Abstract: We introduce a novel approach to the hybrid-meson (valence-gluon+quark+antiquark) bound-state problem in relativistic quantum field theory. Exploiting the existence of strong two-body correlations in the gluon-quark, q(g) = [gq], and gluon-antiquark, (q) over bar (g) = [g (q) over bar] channels, we argue that a sound description of hybrids can be obtained by solving a coupled pair of effectively two-body equations; and, consequently, that hybrids may be viewed as highly correlated q(g)(q) over bar <-> q (q) over bar (g) bound states. Analogies may be drawn between this picture of hybrid structure and that of baryons, in which diquark (quark+quark) correlations play a key role. The potential of this formulation is illustrated by calculating the spectrum of light-quark isovector hybrid mesons.