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.
Yeah
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the issues in my life keep holdin' me back
Can I live up to the standard seems so hard to do
But then you tell me take my hand you'll help me make it through ooh
You ask me child do you love me
And I say yeah, yeah, yeah
But will you just give up everything
We talk periodically, it should be everyday
Can imagine how it would be if I let you lead the way
No broken hearts, less scars, less roads that never have an end
So I'll throw away my pride let down
My guard lord hear I am ooh
You ask me child do you love me
And I say yeah, yeah, yeah
(But will you just) but will
You just give up everything
And follow me yeah, yeah, yeah
When I just stop and think of all that you've done for me
How can I say anything but yeah (yeah)
Yeah (yeah) yeah (yeah)
You ask me child do you love me
And I say yeah, yeah, yeah
But will you just give up everything
And follow me yeah, yeah, yeah
You ask me child do you love me
And I say yeah, yeah, yeah
But will you just give up everything
And follow me yeah, yeah, yeah
You ask me child do you love me
And I say yeah, yeah, yeah
But will you just give up everything
And follow me yeah, yeah, yeah
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's song "Yeah" explore the question of commitment in a relationship with God. The singer expresses her doubts and insecurities about living up to the expectations that come along with following God. The various issues and challenges in her life are holding her back from fully committing herself. However, God reassures her that He will hold her hand and help her make it through.
The chorus of the song consists of God asking the singer if she loves Him and if she is willing to give up everything to follow Him. The singer responds with a resounding "yeah," indicating that she does love God, but she still has some reservations about fully committing herself. She acknowledges that talking to God periodically is not enough; she needs to connect with Him every day. She realizes that following God would lead to fewer heartbreaks and a greater sense of peace.
The bridge of the song reflects on all that God has done for the singer, and it reminds her that she should say "yeah" to God, regardless of her doubts and fears.
Overall, the lyrics of "Yeah" convey a message of faith, trust, and commitment. The song encourages listeners to take the leap of faith and follow God, even when the path forward seems uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I be committed is the question in my head
I am worried if I am capable of being fully committed.
all the issues in my life keep holdin' me back
My personal problems hinder me from moving forward.
can I live up to the standard seems so hard to do
I am uncertain if I can meet the expectations set before me.
but then you tell me take my hand you'll help me make it through oohh
But you reassure me that with your help, I can overcome my struggles.
We talk periodically, it should be everyday
We do not communicate as often as we should.
can imagine how it would be if i let you lead the way
I can envision how my life would be by following your guidance.
no broken hearts, less scars, less roads that never have an end
By following you, I can avoid heartbreak, pain, and endless struggles.
so I'll throw away my pride let down my guard lord hear I am ooohhh
I am willing to humble myself and surrender to you, here I am.
When I just stop and think of all that you've done for me
Reflecting on all you have done for me, I can't help but feel grateful.
How can I say anything but yeah(yeah)yeah(yeah)yeah(yeahhh)
I cannot help but say 'yeah' to you because of all you have done.
and I say yeah yeah yeah (but will u just)
I say I love you, but will I follow you with complete surrender?
but will you just give up everything and follow me yeah yeah yeah.
Are you willing to let go of everything and follow me wholeheartedly?
You ask me child do u love me
You ask me, do I love you?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Erica Atkins-Campbell, Trecina Atkins-Campbell, Warryn Campbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind