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
Come Hell Or Waters High
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know it's you and I
Just as the earth needs the skies
I need you
And if I feel alone
I know your heart's my home
And when I die
And it's easy to say
I'll never pass a day
That won't have you in my mind
And if your love should fall away
And you feel that you just can't stay
Then I'll love you
I'll love you wherever you are
Come Hell or waters high
I know it's you and I
Just as the earth needs the skies
Oh, I need you
And if I feel alone
I know your heart's my home
And when I die
It will be loving you
And it's easy to say
I'll never pass a day
That won't have you in my mind
And if your love should fall away
And you feel that you just can't stay
Then I'll love you
I'll love you wherever you are
Come Hell or waters high
I know it's you and I
Just as the earth needs the skies
Oh, I need you
Oh, I need you
In "Come Hell Or Waters High," Judie Tzuke sings about the intense, unbreakable connection she shares with her lover. She compares their love to the essential connection between the earth and the sky, emphasizing how necessary it is for them to be together. She knows that, no matter what comes their way, they will remain together, whether it be hell or high waters. When she feels alone, she finds solace in knowing that her lover's heart is her home. Furthermore, she promises to love her partner no matter where he may be, even if their love fades away or he feels like he has to leave.
Tzuke's powerful lyrics speak to the universal human desire for love, compassion, and understanding. The declaration of staying together through the harshest of times sets a strong, emotional tone. The singer conveys a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for her partner's presence in her life. Likewise, she acknowledges the importance of the connection between two individuals that goes beyond just simple companionship. Through these lyrics, Tzuke shows that true love can weather any storm, and nothing can break the bond between two connected souls.
Line by Line Meaning
Come Hell or waters high
No matter what challenges we may face, I am confident that we will face them together, as a team.
I know it's you and I
Together, we make an unbreakable duo that can face anything.
Just as the earth needs the skies
Just as the earth needs the skies to thrive, I too need you to be the best version of myself.
I need you
I need you more than anything else in the world.
And if I feel alone
If I ever feel lonely, I know that your love will provide me with the comfort I need.
I know your heart's my home
I feel most at home when I'm with you, surrounded by your love.
And when I die
When I pass on from this world, the last thing on my mind will be how much I love you.
It will be loving you
I will love you until my final breath, and beyond.
And it's easy to say
It's easy for me to boast about my love for you, but it's the action that counts.
I'll never pass a day
I will never let a day go by without thinking about you and what you mean to me.
That won't have you in my mind
You are always on my mind, even when I seem preoccupied with other things.
And if your love should fall away
Even if your love for me diminishes or wavers, mine for you will never falter.
And you feel that you just can't stay
If you feel like you can't stay by my side, I will still love you, no matter where you go.
Then I'll love you
My love for you is unconditional, and it will never fade away.
I'll love you wherever you are
No matter where life takes us, my love will always follow you, no matter what.
Oh, I need you
I can't stress enough how much I rely on you, you are my rock and my sanctuary.
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.