acknowledging the plight of the poor and downtrodden. It's an inspiring call to lend a hand and bring hope to a world that is broken in various ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking at the news today is a cold depressing thing we see our nation stained
The news is often filled with negative and disheartening stories about our country.
And the whole worlds up in flames. People starving all over the land what a low Down dirty shame and abroad we see the same we have our selves to blame.
The world is suffering in various ways, including hunger and poverty. It's a shame that we are not doing much to help those in need.
Well It's been said that we should share what the master gives to us well the time Has come to help someone less fortunate than us.
Some say that we should share our blessings with others. It's high time we start helping those who are less fortunate than us.
Save the world, feed the hungry people, clothe the little babies, lend a Helping hand.
We should save the world by helping people who are hungry, clothing babies, and offering a helping hand to those in need.
Save the world, feed the hungry people, show them we love and care.
We can save the world by demonstrating our love and care towards those who are hungry and needy.
I took a walk into town this morning a beggar followed me he said he needed Food to eat and spare some change please. I took him into the closest grill and Paid for all he could eat it warmed my heart as he said thank you ma'am to me.
During a walk in town, a beggar asked for food and spare change. I took him to a nearby restaurant and paid for his meal. It was heartwarming to see him express gratitude towards me.
Well it saddened me as walked a little further just to see that there is more Than one on every corner without a place to sleep.
As I walked further, it was saddening to see that many people are without a place to sleep or call home.
We've got to feed the hungry mind soul and body shelter feed and cloth everybody With much as we can please stretch out your hand.
We should strive to help everyone in need by providing food, shelter, and clothing to feed their body, mind, and soul. We can do so by offering our assistance and lending a helping hand wherever we can.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melina Danielle
This is when I fell in love with Yolanda as a child. This song used to make me cry.
Soul Flower
this song always makes me cry
Tru Star 90
I don't cry bout nothing like this it I do it's tears of joy cus I know that's God's people
Krystle Knott
Looove this song.... 🎵❤💕♥
Lord Jesus save the world 🌎🙏🏽.
Sha'tina
this song is is very beautiful no doubt, one of my favorite songs as a kid. It's just vital that we understand that the scripture says the poor will always be among us. in addition to feeding the homeless we should be spreading the gospel. Unfortunately we cannot save the world, i want everyone to know that we can can prepare for heaven. This is more important than anything.
God bless!
*Always a Butterfly 1990
Save the world! everyone we can do anything God initials us to do. but u do have a point there i mean to Save the World. theres war going on, people sick, liars, all sorts of drugs, stealing, Jesus came and the world still is the same way. Thats why I look at it as Save the World what u can do to just help that one person or maybe thousands might cannot get the world but the ones thst are meant to be blessed by God.
Priscilla Taite
@*Always a Butterfly 1990 that was the worse comment we all are gods children whether we want to be or not so we all are here to be blessed by him🤦🏾♀️
purplelove010
My mom used to play this song all the time when I was growing up.
Soul Flower
My most favorite song by her.. I love dancing to this
TheCalebson
Beautiful song! It inspires me to do something to help others less fortunate!