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!"
Living In Confusion
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought you could do no wrong
Until I saw one day
That you were stringing me along
Played me for a fool
You used me once too much
I'm in so much pain
Here I am again
Trust is a hard thing
To come by these days
You build me up
To let down
Got me spinning around
I wish I knew
Where you were coming from
You told me you loved me
I thought I was your only one
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion
Confusion, confusion
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion, confusion
I had faith in you
Just knew you wouldn't hurt me
But you played a game
You should be ashamed
I let my gaurd down
I was so vunerable
I hope you had your fun
Don't you know I was loyal to you
Truth is a hard thing
To come by these days
You build me up to break me down
Got me spinning around
I wish I knew where you were coming from
You told me you loved me
I thought I was only one
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion
Confusion, Confusion
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion
Confusion
I deserve better
I'm not gonna take no more
You build me up to let me down
Got me spinning around
I'm gonna find
Find me somebody new
A love I can count on
Loving you see it ain't you
Oh
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion
Confusion, confusion
Seems like I'm always going through changes
Living in confusion
(Confusion)
(Ad libs and chorus till fade)
The lyrics of "Living in Confusion" by Phyllis Hyman narrate a story of betrayal and heartbreak. The singer believed in their lover, had faith in them, and trusted them with all their heart. However, one day they realized that their lover was stringing them along and had been playing them for a fool. They are hurt and in pain, and despite their best efforts to understand and resolve the situation, they are left feeling bewildered and confused.
The lyrics explore the themes of trust, betrayal, vulnerability, and the unpredictability of love. The singer is aware of the difficulties of finding truth and stability in a world where people are not always who they seem, and love is not always what it promises to be. Ultimately, the singer decides to move on and find someone new who will show them the love and respect that they deserve.
Overall, the lyrics of "Living in Confusion" are emotive and relatable, drawing on the experiences of many people who have suffered heartbreak and betrayal at the hands of someone they trusted.
Line by Line Meaning
I believed in you
I had faith and trust in you
I thought you could do no wrong
I believed you to be perfect and without faults
Until I saw one day
Until the moment arrived when I realized
That you were stringing me along
That you were leading me on falsely
Played me for a fool
Tricked me and made me look foolish
You used me once too much
You took advantage of me too many times
I'm in so much pain
I am experiencing a great deal of emotional distress
Here I am again
Once again, I find myself in a situation like this
Trust is a hard thing
It is difficult to trust someone
To come by these days
In the present time, it is a rare thing
You build me up
You make me feel special and loved
To let down
Only to disappoint and hurt me
Got me spinning around
Caused me to feel dizzy and overwhelmed
I wish I knew
I desire to understand
Where you were coming from
What your intentions and motives are
You told me you loved me
You expressed deep affection towards me
I thought I was your only one
I believed I was the sole recipient of your love and attention
Seems like I'm always going through changes
It appears that I am constantly experiencing disruptions and alterations
Living in confusion
Existing in a state of uncertainty and muddled thoughts
Confusion, confusion
Complete disarray and chaos
I had faith in you
I trusted you completely
Just knew you wouldn't hurt me
I was confident you wouldn't cause me pain
But you played a game
However, you were manipulating me for your own amusement
You should be ashamed
You ought to feel guilty
I let my guard down
I became vulnerable and open
I was so vulnerable
I was defenseless and susceptible to harm
I hope you had your fun
I pray that you enjoyed yourself
Don't you know I was loyal to you
I was devoted and committed to you
Truth is a hard thing
Honesty is difficult to find
You build me up to break me down
You make me feel good only to cause me pain later
I deserve better
I am worthy of something greater
I'm not gonna take no more
I refuse to continue in this negative pattern
I'm gonna find
I will search for
Find me somebody new
Someone who will treat me better
A love I can count on
A dependable and loyal love
Loving you see it ain't you
Loving you is not worth it
Seems like I'm always going through changes
It appears that I am constantly experiencing disruptions and alterations
Living in confusion
Existing in a state of uncertainty and muddled thoughts
(Confusion)
The feeling of disarray and chaos
Contributed by Miles H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tsunshine
She was proof that people were afraid of being criticized for needing counseling. There is help out her. She is Truly missed ❤🙏🏽
@marineforever3873
T Dixon/ Absolutely correct, society had such a negative status on needing help that people fight mentally alone. The stigma causes people's jobs, housing, their children. Especially in minority communities. There were many stars, Donny Hathaway, another great singer we lost in the same way. Your comment brings attention to the issue. Thank you.
@tinytowz4471
Things were so different back then.
@princessmeisha94
She was actually vocal about being in therapy for years. She had a therapist for almost a decade and went to rehab multiple times before her passing. Currently, reading her biography Strength of A Woman. It really gives insight on the literal fight of mental illness. People seek help but they (we) simply grow tired of the ongoing battle.
@lamontconyers1715
The Great Phyllis Hyman! One of the most naturally gifted singers ever! Her kind will never be duplicated! A once-in-a-millennium voice!
@sekhemasaru5718
What I learned from Phyills in this song, is to learn or know how to love yourself until you are 100% sure you know what you need and how to take care of you, before you allow anyone in your life as a mate/partner and then you will avoid living in confusion with someone else and their b.s.!
@billybatson3810
Amen. I had to remind myself of this very thing recently before jumping into the dating world. Sometimes we can be the one bringing the confusion.
@ustourist3329
Phyllis Hyman is loved here in Philadelphia. Philly Sound of Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Cy2s-zm58
@saragsanders5916
Wow that deep for a man thought.
@jaiocchialini1420
Amen to that!