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.
Shining Star
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your dreams will take you very far
But when you wish upon a dream
Life ain't always what it seems
What'd you see on a night so clear
In the sky so very dear
You're a shining star
Shining bright to see
What you could truly be
Shining star come in to view
Shine its watchful light on you
Give you strength to carry on
Make your body big and strong
Born a man child of the sun
Saw your work had just begun
Found I had to stand alone
Bless it now I've got my own
So, if you find yourself in need
Why don't you listen to these words and heed
Be you giant or grain of sand
Words of wisdom are ?Yes I can?
You're a shining star
No matter who you are
Shining bright to see
What you could truly be
You're a shining star
No matter who you are
Shining bright to see
What you could truly be
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's song "Shining Star" talks about pursuing and achieving one's dreams despite the uncertainties and challenges that may come along the way. The first stanza emphasizes the importance of dreaming big and seeking success, but also highlights the reality that not everything will turn out as expected. The next stanzas address the idea of being a shining star, a remarkable person who stands out and inspires others. The lines, "Shining star come in to view/Shine its watchful light on you/Give you strength to carry on/Make your body big and strong," motivate and encourage the listener to persevere and never give up on their aspirations.
The lyrics also touch on the concept of individuality and self-empowerment. The verse, "Found I had to stand alone/Bless it now I've got my own," communicates the message that relying on oneself promotes personal growth and independence. Lastly, the chorus repeats the phrase, "You're a shining star" to emphasize that everyone has the potential to be great and accomplish their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
When you wish upon a star
Your aspirations can lead you to great distances
Your dreams will take you very far
Your ambitions can help you reach far-reaching goals
But when you wish upon a dream
When you have high hopes
Life ain't always what it seems
The reality of life can be different from what you originally perceived
What'd you see on a night so clear
What did you witness on a crystal-clear night?
In the sky so very dear
Among the celestial objects up in the sky
You're a shining star
You have the potential to stand out and accomplish great things
No matter who you are
It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from
Shining bright to see
You are radiating and catching people's attention
What you could truly be
You possess the ability to attain your true potential
Shining star come in to view
The lucid clarity allows your potential to be comprehendible
Shine its watchful light on you
Guiding and lighting the path towards success
Give you strength to carry on
Bestowing the power to persevere through hardships
Make your body big and strong
Empowering and fortifying the physical and mental traits of an individual
Born a man child of the sun
Created and born purely of light and energy akin to that of the sun
Saw your work had just begun
Realized that there is a long way to go before the goal can be accomplished
Found I had to stand alone
Came to the realization that some goals can only be pursued alone
Bless it now I've got my own
Feeling blessed, having accomplished what was thought to be unattainable
So, if you find yourself in need
If you ever feel helpless or lost
Why don't you listen to these words and heed
Take these wise words into account and act accordingly
Be you giant or grain of sand
Regardless of how important you perceive yourself to be
Words of wisdom are ?Yes I can?
These words of wisdom let you know that you have the power to succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Leo Graham, Paul Edward Richmond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Constance Renee
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