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.
What A Wonderful Time
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin', "How do you do?"
They're really sayin', "I love you."
I hear babies cryin'. I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
.
Yolanda Adams's song "What a Wonderful Time" is a cover of the famous Louis Armstrong song "What a Wonderful World." The lyrics of this song paint a picture of the beauty and wonder of the world around us. The first stanza talks about the natural beauty of the world, with trees, red roses, and the singer's reflection on how wonderful it is to witness these things in bloom. The second stanza is a reflection of the different colors that make up the world - the blue skies, white clouds, and the darkness of the night, all of which the singer considers to be blessings. The third stanza talks about how people can also be a part of this beauty, with the colors of the rainbow reflecting on the faces of those passing by, as well as the love that is expressed through a simple handshake. The final stanza touches on the beauty of life and growth, with the singer watching babies cry and grow and acknowledging that they will learn much more than they ever will.
The lyrics of this song are simple and direct, and they convey a message of positivity, beauty, and wonder that is accessible to everyone. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, but the original version by Louis Armstrong remains the most famous.
Line by Line Meaning
I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I am witnessing the beauty of nature with trees and roses blooming.
I see them bloom, for me and you
This beauty is for everyone to enjoy.
And I think to myself
I am amazed by what I see and feel grateful to be alive to witness it.
What a wonderful world.
This world we live in is truly wonderful and amazing.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The sky is painted with vibrant and contrasting colors that awe me.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
Both day and night have their unique beauty and serve a purpose in nature.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
The rainbow is a symbol of hope and beauty that we can see in the sky.
Are also on the faces of people going by.
People around me carry the beauty and diversity of the rainbow in their expressions and personalities.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin', "How do you do?"
People greet each other with warmth and kindness, creating bonds of friendship.
They're really sayin', "I love you."
Beyond the words they speak, they show love and compassion for one another.
I hear babies cryin'. I watch them grow.
Life is a continuous cycle and babies remind us of the miracle of growth and the passage of time.
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
The next generation will continue to learn and evolve with knowledge beyond our comprehension.
And I think to myself
Reflect on the beauty of life and the world around me, and how it fills me with wonder and awe.
What a wonderful world.
This world is full of marvelous things and has so much to offer, truly a wonderful world to live in.
Writer(s): MAXX FRANK, YOLANDA ADAMS
Contributed by Liliana D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.