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!"
Under Your Spell
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just like Sunday
Candy dreams inside my mind
I never knew
Loving could be this way
A trip on a star
Love keeps growing
Summer kiss
You're here with me
So happy to be this way
I should have told you
Every word I say is true
I'm so in love
So in love with you...
Cause I'm fallin' under your spell tonight
I'm fallin' under your spell so right
Love's calling under your spell tonight
Yes I'm falling under your spell so right
If this is a dream
Don't let me wake up
Don't disturb my fantasies
You are the best
You leave all the rest behind
Walks in the park
A Disney movie
Nursery rhymes and fairy tales
These are things loving you brings to me
I should have told you
Every word I say is true
I'm so in love
So in love with you...
Cause I'm fallin' under your spell tonight
Yes I'm fallin' under your spell so right
Love's calling under your spell tonight
Yes I'm falling under your spell so right
(I'm fallin baby
Fallin under your spell) (REPEAT OUT)
Walking in the park
Kissing in the dark
You got me under your spell
If this is a dream
Don't let me wake up
Don't disturb my fantasies...
The lyrics of Phyllis Hymanโs song โUnder Your Spellโ reflect the state of being in love and the euphoric feeling of being loved back. The opening lines, โItโs after the rain, Itโs just like Sunday,โ symbolize the freshness that love brings after difficult times. The phrase โCandy dreams inside my mindโ paints a picture of the sweetness and idealism that comes with being in love. The line โI never knew loving could be this way,โ suggests a sense of wonder and fulfillment that comes with the capacity to love and be loved.
The singer describes the experience of being โunder the spellโ of her lover. She reveals that she is falling deeper in love and is elated to be with the one she loves. The repetition of the phrase โI'm fallin' under your spell tonightโ highlights the overwhelming feeling of being under the influence of love. The lines, โIf this is a dream, Don't let me wake up, Don't disturb my fantasies,โ indicate a sense of insecurity in the relationship, and that the singer is aware that the happiness she feels could be fleeting.
Overall, โUnder Your Spellโ is a sweet and romantic song about being in love and the trepidations that come with it. It portrays the beauty and mystery of falling in love and being vulnerable to someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
It's after the rain
After a turbulent period in my life, I have found peace and calmness.
It's just like Sunday
My heart is light, and I feel like I am surrounded by love and warmth.
Candy dreams inside my mind
My mind is filled with sweet and beautiful fantasies of love and happiness.
I never knew
I was unaware that love could be this wonderful and fulfilling.
Loving could be this way
I am amazed by how joyful and amazing love can truly be.
A trip on a star
Being in love feels like a magical journey to a beautiful and serene place in the skies.
Love keeps growing
My affection for you only grows stronger with every passing day.
Summer kiss
Kissing you feels like the warm embrace of the summer sun.
It's nicer knowing
My life is much more beautiful and complete with you in it.
You're here with me
Your presence brings me comfort, joy, and happiness.
So happy to be this way
I am grateful and fulfilled to be in a loving relationship with you.
I should have told you
I regret not expressing my true and honest feelings to you earlier.
Every word I say is true
My love for you is sincere, honest, and genuine.
I'm so in love
I am deeply and passionately in love with you.
Cause I'm fallin' under your spell tonight
I am captivated, mesmerized, and enchanted by your love and affection.
Love's calling under your spell tonight
Love is summoned by your enchanting, alluring, and appealing nature.
Yes I'm falling under your spell so right
I am experiencing pure love and bliss in your presence.
If this is a dream
I cannot believe that my reality is this perfect and beautiful.
Don't let me wake up
I hope that my happiness and contentment with you never ends or fades away.
Don't disturb my fantasies
I wish to keep my mind filled with beautiful thoughts of love and wonder.
You are the best
You are simply an amazing and wonderful person.
You leave all the rest behind
You stand out from everyone else and are truly special in my eyes.
Walks in the park
Simple and beautiful moments with you, like taking strolls in the park, bring me immense joy and satisfaction.
A Disney movie
Being with you feels like experiencing a beautiful fairy tale or story.
Nursery rhymes and fairy tales
Being with you makes me feel like a child again, filled with wonder, excitement, and magic.
(I'm fallin baby
Fallin under your spell) (REPEAT OUT)
I am falling deeper in love with you, completely vulnerable and captivated by your love and presence.
Walking in the park
Simple and beautiful moments with you, like taking strolls in the park, bring me immense joy and satisfaction.
Kissing in the dark
Being with you feels intimate, emotional, and deeply loving.
You got me under your spell
I am completely and entirely under your charm, love, and affection.
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Westmorland
This woman is missed, but not forgotten!!!!
DeeperFunk McMa
John Westmorland Thanks For Your Comment !!!
Bobby Alston
Rock Solid Classic! Timeless....this was the ultimate in a mid tempo ballad or "slow disco" if you will. The type of song that you grabbed the one you loved real close and just grooved to. A special tune from an eternally special lady.
DeeperFunk McMa
Thanks For Your Comment !!!
April Reign
Phyllis was so beautiful. A shame she felt unloved in this cruel cold hearted world. I could only imagine how alone she must of felt in her darkest hours I wish she still was here on earth with us. Rest easy angel song bird!
gordon Campbell
I saw her in London 1986. I totally agree with your sentiment.
shihlin1
Timeless classic, not just the song, but Phyllis as well.
Can you tell this was recorded 1979 ? No way !
Songs and singers from that era don't disappear, their influence is here to stay.
Phyllis was one of a kind.
DeeperFunk McMa
shihlin1 Thanks For your Comment !!!
Omar McCoy
James mtume very talented cat..under your spell and you know how to love me is a masterpiece. He did a good job writing and producing those songs. Phyllis Hyman is amazing.
DeeperFunk McMa
Omar McCoy Thanks For Your Comment !!!