Phyllis Hyman -Never Say Never Again

[krisj827]

First time hearing this, sounds like a true Bond song.

[melizmatea]

What a shame they didn't use this - it's fabulous, and she deserved to have a hit with it.

[ohyeah1989]

apparently she did this in one take having onlt heard the song once... damn...

[doctorw2]

this is my song!

[adelgado75]

she had that powerful voice that was a perfect foil for the over-produced james bond theme songs.

[MURPHNSPUD]

@ChastenLoise

once again a big u wot????

a little....idk ????

don't get U??

or care that much lol

[MURPHNSPUD]

@ChastenLouise

very 'simply'

as i discover Phylis Hyman thru her albums

this one track is one i u and everyone else might never have heard

simples

[ChastenLouise]

@MURPHNSPUD I'm a mega fan. the "the poor cow topped herself" line a little....idk

But what you said was right, whenever she got a break (song in a mega movie) something happen to screw it up.

[darlinkula1]

R.I.P. Phyllis you had a beautiful heart & an amazing talent.

[NESHero]

This is probably the better song, but i don't know if it would have fit the opening sequence.

[MURPHNSPUD]

very simple louise this version makes me wanna baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawl my eyes out shes THAT good and just by luck all cylinders fired in this recording and then th dumb fucks at the cinema dept of bond or whoever did NOT this as 'THE' song 'you're souled /sold' geddit D' oh that was the 'fing' about the 007 theme songs you got the whole movie in 3.30 seconds - repeat ad lib chorus to fade - stylee 'we mem ber' this is pre tinternet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,­,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[MURPHNSPUD]

WOW FUCKING WOW

GET IT RIGHT

NO WONDER THE POOR COW TOPPED HERSELF

IF SHE CAN DO RECORDS THIS GOOD IN HER SLEEP

AND stil CANT GET ARRESTED

REMEMBER THIS TUNE

NEXT TIME U WATCH THE FUKKING X FACTOR SHYTE

[ChastenLouise]

@MURPHNSPUD huh?

[CSFLChampion]

This should have been used as the end theme.

[citizenlen]

ewww. lani hall's version sounded nasally. unlike ms. Hyman's version so sensual and the voice of a woman.

[MangoNinja]

She recorded this in one take.

[purtymonster]

The song IS good but that picture of her is incredible

[DaxShaw]

They should have used her version or had her record the version that they did use. She just never could catch a break poor thing

[69arcturus]

Thank you for posting this, this song is so beautiful. It truly says Bond and it also says Phyllis.

[jordanthewizard]

Alot better than the Lani Hall crap that sounds like a theme for a 70's porno.

[MrTeatreeoil]

Phyllis Hyman has so much PASSION IN HER VOICE!!! we really going to miss her

[anton1990]

Why in the name of sanity didn't they use this song in the movie? The song from the movie is blooddy awful.

[TheReturnOfStephan1]

Shortly before its release, Warner Bros. informed Stephen Forsythe, this track's co-writer, that the song could not be used because Michel Legrand, who wrote the score, threatened to sue them, claiming that, contractually, he had the right to the title song. Forsythe's song was not released until 2008.

[spackar]

I hear Phyllis Hyman's influence in Toni Braxton's singing. Anyone else?

[loveearth3355]

@spackar u totally nailed it! i couldn't put my finger on who i thought she sounded like

[viewtube6e]

@spackar yes! i do too.. 

[cjs33139]

@spackar I do! Good observation. :) I am a 70s child but never heard of Hyman's music really well until today (only heard of her) and she does sound very Toni B or should I say, vice versa. 

[OasisEnLaLunna]

@spackar I love Toni but she could never come close to the classy yet powerfully soulful approach Phyllis had so naturally

[daTruChosen]

@spackar BIG TIME ... check my comments on "Unsung - Phyllis Hyman (part 3)".

[leonbrain68]

At the time, Lani Hall was virtually unknown in the States, but was HUGE in Latin America. I think this was a last ditch effort make Lani better known in her own home country. But her style is better suited for Bossa Nove (she did sing lead on Sergio Mendes' "Mais Que Nada") and jazzy ballads, rather than rock, r&b or pop.

[OasisEnLaLunna]

@leonbrain68 Lani Hall was already popular in the States in the 70's. And everyone knew who she was because of her involvement with Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66. She was far from "virtually unknown".

[leonbrain68]

@OasisEnLaLunna Read it again, I said "virtually unknown", I didn't say "completely unknown".

Yes, she was kind of "known" as singing lead for Sergio Mendes, and she did have some albums

hit the chart but she had no solo top 40 singles. By contrast, in Latin America, she became

a house hold name in the early to mid 80s and even won a Grammy in 1986

(I forgot for which category).

[OasisEnLaLunna]

@leonbrain68 I am Latin and of age, I remember her being popular in the 80's. She was indeed popular but moreso in the U.S. Latino community, not so much internationally. Too bad she retired on her own accord from all music in the late 80's, she could have been even bigger. I just mean that she was definitely known in the U.S. If anything I am sure the Bond theme was a ploy with A&M records to promote her internationally. But Phyllis is still the best version

[sugaresplosion]

this song is gorgeous!

[akaziaj]

First time I really took the time to listen to this cut. Hyman's voice was indeed in top form.

Thanks for posting.

[zheahra]

Loved it.

Phyllis Hyman never got the recognition she deserved.

Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuah, Phyllis.

Miss you beautiful lady!!!!!

[QueenBumbleBee88]

she did this in one take after hearing it once....amazing!

God Bless

[bigdaddytrip]

This is certainly superior to the theatrical version. The version from the movie sounds like it was "Herb Albertized" so to speak (and it was). It was an emotionless piece of elevator music-crap. This version is actually a good song. Tanks for posting it; I've never heard it before.

[Babyboy1163]

lovely,gifted,talented,and beautiful phyllis hyman R.I.P

[Bear4Love1]

i like both. thank you for posting

[weaponx5k]

I don't know how anyone can prefer the Lani Hall version, maybe it's because they're familiar with it from the movie. This song is much more stirring and a better Bond song. Both songs are 'dated' by today's standards, but this song is more romantic, heartfelt and more 'Bondian' if there is such a thing. I said it before, and I'll say it again - if this song made it to the movie, people would call it a classic.

[leonbrain68]

The Lani version is AWESOME! I love both Herb Alper't's & Lani Hall's music.

[zordakAU]

I prefer the Lani Hall theme as well

[weaponx5k]

I agree it's a good song. Very atmospheric. If the NSNA composer wasn't romantically linked with Lani Hall (who sang the dreadful theatrical version), Hyman's version would have been used. It really is a good Bond song. I'm glad we have a chance to hear it now. It's also available for purchase on iTunes under Stephen Forsyth.

[moonlite37]

Many years ago I was in Georgetown walking down the streets with some friends. A limo stopped at a street light and I saw this beautiful woman looking back at me. The window came down, she smiled and said hello. I shook her hand and introduced myself. She said, "I'm Phyllis Hyman." Then she was gone.

[akaziaj]

Wow. What a powerful and memorable moment. I know it will forever be imprinted in your mind.

[1andonlychellexxx]

@bigdaddytrip The songwriter was quoted as saying... 'The legendary Phyllis Hyman was my first choice to sing the song and working with her is one of the highlights of my musical career. I personally auditioned and sang the song to her while she was having breakfast in her managers office. After agreeing to sing the song, she arrived at the studio and, without any rehearsal and only having heard the song sung once at the breakfast audition, sang the song in one perfect take.'

[bigdaddytrip]

@1andonlychellexxx I was referring to the story about moonlite37 "meeting" Phyllis Hyman.

[Ashenge]

Your story sucks. >:O

[09NXN06]

Its just one of those one in a million moments.

[DString20]

@moonlite37 you were a very fortunate man

[durgaaa]

@moonlite37 -- now WHY would she have done that ? Did she go around stopping under street lights and shaking hands with strangers as a hobby ? Your story makes NO sense.

[moonlite37]

@durgaaa You're absolutely right. It makes no sense that a star like Phyllis Hyman, would be kind to a nobody like me.

[BiPolarBS]

@moonlite37 I got to ride in the limo. I approached her and asked for a picture. The "guards" said "stand back", She said, "sure, come on up". That untouchable beauty in the limo was the most genuine, down to earth star I'd ever met.

[ifluvinguiswrong]

@moonlite37 I was so excited stumbling across her in a small shop. She had just had a concert I missed with Freddie Jackson and I asked her how it was and told her I always saw her when she was in DC (I lived there at the time) and she said I missed a great show. I was so awestruck. Couldn't believe I met her. Still dream about her at times. She's on stage and singing.

[sfbull39]

She recorded it in one take. She was so talented.

[jody808]

miss Phyllis

[lagatuda]

This is a nice song - very much in the Bond tradition. Should have been used in the film, at least in the end credits. Available as an MP3 at Amazon.

[ojodorado1]

This song is so gooood but im glad it wasn't on the film, the film is too cheesy and would match well with this serious and deep song(in a good way). By the way does any1 kno wer i can get his song?

[dandyhiphop]

I prefer Lani Hall. This is too bland.

[GemstoneFX]

I like the movie version, quite a bit actually --but I like this a lot more after hearing only once.

[Cleopatra1985]

They should have put this song in the James Bond movie, that other version is not so great. Well, even though it wasn't in the movie doesn't mean its not a great song because it is, that is the industries bad for not promoting it like it should have.

[arnaithir]

It certainly hits a few of those Bond buttons: drama, a torch singer, interesting chord structure. Not one of the best, but a really good one nonetheless.

[mangos47]

The song was written by Stephen Forsyth

[Tjmama5]

I listened to the version used in the movie, this definitely would have been a better choice.

[jrmriga]

Wow! This is something.

[lorilee32]

Great!