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!"
What You Won't Do For Love
Phyllis Hyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I searched to find the love within
I came back to ley you know
Got a thing for you
And I can't let go
My friends wonder what is wrong with me
Well I'm in a daze from your love you see
Got a thing for you
And I can't let go
Some people go around the world for love
And they may never find what they dream of
What you won't do, do for love
You tried everthing
But you don't give up
In my world only you
Make me do for love
What I would not do
My friends wonder what is wrong with me
Well I'm in a daze from your love you see
I came back to let you know
Got a thing for you
And I can't let go
And though I only want the best it's true
I can't believe the things I do for you
What you won't do, do for love
You've tried everything
But you won't give up
In my world only you
Make me do for love
What I would not do
The lyrics of Phyllis Hyman's song "What You Won't Do For Love" describe the singer's unwavering devotion to their lover, despite what others may think or say. The song suggests that some people go to great lengths for love, and that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their relationship. The lyrics also describe the singer's confusion and bewilderment at their own actions, suggesting that their love is so strong that they are willing to do things that they never thought possible. In essence, the song emphasises the intense and sometimes illogical nature of love, and how it can inspire people to do incredible things.
The lyrics of "What You Won't Do For Love" were written by songwriters Bobby Caldwell and Alfons Kettner. The song was originally released by Caldwell in 1978, but it was Hyman's version that became popular, reaching number six on the R&B charts in 1991. The song's popularity can be attributed to its catchy melody, as well as Hyman's soulful and emotive vocal performance. The song has since become a classic of the R&B genre and is still widely played today.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess you wonder where I've been
I've been searching for love within myself
I came back to let you know
I came back to tell you that I love you
Got a thing for you
I have a strong feeling of affection for you
And I can't let go
I can't stop thinking about you
My friends wonder what is wrong with me
My friends are curious because I am acting differently
Well I'm in a daze from your love you see
I'm feeling confused and overwhelmed by my feelings for you
Some people go around the world for love
Some people will do anything to find love
And they may never find what they dream of
But sometimes their search for love is unsuccessful
What you won't do, do for love
When you truly love someone, you will do anything for them
You tried everything
You have attempted all possible solutions
But you don't give up
But you refuse to quit
In my world only you
You are the only person that matters in my life
Make me do for love
You inspire me to do things for love
What I would not do
Things that I wouldn't normally do, I would do for you
And though I only want the best it's true
Although I desire only the best for myself, it's true
I can't believe the things I do for you
I'm surprised at the lengths I'm willing to go for you
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfons Kettner, Bobby Caldwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jermaine smelley
She's the Rolls Royce of females singers very classicalβ€
Your Mother
THIS!!!!!!
charlita25
π―
Mo_09
No one could touch her.
Madame Dee
Ka'BoOooOMMMMM
Madame Dee
@Mo_09 ABSOLUTELY NO ONE.
vcpcorp
I was devastated about how she left us. I wrote a song about her. Was going to submit it for a tribute special. Never did. Her greatest vocal performance in my opinion was "Meet me on the moon". She is arguably the greatest R&B female vocalist of the 20th century.
V Brown
Submit your tribute. I bet itβs beautiful.
Tone
My Top 5: Phyllis β€οΈππΎπ, Angie, Patti Austin, Patti Labelle and Anita. Each one just stirs my soul and release my spirit from a place in my heart that's been broken, healed or bubbling with passion. All legends.
El Iconoclasta Digital
Where did she go to?