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.
Time To Change
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya know
It's one of those joints here
Yolanda
Umm, Hmm...
Check this out
Ya know
Yolanda
It's been too long it's time to change
Can't get away with every thing,
please tell me why you wait
Gotta answer for yourself someday
A man that I know from the neighborhood
Whenever I see him he's up to no good
Taking from others to get what he wants
And he thinks that there's no way he'll ever get caught.
It's been too long it's time to change
Can't get away with every thing,
Please tell me why you wait
Gotta answer for yourself someday
Husband and wife a baby girl, there happy
But then there's a woman from down the street
Writing letters and
Sending pictures and,
Doing all that she can
Trying hard to gain
The attention of a married man (girl ya wrong now)
Ya, story is
I'm just a kid, and it's all in fun
Ya never stop
To realize ya hurting someone
How would you feel if everything was turned around
and everyday somebody was putting you down (ohh.. too long)
It's been too long it's time to change
Can't get away with every thing,
Please tell me why you wait
Gotta answer for yourself someday
It's been too long it's time to change
Can't get away with every thing,
Please tell me why you wait
Gotta answer for yourself someday
The song "Time To Change" by Yolanda Adams addresses the need for individuals to take accountability for their actions and to recognize the impact that their behavior has upon others. The chorus emphasizes the idea that it's been too long and that it's time to change, because one cannot get away with everything forever, and eventually they will have to answer for themselves.
The first verse tells the story of a man in the neighborhood who is always up to no good and taking advantage of others. The lyrics indicate that he believes he will never get caught, but the singer emphasizes that his behavior is not sustainable and he will eventually have to answer for himself. The second verse addresses the story of a married couple and their happy family, but how that happiness is threatened by another woman from down the street who is trying to gain the attention of the husband. The singer emphasizes that this behavior is wrong and that one should put themselves in someone else's shoes to understand the pain they might inflict.
Overall, the song urges listeners to take accountability for their actions, recognize the impact of their behavior, and make a change for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
We got something to say
We have an important message to convey
Ya know
You understand what we mean
It's one of those joints here
This is one of those songs with a powerful message
It's been too long it's time to change
Things have gone on for too long, it's time for a change
Can't get away with every thing,
You can't always get away with the things you do
Please tell me why you wait
Explain why you are waiting to make a change
Gotta answer for yourself someday
You will have to take responsibility for your actions someday
A man that I know from the neighborhood
There is a man in my neighborhood
Whenever I see him he's up to no good
Every time I see him, he's doing something wrong
Taking from others to get what he wants
He takes things from other people to fulfill his desires
And he thinks that there's no way he'll ever get caught.
He believes he will never get in trouble for his actions
Husband and wife a baby girl, there happy
A married couple has a baby daughter and they are happy
But then there's a woman from down the street
However, there is another woman who lives nearby
Writing letters and Sending pictures and
She is sending letters and pictures
Doing all that she can Trying hard to gain
She is trying her best to get something
The attention of a married man (girl ya wrong now)
She is trying to get the attention of a man who is already married (this is wrong behaviour)
Ya, story is
The story is
I'm just a kid, and it's all in fun
I'm just a child and I think it's all just for fun
Ya never stop
You never stop
To realize ya hurting someone
To understand that you are hurting someone
How would you feel if everything was turned around
Imagine how you would feel if the situation was reversed
and everyday somebody was putting you down (ohh.. too long)
And if someone was insulting you every day (for too long)
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRECINA ATKINS-CAMPBELL, WARRYN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind