After an education in the arts, music and drama, by the age of 15, Tzuke spent most of her time writing poems which she turned into songs and playing folk clubs, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. She went to Island Records to try and get a record deal and after she'd played two songs was asked if she had any more. She replied that she had twenty, which she didn't, and they asked her to come back and record them the following week. She didn't return, but their interest made her realise that she could have a career in music.
In 1977 Tzuke went to see managing director David Croker at Elton John's label 'Rocket Records' as their motto was "a label for artists". She played them a few songs, one of which was "Stay with Me Till Dawn" and was immediately signed to the new label. Judie and collaborator Mike Paxman spent the next six months or so recording her first album Welcome to the Cruise at Air Studios in London, with producer John Punter.
The first single was released in the summer of 1978, entitled "For You" and was greeted with great critical acclaim and substantial air-play but only reached the top 40.
This was to all change with the release of the Welcome to the Cruise album and the single "Stay with Me Till Dawn". The song stayed in the UK charts for 16 weeks, and she made three live appearances on Top of the Pops. The song became a firm favourite and is still played regularly on radio in the U.K. It has appeared on dozens of compilation albums and regularly appears in lists of all time most popular songs.
With the success of her debut album, Judie and Mike put together the first Judie Tzuke band. Paul Muggleton on guitar and backing vocals and Bob Noble on keyboards, along with bass player John Edwards and drummer Jeff Rich.
Tzuke and her band then toured for the next 18 months and made her second album Sportscar at Virgin's Manor studios, in Oxfordshire.
In 1980, Tzuke and her band toured America for three months as support to Elton John. The tour was well received, but during the tour Elton John decided to change the US distribution for his Rocket label from MCA to the new Geffin label. MCA consequently decided to stop all tour support and promotion for the acts on the Rocket label, which meant that Judie was playing to huge audiences, including 450,000 people in New York's Central Park, but no-one knew who she was and her records were not available in the shops.
She recorded her third album I Am the Phoenix, followed by another lengthy UK tour which culminated in appearances headlining the Glastonbury CND Festival and some summer festivals in Europe. She then made the decision to leave Rocket and to sign with Chrysalis Records.
Judie was by this time selling out halls all over the UK and in parts of Europe. Her next album Shoot the Moon was recorded mainly at Rockfield studios in Wales and was released in 1982.
During the spring tour two sell out shows at the Hammersmith Odeon (now The Carling Apollo) were recorded and later that year the acclaimed live album Roadnoise was released.
Judie, Mike and Paul wrote new songs and went to Mayfair studios in London to record her fifth album, augmenting her stage band with a number of other musicians.
Throughout the late 80s and 90s, Judie has continued to record and tour, and has set up her own record label. In addition, she is now successfully writing songs for other artists.
www.tzuke.com
Bailey's Song
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have no way of knowing when I will wake up from this dream
You can never tell
When something so strong can tear you from that mainstream
Growing, growing
Like a young tree your branches reach and hold me
I'm a willing prisoner of your innocence
I'll live inside your heart
Like a flower in the shadow of a mountain
A beacon in the dark
You lead me to a haven that I'm safe in
Growing, growing
'Till the sound of your voice is controlling
I'm drowning in the clouds of your warm breath
When I think of how I love you
You call out in the night
You fall into my arms and I can't say no
A little shaft of light
A tiny hand to hold and I won't let go
No, I won't let go
I'm captured by your spell
I have no way of knowing when I'll wake up from this dream
You can never tell
When something so strong can tear you from that mainstream
Growing, growing
Like a young tree your branches reach and hold me
I'm a willing prisoner of your innocence
When I think of how I love you
Growing, growing
'Till the sound of your voice is controlling
I'm drowning in the clouds of your warm breath
When I think of how I love you
Growing, growing
I think of how I love you
Judie Tzuke's song "Bailey's Song" is a beautiful tribute to the power of love. The lyrics paint the picture of someone who is helplessly entranced by their lover, who has cast a spell over them that they cannot escape from. They are a "willing prisoner" of the other's innocence, and are so deeply in love that they feel they will "live inside your heart like a flower in the shadow of a mountain."
The imagery of a tree is used throughout the song, with the singer feeling like they are being held by the other person's branches. The love between them is unstoppable and grows stronger every day, with the sound of the other's voice and the warmth of their breath completely consuming them. The singer cannot resist the other's call, falling into their arms and holding onto them tightly.
Overall, "Bailey's Song" is a beautiful and poetic exploration of the power of love and the way it can completely capture us, leaving us helpless and entranced by the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm captured by your spell
I am completely under your influence and spellbound.
I have no way of knowing when I will wake up from this dream
I am unsure when or if I will ever be able to escape from this enchantment.
You can never tell
There is no predicting the strength of such intense emotions and their ability to sway.
When something so strong can tear you from that mainstream
These intense feelings have the power to break one's regular routine and take them on a different path.
Growing, growing
These feelings are increasing with time and become more intense.
Like a young tree your branches reach and hold me
Just like how a young tree extends its arms to hold, I too am being held tightly in this emotional bond.
I'm a willing prisoner of your innocence
I am willingly captive to your purity and honesty.
When I think of how I love you
These thoughts of my love for you consume my every moment.
I'll live inside your heart
I will reside in your heart and be a part of you forever.
Like a flower in the shadow of a mountain
Just like how a flower thrives in the shadow of a mountain, I too grow stronger in the shadow of your love.
A beacon in the dark
You are the light that guides me through the darkness and uncertainty of life.
You lead me to a haven that I'm safe in
You take me to a comforting place where I feel secure and protected.
'Till the sound of your voice is controlling
Your voice has such power over me that it takes over all my senses and emotions.
I'm drowning in the clouds of your warm breath
I am engulfed and overwhelmed by your love and passion.
You call out in the night
You reach out to me in my darkest hours, giving me reassurance and comfort.
You fall into my arms and I can't say no
I am powerless to resist you when you reach out to me for support and warmth.
A little shaft of light
Even a tiny glimmer of hope or love is enough to make everything worthwhile.
A tiny hand to hold and I won't let go
I hold on tightly to the smallest gestures of love because they are precious and rare.
No, I won't let go
I will never let go of this love that has captured me and changed my life forever.
Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andi Hoy
Ive listerned to this song a few hundred times in my lifetime, holds so many memories and feelings, but hearing this at now 56 years old in a concert performance with all its originality yet with its imperfections from a studio take makes it even more perfect.
Judies rawness but touching and sensual voice just completes a perfect performance. Truly a work of art for us all to enjoy.
Julia Barrow
I’m 56 too 😊
I still remember it being at no.1 on Countdown for weeks. Still gives me goosebumps..
jon sebastian
@Julia Barrow Trust me Julia, big boys do cry and the live version is crippling, guess I must be human. Stay safe
Gloria Smith
Ive heard this song many times shes better live than the filmclip really enjoyed her performance
Jaxx Gray
😂 xx
Tom Thumb
My age also brother. We each have history that brings us to wonderful soulful music such as this.
Gareth Murtagh
Her voice is incredible! She can generate so much power yet a few bars later be so subtle. What a star!
Donna Corbin
Always loved this tune and love this live version her voice is so clear and perfect ❤ to me this tune will never get old xxx
JuzTroublez
The reverb is amazing on her already incredible voice.
roger slater
In many ways an underrated song that stays with you forever . It will always be one of my favourites .