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!"
I dodn't want to lose you
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you as you are
I don't wanna lose you
I couldn't love you more
Tell me love will remain
Though we may change
Who do you wanna be?
You're the only one that really knows
Maybe you'll be surprised
After your search is through
Then you'll find you've just been chasing you
Believe me I understand
The visions of your mind
But I'm so afraid that the man you find
May not need a girl like me
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
I don't wanna lose you
I couldn't love you more
Tell me love will remain
Though we may change
I really think that you
Have little faith in me
You're the only one I'll ever need
If you really understood
How much you mean to me
All your doubts would fade and disappear
Maybe you'll never find
The secrets of your mind
But you gotta try, gotta realize
And I'll help you all I can
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
I don't wanna lose you
I couldn't love you more, more
Tell me love will remain
Though we may change
Maybe you'll never find
The secrets of your mind
But you gotta try and I realize
And I'll help you all I can
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
I don't wanna lose you
I couldn't love you more
Tell me that love will remain
Though we may change
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
(I don't wanna lose you)
I don't wanna lose you
I couldn't love you more
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
(I love you as you are)
I don't wanna lose you
(I don't wanna lose you)
I couldn't love you more
(No, no, oh)
I don't wanna lose you
I love you as you are
In "I Don't Wanna Lose You," Phyllis Hyman expresses her fear of losing the person she loves, even as they grow and change, as well as her concern that the man may find a version of himself that doesn't need her. She implores him to have faith in their relationship and to understand how much he means to her. At the same time, she acknowledges his need to explore his identity and the possibility that he may not find what he's looking for in her. Ultimately, the song is a plea for mutual understanding and a commitment to weathering the challenges of life together.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna lose you
The singer expresses her fear of losing her loved one.
I love you as you are
The singer loves her partner unconditionally without wanting them to change anything about themselves.
I couldn't love you more
The singer emphasizes the extent of her love.
Tell me love will remain
The artist seeks reassurance that their love will endure even through changes.
Though we may change
The artist acknowledges the possibility of changes in their lives.
Who do you think you are?
The singer questions their partner about their identity and purpose in life.
Who do you wanna be?
The singer asks their partner to consider their aspirations.
You're the only one that really knows
The artist acknowledges that only their partner truly knows their own identity and goals.
Maybe you'll be surprised
The artist suggests that their partner might be surprised by what they discover about themselves.
After your search is through
The artist refers to the process of self-discovery their partner is going through.
Then you'll find you've just been chasing you
The singer implies that their partner's search for their identity is essentially a search for who they are as a person.
Believe me I understand
The artist reassures their partner that she understands their struggles.
The visions of your mind
The singer refers to the thoughts and dreams of their partner.
But I'm so afraid that the man you find
The singer expresses her fear that her partner might discover someone else during their search for self-discovery.
May not need a girl like me
The singer worries that her partner might outgrow her or find someone else who better fits their new identity.
I really think that you
The artist expresses her thoughts and feelings about her partner.
Have little faith in me
The artist feels that her partner doesn't fully trust or believe in her.
You're the only one I'll ever need
The singer reassures her partner that she is the only one they will ever need.
If you really understood
The singer wishes that their partner could see how much they mean to her.
How much you mean to me
The artist expresses the depth of her love for her partner.
All your doubts would fade and disappear
The artist believes that if her partner fully understood how much she loved them, their doubts would disappear.
Maybe you'll never find
The artist acknowledges that her partner may never fully understand themselves or their goals.
The secrets of your mind
The singer refers to her partner's innermost thoughts and desires.
But you gotta try, gotta realize
The artist encourages her partner to keep trying to understand themselves and their goals.
And I'll help you all I can
The singer promises to support her partner in their journey.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PATRICK DINIZIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomkormushoff5241
When Phyllis sang a song. She sang it with deep feeling and soul. You could tell by her voice. This song here is a perfect example of that gift she had. God bless you Phyllis.
@yvonnehaggins4449
I agree
@leonardcharles59
I think this song was originally sung by the Spinners . Hyman sings it with great depth and sensitivity.
@Trilce928
In life, it's impossible to catch everything......I am amazed how this incredible talent escaped me until now! I am saddened she is no longer here but am oh, so grateful she left such a beautiful gift for us to enjoy deep into time. Thank you Phyllis!!!
@lavernemayfield5442
Richard Veckruis no
@lavernemayfield5442
Richard Veckruise mhb
oo
@MisterGee7
The late, legendary diva at her best. There will never be another one like her. These female artists today need to take note, she posses beauty, elegance, and talent... not just one or the other. She had it ALL. Much love for putting this timeless joint up, Liteskinhoney.
@angeljohnson6665
MisterGee7 she was the queen
@stellarocquie7957
And more CLASS in her pinky than a dozen of today's bimbo-singers.
@sharmiabarnes070884
Absolutely Riveting!!! Phyllis Hyman was undeniably One of the Greatest Singers in the Universe!!! My heart aches because she's no longer here, but her music will live on for eternity!