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!"
In A Sentimental Mood
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
In A Sentimental Mood
I can see the stars come thru my room
While your loving attitude
Is like a flame that lights the gloom
On the wings of ev'ry kiss
Drift a melody so strange and sweet
In this sentimental bliss you make my
Paradise complete
Rose pearls seem to fall
It's all like a dream to call you mine
My heart's lighter thing
Since you made me this night a thing divine
In A Sentimental Mood
I'm within a world so heavenly
For I never dreamt
That you'd be loving sentimental me
The lyrics to Phyllis Hyman's song "In A Sentimental Mood" speak of being lost in a romantic moment with a lover. The singer describes seeing stars in their room, while their partner's loving attitude is akin to a flame that illuminates any darkness. The singer's kisses with their lover create a strange and sweet melody that complements the moment's sentimental bliss. The singer feels as though they are in paradise, and nothing else in the world matters. The experience is dream-like and surreal, and the singer's heart feels lightened now that their lover has made them feel divine.
The lyrics convey the beauty and emotions that can be evoked through a romantic connection. The vivid and descriptive language used by the singer allows the listener to envision the setting and feel the powerful emotions being conveyed. The use of metaphors, such as the lover's attitude being like a flame, and the strange and sweet melody created by their kisses, adds depth to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see the stars come thru my room
I am in a state of mind where I am able to see and appreciate the beauty around me, even through the confines of my own space.
While your loving attitude Is like a flame that lights the gloom
Your affectionate ways have the power to uplift and brighten even the darkest moments and bring light to my life.
On the wings of ev'ry kiss Drift a melody so strange and sweet
Each intimate moment shared with you carries with it a unique and beautiful tune, adding to the richness and complexity of our connection.
In this sentimental bliss you make my Paradise complete
Being in your presence and receiving your love fills me with an overwhelming sense of contentment, making every aspect of my life feel whole and complete.
Rose pearls seem to fall It's all like a dream to call you mine
Everything around me feels like it's taking on a romantic, dreamlike quality, as I am overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness that I get to call you my own.
My heart's lighter thing Since you made me this night a thing divine
Your presence in my life has lifted a weight off of my heart and soul, making everything feel sacred and divine, including this current moment.
I'm within a world so heavenly For I never dreamt That you'd be loving sentimental me
I am living in a state of bliss and joy that I never could have imagined, because I never thought I was deserving of someone like you and the love that you give to me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind