Nelson was born in Indiana. She worked and recorded for several years from the late 1970s into the mid 1980s without achieving much success. Her records were usually dance tracks, and she had also recorded quite a number of records during the disco era. In 1985 she recorded a self written ballad entitled "Move Closer". It was a complete departure from the type of music she had been recording.

The lyrics of "Move Closer" were based on a long term love affair she had, with a much younger white Jewish man in Philadelphia, who was struggling to start his own computer business.^{[citation needed]} They lived together for several years, raising together Nelson's two children (Marc and Kenya), that she had borne earlier by two different men.

While "Move Closer" failed to find an audience in her home country, it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in early May 1985, making her the first black woman to top that chart with a self-composed offering.^{[citation needed]} The song remained on the chart for almost six months, and became one of the highest selling singles of the year. But her subsequent releases failed to make any impression, and she is eternally remembered as a one-hit wonder.

In the United States, Nelson had success on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, where her song entitled "I Like You" peaked at number one in 1985. "I Like You" reached the no. 29 in the french dance charts.

"Move Closer" returned to the UK chart in 1994, reaching the Top 40, after being featured in a television commercial for anti-perspirant. Nelson died from breast cancer in Los Angeles. She had been living there at the time of her death, and was also divorced. She was 47 years old.

Phyllis Nelson - Move Closer

A Side: Move Closer

B Side: Somewhere In The City

Condition: Excellent

Sleeve,  Excellent

Released on the Carrere   Label

Date: 1984

Number: CART 337

All vinyl is played prior to dispatch to ensure good playback.

If you require further info` contact me.

Record Grading

The grading system I use when determining the condition of the vinyl is The 'Record Collectors' Grading System, taken from the Rare Record Price Guide book.

Mint (M) The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Near Mint (NM) The record looks brand new with no scuffing or any deterioration in sound quality and only the smallest hint that its ever been played. The cover and any additional extras are clean, crisp and with no wear whatsoever.

Excellent (EX) The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good (VG) The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good (G) The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair (F) The record is still just about playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor (P) The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

I will not refund you if have not read and understood the grading system I use.

To illustrate my point: if I describe a record as Good (G), it's not brand new or excellent - sound quality has noticeably deteriorated and the cover may be damaged with splits or discoloration.