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!"
Give Me One Good Reason To Stay
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
My bags are at the door
You and I we can′t make it
We can't make it no more
Don't ask where I′m going
I′m gone over there
One thing's for sure
I′m gettin' out of here
Waiting there
At the door
Is there something you wanna to say
′Cause I wont leave you
If you give me one good reason to stay
Whooooooooo
It's true I love you
But love′s funny things
Heartache and trouble
Sometimes it will bring
It don't make sense
To go through this anymore
I can't count the times
We′ve been through this before
I see you standing there
Waiting there
At the door
Is there something you wanna to say ho ho
′Cause I won't leave you
If you give me one good reason to stay
No more lies
No more excuses
I′ve taken all I can take
And I just can't take no more
It′s time for us to break up
There's no way we can make up
No not this time
It′s for real
I see you standing there
Waiting there
At the door
Is there something you wanna say hey hey
'Cause I won't leave you
If you give me one good reason to stay
One good reason
If you give me one good reason
Whooooooo
To stay
One good reason to stay
Give me one good reason
No more lies
No more excuses
One good reason to stay
I′ve taken all I can take
Tell me why you want me here
One good reason
One good reason
I′d stay
In the song "Give Me One Good Reason to Stay" by Phyllis Hyman, the singer is expressing her decision to leave a relationship. She acknowledges that although she loves her partner, the relationship has reached a point where it is no longer sustainable. The lyrics depict the singer's resolve to leave, as indicated by her packing her bags and preparing to depart. She emphasizes the inevitability of her departure, highlighting that staying in the current situation is no longer an option for her.
The singer expresses her frustrations and confusions about love, recognizing that while she loves her partner, the challenges and heartaches they have faced together have taken a toll on her. She questions the rationality of continuing to endure the pain and turmoil that the relationship brings, suggesting that they have been through similar situations repeatedly. Despite her love for her partner, she acknowledges that love alone might not be enough to overcome the difficulties they face, hinting at the emotional turmoil and complications in the relationship.
The lyrics reveal the singer's plea for honesty and clarity in the relationship. She demands an end to the lies and excuses that have plagued their interactions, signaling that she has reached her breaking point. The singer asserts that it is time for them to part ways definitively, emphasizing that their differences and past issues cannot be reconciled this time. She questions her partner's intentions and what they might want to say, hinting at a potential desire for reconciliation if given a compelling reason to stay.
In the final verses, the singer reiterates her plea for a single valid reason to stay in the relationship. Despite the pain and turmoil she has endured, there remains a lingering uncertainty and willingness to reconsider her decision if presented with a convincing argument to stay. The repeated emphasis on needing one good reason underscores the singer's conflict between her love for her partner and the need to prioritize her emotional well-being. The song encapsulates the complexities of love, heartache, and the internal struggle to navigate the challenging dynamics of a failing relationship.
Writer(s): Leon Huff, Kenneth Gamble
Contributed by Samuel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.