Hyman began singing professionally in 1971 as part of the group The New Direction. She was also a member of Miami groups All The People and The Hondo Beat before forming Phyllis Hyman & the P/H Factor in 1974 and touring for two years before relocating to New York.
She became a featured vocalist on Norman Connors' album, You Are My Starship (1976) performing "Betcha By Golly Wow" and the duet "We Both Need Each Other" with Michael Henderson.
Hyman released her debut album on Buddah Records with Phyllis Hyman (1977), followed by Sing a Song (1979). After the second album, she signed with Arista, delivering: Somewhere in My Lifetime (1979); You Know How to Love Me (1979); Can't We Fall in Love Again (1981); and Goddess of Love (1983). She then joined Gamble & Huff at Philadelphia International for Living All Alone (1987); Prime of My Life (1991); and I Refuse to Be Lonely (1995), which was released posthumously.
Hyman's first solo Top Ten hit came in 1981 with "Can't We Fall In Love Again", a duet with Michael Henderson. The song was recorded while she was performing in the Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies (1981), a tribute to Duke Ellington. She performed in the role for almost two years, receiving a Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer and a Tony Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. In 1992 she was voted 'Number One Best Female Vocalist' in the United Kingdom by Blues & Soul magazine readers. She has also been honored with a bronze plaque along the Philadelphia Walk of Fame, a tribute to the city's native and immigrant musical legends.
In addition to duets with Henderson, Hyman lent vocals to projects with Grover Washington Jr., Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Joe Sample, Lonnie Liston Smith, Jon Lucien, The Fatback Band, Chuck Mangione, The Whispers and The Four Tops. Some of these collaborations appear on One on One (1998).
She can be heard in movie soundtracks: for Too Scared to Scream ("I'll Be There"); The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh ("Magic Mona"); and School Daze ("Be One"). The latter two titles are included on In Between the Heartaches (2004), a compilation that also contains guest appearances and previously unreleased material.
On the afternoon of June 30, 1995, Hyman committed suicide, leaving a note to her fans, family and friends that read in part: "I'm tired. I'm tired. Those of you that I love know who you are. May God bless you." She was buried on what would have been her 46th birthday. For her stage presence and fashion sense, Hyman was often known as "The Sophisticated Lady".
At the coda of a particularly pretty and memorable tune from McCoy Tyner's "Looking Out" called "In Search of My Heart", Phyllis soulfully sings "Remember me!"
Can't We Fall in Love Again
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't we fall in love again?
We were known as the great lovers
We had the magic from the start
We had so much to give each other
Now you're tellin' me you've lost the spark
Can't we fall in love again?
With all of my might I'll try to make things right
Can't we fall in love again?
Oh, babe, I thought I couldn't live without you, baby
But, oh, how the months have flown so fast
By chance we meet and magic's happenin' once again
The second time around let's make it last
Come on, darlin'
Hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Can't we fall in love again?
With all of our might, let's try to make things right
(We can do it darling)
Can't we fall in love again? In love again
So we live and so it goes, baby
How it will turn out, no one knows
But here we go, babe
Oh, baby, can't we fall in love again?
Let's hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Can't we fall in love again?
With all of my might I wanna hold you real tight, baby
Can't we fall in love again?
Hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Can't we fall in love again?
There's somethin' I've been wantin' to talk to you about
Come on, you gotta talk to me, baby
Can't we fall in love again?
Babe, can't we fall in love again?
You got the magic in your eyes
I'm, I'm waitin' for my surprise, baby
(Hey, you got it, baby)
Can't we fall in love?
Hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Can't we fall in love again?
With all of that good stuff ?
(Michael, baby, I'm tellin' you, darlin')
Can't we fall in love?
Baby, can't we fall in love in again?
Let's hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Can't we fall in love again?
With all of my might, I wanna hold you real tight, baby
Can't we fall in love again?
Hold on tight, don't turn out the light
The song Can't We Fall in Love Again by Phyllis Hyman is about a couple who were once great lovers and had a magical connection, but have lost their spark. The singer is begging their partner not to give up on their relationship and to give it another chance. Phyllis Hyman sings about the hope of reigniting the love they once shared and the potential for the relationship to be stronger than ever.
Throughout the choruses, the singer's words are pleading and sorrowful, using the questions "Can't we fall in love again?" "Can't we fall in love again?" to dramatize their desperation. According to the singer, their first chance was lost, but they are determined to make things right the second time around. This song conveys the message that love is worth fighting for and can be rekindled even when it seems lost.
In conclusion, Can't We Fall in Love Again is an emotional tribute to love that has been lost but can be regained if both parties are willing to try again. The song illustrates the ease of losing intimacy and the difficulty in rekindling it. Nevertheless, with the dedication and effort of both individuals, love can prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't we fall in love again?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
Can't we fall in love again?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
We were known as the great lovers
We had a reputation as an incredible couple
We had the magic from the start
From the beginning, we had something special between us
We had so much to give each other
We both had a lot of love to offer each other
Now you're tellin' me you've lost the spark
You're saying that our love has fizzled out
Hold on tight, don't turn out the light
Don't give up on our love just yet
Can't we fall in love again?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
With all of my might I'll try to make things right
I will do everything in my power to fix our relationship
Can't we fall in love again?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
Oh, babe, I thought I couldn't live without you, baby
I was so in love with you that I didn't think I could survive without you
But, oh, how the months have flown so fast
Time has passed quickly since we were together
By chance we meet and magic's happenin' once again
We reunited by coincidence and our love is coming back to life
The second time around let's make it last
Let's make sure our love lasts this time
Come on, darlin'
Let's work on our relationship together
With all of our might, let's try to make things right
Let's both put in maximum effort to fix our relationship
(We can do it darling)
We are capable of making our love work, my dear
Can't we fall in love again? In love again
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
So we live and so it goes, baby
This is just how life goes
How it will turn out, no one knows
We cannot predict the future
But here we go, babe
Let's see where our relationship takes us
There's somethin' I've been wantin' to talk to you about
I have something important that I want to discuss with you
Come on, you gotta talk to me, baby
Please communicate with me, my love
Baby, can't we fall in love in again?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
You got the magic in your eyes
You have a special quality about you
I'm, I'm waitin' for my surprise, baby
I cannot wait to see what you have in store for me
(Hey, you got it, baby)
You are capable of making our love work, my dear
Can't we fall in love?
Is it possible for us to rekindle our love?
With all of that good stuff ?
With all the love and positivity between us?
(Michael, baby, I'm tellin' you, darlin')
I'm emphasizing how much I want to make this work
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN PARKER, PETER IVERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yolanda W
Such an incredibly beautiful lady with amazing vocal talents gone from this earth far too soon. She should still be here today gracing us with beauty,remarkable stage presence and unsurpassed talents.You know showing the young wanna be's what a true DIVA is! I have loved this song and Ms. Phyllis Hymen for years.
DaOrigTruthSeeker
I love this woman. Her music makes me feel good inside. It reminds me of a chilled out evening at home just kicking back.
Angle Johnson
yes those were the days
SER MCMINN
Thank You the chance to hear Miss Hyman's beautiful Voice Again!!!
Charles Smith
She was beautiful and sexy I will miss her so much she had so much love to give to use in this world sadly she is gone but not forgotten I will love her music for ever for the rest of my life
Jake Johnson
Phyllis' voice and singing are truly superb. As I am listening to her music, my cognitive and emotional functions are working overtime. She takes me places where no one can ever go. Phyllis was at the apex in her art of music and singing.
Roxy T.
There will NEVER be another Phyllis Hyman. I love her better than any other artists.
LRene Evans
Such a beautiful talent. When music was genuine, soulful and had meaning. I am blessed to have witnessed such a powerful legend and a sensitive soul.
roxboronc27573
In March of 1980 I had the privilege of interviewing her for the radio station and student newspaper @ Bronx Community College, Bronx, New York after a performance at the school. Prior to the performance you knew something special was going to happen. The place went crazy. She gave a spectacular performance. I witnessed the birth of a star. After my interveiw her, we kept in touch every so often. Phyllis, you left the world too soon. We Miss You! RIP. Troy!
sonya kyle
This is PURE RAW EMOTION. Their voices literally made love on top of the music and exploded in sheer PASSION AND EARGASMS!!!! #TheRealityPoet