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!"
Just Me And You
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your loves so much pleasure
Like a haunting melody
You came inside and captured me
And I'm so happy
you're the rhythm of my rhyme
You and I together
You know how to love me (Sure you do)
You know to make it right (So nice)
You know how to love me (Theres no denyin)
Sweet as the morning light
Sooner or later
I knew you'd come my way
you're welcome to my love
Just promise that you'll stay
You know how to love me
Right in a special way
You know how to love me
Tonight all I want to say
You know how to love me
you're the real that I feel, never go away
Seeings believin
don't you know you're a dream come true
ain't nothin deceivin
Bout the way that I'm lovin you, yeah
You know how to love me (You know, you know)
You know to make it right (I can feel it)
You know how to love me (No doubt about it)
Sweet as the morning light
Nothings forever
that's what people say
But each time were together
Forever and a day
You know how to love me
Right in a special way
You know how to love me
Tonight all I want to say
You know how to love me
you're the real that I feel, never go away
You know how to love me (Oh, you know that you do)
(You know how to love me, baby)
Ooh, you know to make it right (Oh, I know you do, whoa)
Ooh, you know how to love me
(Seeings believin, don't you know you're a dream come true, yeah)
Ooh, you know how to love me (Oh, oh, baby)
(Who will take this heart of mine) Ooh, you know how to love me
(Love me, baby, all the time, come on, give it to me, baby)
(You know how to love) Ooh, you know how to love me
(You know how)
In Phyllis Hyman's song "You Know How to Dub Me," the lyrics are an expression of love and appreciation for a partner who has swept her off her feet. The measure-for-measure metaphor conveys the balance and harmony in their relationship, and how his love brings her so much happiness that it's like a haunting melody she can't get out of her head. She celebrates their compatibility by saying that they'll stand the test of time together because he's the rhythm to her rhyme.
Her partner knows how to love her right in a special way like nobody else, and that he is the real thing she has been searching for. Her promise to stay with him and welcome him into her heart shows how much she wants to be with him, forever and a day, because they're each other's dream come true. The song ends on the note that nothing is forever, but with him, she's certain that their bond will last.
The main message of the song is that she finally found someone who loves and understands her, and she's thrilled to have found the perfect partner. Phyllis Hyman's vocals pierce through the soft background music making the lyrics straightforward.
Line by Line Meaning
Measure for measure
You give as much love as you receive.
Your loves so much pleasure
Being loved by you is incredibly satisfying.
Like a haunting melody
Your love lingers in my mind like a beautiful song.
You came inside and captured me
From the moment we met, you had my heart.
And I'm so happy
I'm thrilled and grateful for your love.
you're the rhythm of my rhyme
You are the perfect complement to my life.
You and I together
Our love is strong and enduring.
Well stand the test of time
Our love will last forever.
You know how to love me (Sure you do)
You know exactly how to make me feel loved and valued.
You know to make it right (So nice)
You always know how to make things better and improve our relationship.
You know how to love me (Theres no denyin)
It's undeniable how much you love and care for me.
Sweet as the morning light
Your love is pure, refreshing, and uplifting like a bright morning.
Sooner or later
I always knew that we would find each other.
I knew you'd come my way
I had faith that we were meant to be together.
you're welcome to my love
I fully accept and welcome your love into my life.
Just promise that you'll stay
All I ask is that you never leave and stay with me forever.
Right in a special way
You love me in a unique and meaningful way.
Tonight all I want to say
At this moment, all I want to express is my love and affection for you.
you're the real that I feel, never go away
You are the genuine and authentic love that I feel, and I never want to lose you.
Seeings believin
I trust and believe in our love because I can see its beauty and truth.
don't you know you're a dream come true
You are the perfect partner that I've always dreamt of having.
ain't nothin deceivin
There's no fakeness or doubts in our love.
Bout the way that I'm lovin you, yeah
I'm deeply and genuinely in love with you.
Nothings forever
Everything in life is transient and temporary.
that's what people say
This is a common belief that people hold about life and relationships.
But each time were together
Whenever we're together, it feels like we'll never part.
Forever and a day
We'll be together for eternity, and even longer.
Ooh, you know that you do
I'm certain that you know how to love me completely.
Oh, I know you do, whoa
I'm sure that you can always make things right and better.
Seeings believin, don't you know you're a dream come true, yeah
Seeing how you love me makes me believe that you're the perfect person for me.
Oh, oh, baby
Expressing my love and affection for you.
Who will take this heart of mine
Asking who will love me and take care of my heart.
Love me, baby, all the time
Asking for your love and support always.
come on, give it to me, baby
Urging you to express your love and make me feel valued.
You know how to love
There's no doubt about how much you love and care for me.
Ooh, you know how to love me
You know how to make me feel loved and cherished completely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MTUME, REGGIE LUCAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaylen E. Turner
Written by
Thom Bell
and
Joseph B.Jefferson
——————————————
Lead Vocals:
Phyllis Hyman
——————————————
Background Vocals:
Phyllis Hyman
Thom Bell
Joseph B.Jefferson
———————————————
Instrumentation:
Thom Bell and
other various musicians
————————————————
Arranger,Conductor,and
Producer:
Thom Bell
——————————————
Year:
1983
——————————————
Album:
Goddess Of Love
lazarous m. chinyanga
this song just keeps playing in my soul.so full of emotions
Zoey
You and me both🥺
Charles Mcbride
She was incredible! A true perfectionist.
Lungile Nhleko
My all time great. I still believe no one can touch her. She's the best vocalist.
Mareka Tieho Hlangabeza
One of my old time favorite duet...
Mareka Tieho Hlangabeza
Classic
Corey Sheppard
Love this song. Thom Bell brought out many different sides to Phyllis' beautiful sound.
Anthony Choyce
Has this on cassette and wore the whole thing out. Simply beautiful vocals.
mucha ngaliwa
she sings her emotions.her depth of feeling could have drove her to suicide.what a woman she was.most beautiful vocals
Anthony Choyce
Beautiful