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!"
Paradise
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's almost 4am
And I'm all by myself
I'm wondering when you've been
And are you in love with
Someone else
We all most had it all
We grow old once and then
It's colder now
In any weather
I've been waiting
Here at the gates of heaven
Waiting for us
To forgive and get together
Gotta get back to paradise
Tell me what do I need to do
Gotta get back to paradise
'Cause I'm so in love with you
Can we find a way
To put the past away
To start it all anew
Distant as a star
Come on talk to me
And take me to your heart
'Cause I've been waiting paitently
We can start a fire
Warm it by degrees
Til we build it up
To the love we had together
I've been waiting
Here at the gates of heaven
Waiting for us
To forgive and get together
I got to find a way
To your heart
My darling
Along the way
And find a place
Where we went wrong
Gotta get back to
Where we belong
I've been waiting
Here at the gates of heaven
Waiting for us
To forgive and get together
The lyrics to Phyllis Hyman's song "Paradise" are about the singer's longing to reconnect with someone she loves. It's almost 4am and she's wondering where this person has been and if they're in love with someone else. She notes that they had a fine affair and almost had it all, but now it's colder and she's waiting at the gates of heaven for them to forgive and get back together. She wants to find a way to put the past away and start anew, and hopes that they can warm their relationship back up to the love they once had together.
The theme of the song is mostly about reconciliation and forgiveness in relationships. The singer wants to go back to a place where things were good and fix whatever went wrong. The metaphorical "gates of heaven" represent the idea of achieving a sort of paradise with this person again. The lyrics are contemplative and emotional, with the singer admitting her vulnerability and the depth of her feelings for this person. The song has a slow and melancholy melody, matching the tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, hey
Casual greeting.
It's almost 4am
Late night and reflecting on relationship.
And I'm all by myself
Feeling lonely and isolated.
I'm wondering when you've been
Questioning whereabouts of partner.
And are you in love with Someone else
Worried about partner's feelings for someone else.
It's such a fine affair
Relationship was once great.
We all most had it all
Relationship almost perfect.
We grow old once and then
Life is short and time is fleeting.
It's colder now In any weather
Relationship has grown distant and cold.
I've been waiting Here at the gates of heaven
Longing for a reunion with partner.
Waiting for us To forgive and get together
Hopeful for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Gotta get back to paradise Tell me what do I need to do
Desire to return to a perfect relationship, seeking advice on how to get there.
Can we find a way To put the past away
Willingness to move past previous issues.
To start it all anew
Hopeful for a fresh start.
Distant as a star Come on talk to me
Partner has been distant and wanting communication.
And take me to your heart 'Cause I've been waiting patiently
Longing for a deeper emotional connection and waiting for partner to reciprocate.
We can start a fire Warm it by degrees
Slowly reigniting passion and intimacy in the relationship.
Til we build it up To the love we had together
Working towards restoring the love and closeness they once shared.
I got to find a way To your heart My darling
Determined to reconnect with partner.
Along the way And find a place Where we went wrong
Reflecting on past mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Gotta get back to Where we belong
Desire to return to a sense of belonging with partner.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIM JACOBSEN, JOHN ROSEN, KAREN MANNO, KAREN J. MANNO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind