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!"
The Answer Is You
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was just a rider on the storm
I needed love to keep me feeling warm
I was hanging around with nothing else to do
It's about time that I found something new
The answer boy is you
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didn't stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
The answer boy is youοΏ½ the answer boy is you
When you touch me there's something deep inside
That tells me you're the reason I'm alive
I was going insane until I found you boy
I was out in the rain but now the sky is clear
The answer boy is you, the answer boy is you
Where have you been all my life?
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didn't stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
The answer boy is you the answer boy is you
Where have you been all my life?
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didn't stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
The answer boy is you the answer boy is you
Is you
Riding on the storm, keep my loving warm
Yeah yeah
The answer boy is you
The answer
The answer is you boy
You are the answer uh uhh
Come on and give me come on and give me
Yeah yeah love
In this song, Phyllis Hyman expresses her gratitude and appreciation for her partner who has transformed her life from feeling like she was "just a rider on the storm" to feeling loved and needed. She acknowledges that prior to finding this person, she was aimlessly hanging around with nothing to do. However, since finding this person, she finally found something new - a deep, genuine love. She sings that this person is the answer to all that she has been searching for.
Hyman goes on to express how meeting this person has changed her life, how he has filled a void that she didn't even realize was there. She sings that he made everything right for her, and she didn't stand a chance prior to meeting him. She seems to acknowledge that this love is a sweet romance, and the answer to her yearning. Whenever he touches her, she feels the deep connection between them, and she credits her continued existence to him. She ends the song on a grateful and appreciative note, with joyous pleadings for more love.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just a rider on the storm
I was aimlessly wandering through life without direction or purpose
I needed love to keep me feeling warm
I required love to fill the void and loneliness within me
I was hanging around with nothing else to do
My life was stagnant and had no excitement or change
It's about time that I found something new
I was overdue for a transformative experience or relationship
The answer boy is you
You are the solution to my problems and the source of my newfound happiness
Where have you been all my life?
I wish I had met you sooner and wonder how I had lived without you
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
I felt empty and directionless until you entered my life and gave it meaning
No I didn't stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
I was unable to find happiness until I discovered love through our relationship
When you touch me there's something deep inside
I feel a strong connection and attachment to you that goes beyond physical touch
That tells me you're the reason I'm alive
You are my motivation and the reason I have a purpose to live
I was going insane until I found you boy
I was struggling mentally and emotionally until you provided a stable and supportive presence
I was out in the rain but now the sky is clear
My life had been gloomy and depressing, but with you, everything is clear and hopeful
Is you
The only answer to my problems and source of my happiness is you
Riding on the storm, keep my loving warm
Facing life's challenges with your support keeps the love between us strong
The answer boy is you
You are my everything and my answer to every problem I face
The answer
You are the solution and key to my happiness
The answer is you boy
Only you have the ability to fulfill my needs and make me happy
You are the answer uh uhh
You are the source of all the solutions I need in my life
Come on and give me come on and give me
I need your love and support to keep me going
Yeah yeah love
Your love is essential to my life and makes everything worthwhile
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ellayjah Trammell
I was just a rider on the storm
I needed love to keep me feeling warm
I was hanging around with nothing else to do
Its about time that I found something new
The answer boy is you
Where have you been all my life?
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didnt stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
The answer boy is you are the answer boy is you
When you touch me theres something deep inside
That tells me youre the reason Im alive
I was going insane until I found you boy
I was out in the rain but now the sky is clear
The answer boy is you, the answer boy is you
Where have you been all my life?
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didnt stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
\n The answer boy is youre the answer boy is you
Where have you been all my life?
I was nothing I was nowhere till you came and made it right
No I didnt stand a chance till I found this sweet romance
The answer boy is youre the answer boy is you
Is you are
Riding on the storm, keep my loving warm
Yeah yeah
The answer boy is you
The answer
The answer is you boy
You are the answer uh uhh
Come on and give me come on and give me
Yeah yeah love
Leartis Black
I think the music of Phyllis Hyman should never be forgotten she was one of the best in the world......
pony tail Childs
Agree, yes she was
Gram Strong
ππΎππΎππΎππΎ
Stephanie
I will NEVER FORGET HER!!!! I LOVE her music!!! She was one of the BEST to do it!!!!
robert daughtry
I just found out about her 5 years ago and I really love her music brother your so right
James Evans
Yes she was, I love her music still today
DeCarlo Turner
This song still speaks to the heart in 2019!Β Phyllis' voice is like none other!
Renny Felson
Phyllis hyman probably one of the greatest female singers.
Jim Magee
When I listen to Phyllis Hyman, I favorably contrast her delivery to Frank Sinatra. Clear, heartfelt expressions, almost spoken - but sung like Sinatra delivers a song. BEAUTIFUL.
dippedinhoney
Hyman, #CapitalH :/