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!"
Tell Me What You're Gonna Do
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I haven't heard from you
I really need for you to want me too
I don't know
I can't say
That you could ever have me, baby
Hey, hey, hey
Feeling all alone
CHORUS
Tell me what you're gonna do
I'll see you through if you really want me to
Tell me what you're gonna do
Treat me right and I'll do anything for you
I'm moving on
I'm outta here
I've got a life
Don't you see my dear
I don't need this pain
Driving me insane
Please be good to me
I can't go on this way
Don't make me wait too long
CHORUS
Tell me what you're gonna do
I'll see you through if you really want me to
Tell me what you're gonna do
Treat me right and I'll do anything for you
CHORUS
Tell me what you're gonna do
I'll see you through if you really want me to, baby
Tell me what you're gonna do
Treat me right and I'll do anything for you
Hey, ooh, ooh, ooh,
Hey, hey, hey
Darling tell me what you're going to do
What are your intentions [what do you want]
We have lost direction [now that you've gone]
From the very day we met
Show me some affection [show it to me]
My heart needs protection [that's what I need]
From this loneliness I'm feeling inside
Oh, oh
[scatting]
CHORUS
Tell me what you're gonna do
I'll see you through if you really want me to
Tell me what you're gonna do
Treat me right and I'll do anything for you
I need to know it [Tell me what you're gonna do]
You've got to show it
Don't keep me hanging on
Or I'll be gone, gone, gone
Tell me what you're gonna do
Don't mistreat me
Come on baby, if you need me
Tell me what you're gonna do
Ill see you, I'll see you through
Tell me what you gonna do
I'll see you, I'll see you through
I need to know it
You've got to show it
The lyrics to Phyllis Hyman's song "Tell Me What You're Gonna Do" express the frustration and uncertainty of a relationship in flux. The singer hasn't heard from their partner and is unsure if they will ever reciprocate their feelings. They feel alone and pained, and are contemplating moving on if their partner doesn't make a commitment. The chorus is a plea for clarity - a request for their partner to declare their intentions and treat them with respect. The scatting in the middle of the song conveys the longing and restlessness the singer feels.
Overall, the lyrics are a reminder of the importance of communication in relationships. The singer is reaching out to their partner, asking for honesty and vulnerability, and letting them know exactly what they need to feel loved and supported. It's a poignant and relatable message that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
An exclamation to grab the listener's attention and set the mood for the song.
I haven't heard from you
The singer has not received any contact or communication from a certain person.
I really need for you to want me too
The singer desires for the other person to reciprocate their feelings and show interest in their relationship.
I don't know
The artist is unsure about certain things in the relationship or the other person's intentions.
I can't say
The artist is unable or hesitant to express their true feelings or thoughts.
That you could ever have me, baby
The singer doubts the possibility of a satisfying and long-lasting romantic relationship with the other person.
Hey, hey, hey
Another exclamation to increase the emotional impact of the lyrics.
I can't go on this way
The artist is experiencing emotional pain, loneliness or dissatisfaction caused by the current circumstances in the relationship.
Feeling all alone
The artist is experiencing a sense of isolation, disconnection from others, and lack of emotional support.
Tell me what you're gonna do
A plea for the other person to clarify their intentions and express their commitment to the relationship.
I'll see you through if you really want me to
The singer is willing to invest time, effort, and emotional energy to maintain the relationship but only if the other person proves to be genuinely interested and supportive.
Treat me right and I'll do anything for you
The artist is expressing their desire to be treated with respect, kindness, and consideration in the relationship and indicates that it will motivate them to do anything to make the relationship work.
I'm moving on
The singer is attempting to end the relationship and move forward with their life without the other person.
I'm outta here
The singer is expressing their intention to leave the current situation, possibly due to feeling unfulfilled, neglected, or unhappy.
I've got a life
The singer is asserting their independence, autonomy, and self-worth regardless of the relationship status.
Don't you see my dear
The artist is expressing frustration at the other person's lack of awareness or consideration for their feelings and needs.
I don't need this pain
The artist is stating their desire to avoid emotional distress, agony or hurt caused by the relationship's difficulties or uncertainty.
Driving me insane
The singer is describing the harmful, disturbing, or distressing impact that the relationship's negative aspects have on their mental and emotional well-being.
Please be good to me
The singer is requesting the other person to act kindly, respectfully, and thoughtfully towards them.
Don't make me wait too long
The artist is experiencing impatience, frustration, or anxiety caused by the lack of communication or resolution from the other person regarding their relationship status.
What are your intentions [what do you want]
The artist is directly asking the other person to clarify their goals, motivations, and desires regarding the relationship status.
We have lost direction [now that you've gone]
The artist is describing the feeling of being lost, unsure, and uncertain about the relationship future after the other person has withdrawn or become distant.
From the very day we met
The singer is emphasizing the importance and significance of the relationship and how it has shaped their lives since it began.
Show me some affection [show it to me]
The artist is asking for physical or emotional displays of love, care, or tenderness from the other person.
My heart needs protection [that's what I need]
The singer is expressing their need to be emotionally guarded or shielded from potential emotional pain, heartbreak or disappointment.
From this loneliness I'm feeling inside
The singer is describing the internal emotional state of feeling isolated, uncared for, or disconnected from others.
Tell me what you're gonna do
The singer repeats the question and request for clarification regarding the other person's intentions and commitment to the relationship.
I need to know it [Tell me what you're gonna do]
The artist emphasizes their emotional desperation and eagerness to receive reassurance and clarity about the relationship's status.
You've got to show it
The artist emphasizes the importance of the other person's actions in expressing their commitment and demonstrating their desire to maintain the relationship.
Or I'll be gone, gone, gone
The singer warns the other person about the consequences of not showing enough effort, commitment or interest in the relationship, which will lead to the end of it.
Don't mistreat me
The singer is expressing their desire to be treated fairly, respectfully, and without harm or abuse in the relationship.
Come on baby, if you need me
The artist suggests that they are willing to invest in the relationship and provide emotional support to the other person if they are willing to reciprocate.
I'll see you, I'll see you through
The artist repeats their willingness to support and invest in the relationship if the other person demonstrates commitment and effort.
I need to know it
The artist repeats their emotional need and longing for reassurance and clarity regarding the relationship.
You've got to show it
The singer repeats the importance of the other person's actions in demonstrating their commitment and desire to maintain the relationship.
Contributed by Annabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.