Dillon was born in 1944 in Linstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica.[1] Influenced by American singers Connie Francis, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick, she began singing in talent contests. It was during a performance at the Glass Bucket Club in Kingston, Jamaica with the group The Vulcans, that Duke Reid's session guitarist Lynn Taitt discovered Dillon.[1]
Dillon was 22 when she recorded her first record for Duke Reid. In 1967, Reid released Dillon's "Don’t Stay Away". While most of Dillon’s subsequent recordings would be covers of popular and obscure American songs including Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours", Perry Como's "Tulips and Heather," The Grass Roots "Midnight Confessions", and Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With"; "Don't Stay Away" was an original composition featuring Tommy McCook and the Supersonics as the backing band.
Another original song, "It’s Rocking Time" would later be turned into the Alton Ellis' hit "Rocksteady". While these early recordings demonstrate Dillon's mastery of the rocksteady sound, a much slower, soulful, response to the sultry weather that made ska's upbeat rhythm and tempo undesirable even impracticable, it was no indication of her greatest performance, 1967’s "Perfidia". Popularized by the American surf rock band The Ventures, "Perfidia" is a 1940 song written by Alberto Domínguez and made popular by the Cuban bandleader, Xavier Cugat.
At the end of 1967, Dillon moved to New York.[1] The following five years, she spent living a double life. She had a family and career in the United States, flying frequently back to Kingston, Jamaica to continue recording for Reid.
After a number of singles and an album entitled Living in Love, Dillon ended her recording career in 1971. She was 27 years old.
In 1991, Michael Bonnet, the entertainment director for the Oceanea Hotel in Kingston approached Dillon inviting her to sing. Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording. In the years following, Dillion would tour the UK, Germany and Japan.
In 1998 Phyllis Dillon returned to the recording studio with Lynn Taitt, marked by reinterest in ska music in the United States. She remained active until illness took hold.
Phyllis Dillon died on 15 April 2004 in New York, after a two year battle with cancer, at the age of 59.
Picture On the Wall
Phyllis Dillon Lyrics
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And my heart cries out to know that you were wrong
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
But believe me, your picture's still hanging on the wall
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
As I watch you walk out the door
And my cries out knowing you were gone
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
People said I'm a fool to say goodbye to you
But believe me, your picture's still hanging on the wall
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Baby, why is your picture still hanging
Hanging on the wall
I want to know, why is your picture still
Hanging on the wall
Phyllis Dillon's song "Picture On the Wall" tells the story of someone who has ended a relationship but is struggling to let go. The first verse begins by acknowledging the presence of the former partner's picture on the wall and the pain it causes. The chorus repeats the question "Does it have to be there, still hanging on the wall?" which emphasizes the singer's inability to move on. The second verse adds more context to the situation by stating that people warned the singer against ending the relationship, but the picture still remains. The final verse repeats the question and ends with a plea for closure, wanting to understand why the picture is still hanging on the wall.
The lyrics reflect the internal struggle of letting go of a relationship that has already ended. The simple act of taking down a picture can have a significant emotional weight that may not be immediately apparent. The use of the word "hanging" also adds a sense of heaviness and tension to the chorus, which reinforces the idea that the picture represents the weight of the past. The interjection of "believing me" in the second verse also adds a layer of insecurity that suggests the singer may be seeking assurance that leaving was the right decision.
Line by Line Meaning
There's your picture, hanging on the wall
I see your picture still hanging and it reminds me of you
And my heart cries out to know that you were wrong
My heart feels pain because I know you were not right for me
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Do I have to continue to see this picture, still hanging on the wall?
People said I'm a fool to say goodbye to you
But believe me, your picture's still hanging on the wall
Others think I made a mistake by leaving you, but your picture remains to remind me of our past relationship
As I watch you walk out the door
And my cries out knowing you were gone
As I saw you leave, I felt sadness knowing you were gone from my life
Baby, why is your picture still hanging
Hanging on the wall
I am asking why your picture is still there, as it brings up memories and emotions that I am struggling with
I want to know, why is your picture still
Hanging on the wall
I am seeking an explanation as to why the picture is still up, and what it means for my future
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAM HOPKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rf3rnand3s
There's your picture, hanging on the wall
And my heart cries out to know that you were wrong
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
People said I'm a fool to say goodbye to you
But believe me, your picture's still hanging on the wall
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
As I watch you walk out the door
And my cries out knowing you were gone
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
People said I'm a fool to say goodbye to you
But believe me, your picture's still hanging on the wall
Does it have to be there, still hanging
Hanging on the wall?
Baby, why is your picture still hanging
Hanging on the wall
I want to know, why is your picture still
Hanging on the wall
@dawnyoung5075
W0W What a song and voice Beautiful Beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ for ever🎉🎉
@lorenmichael1667
This beautiful, interpretive vocal is going to be hanging on my wall forever.
@kenkovar2647
mine too
@anneliamohara2842
Love Phyllis from Ireland ☘️☘️☘️
@Mw-so6he
@@kenkovar2647 0:22 0:23 0:23
@kenkovar2647
what a golden age for soulful anthems like this in Jamaican music! that image of her is reminiscent of another iconic vocalist Billie Holliday
@alfieleavy88
Just left a relationship on a mutual agreement we sadly just become best friends we love eachother just not in the way we youse to and just want the best for eachother and this song is soothing me ❤️
@dennisd2531
Musical Treasure!
@alfieleavy88
So beautiful ❤️
@CookieMonster-hl9eg
Yeah 👍 😊