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
Dominique
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shut out of the playground and into the home
Bored with her life she wants to see more
She looks for a way to free herself
from the prison her family built around her
With high hopes of a good match
Once a week, when they meet, Dominique
Dominique dances
Dominique dances
Out of her time she glides through the haze
He tells her stories of glamorous days and romance in the future
He takes her step by step and they tango through the run down ballroom
With high hopes of a good life
Once a week, when they meet, Dominique
Locks the door, takes the key and gradually, gracefully
Dominique dances
Dominique dances
And they're dreaming when they're dancing
And they're smiling when they're dancing
And he loves her when they're dancing
And she's happy when they're dancing
And they're dreaming when they're dancing
And they're smiling when they're dancing
And he loves her when they're dancing
And she's happy when they're dancing
Dominique dances
Dominique dances
Dominique dances
Dominique dances
In Judie Tzuke's song "Dominique," the lyrics tell the story of a smalltown girl who is often alone and feels trapped by the life that her family has built around her. Bored with her mundane existence, she seeks a way to break free and see more of the world. Dominique's only escape is once a week when she meets up with someone, presumably a romantic interest, in a run-down ballroom. Together, they dance through the haze and he tells her stories of glamorous days and romance in the future, giving her hope for a better life.
The lyrics paint a picture of a desperate desire to break free from the restrictions and monotony of small town life, and to find joy and happiness within the confines of a limited existence. The simple pleasure of dance becomes a symbol of freedom, happiness, and hope for Dominique. Through dance, she can escape her mundane existence and live in the moment, dreaming of a better future.
Overall, "Dominique" is a deeply metaphorical song that speaks to the human desire for joy, happiness, and the hope of a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Smalltown girl, so often alone
A girl from a small town who often feels isolated and alone.
Shut out of the playground and into the home
She feels excluded and trapped in her home life.
Bored with her life she wants to see more
She is discontented with her life and wants something more.
She looks for a way to free herself from the prison her family built around her
She is seeking a way to escape her restrictive family life.
With high hopes of a good match
She hopes to find a good partner to improve her life.
Once a week, when they meet, Dominique
Describing a regular weekly meeting Dominique has.
Locks the door, takes the key, then awkwardly, desperately Dominique dances
Dominique dances awkwardly and desperately, as if it is a way to escape her situation.
Out of her time she glides through the haze
She feels like she is from another era as she dances.
He tells her stories of glamorous days and romance in the future
The man she meets tells her stories of a more exciting and romantic future.
He takes her step by step and they tango through the run down ballroom
He teaches her how to tango and they dance in a run-down ballroom together.
With high hopes of a good life
They both hope that dancing together will lead to a better life.
And they're dreaming when they're dancing
Dancing is a way for them to escape reality and dream of a better life.
And they're smiling when they're dancing
They find joy in dancing and it makes them feel happy.
And he loves her when they're dancing
The man feels love towards Dominique when they are dancing together.
And she's happy when they're dancing
Dominique feels happy when dancing with the man she meets.
Dominique dances
Repeating the phrase from the chorus, highlighting the importance of dancing for Dominique.
Dominique dances
Repeating the phrase from the chorus, highlighting the importance of dancing for Dominique.
Contributed by Penelope F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nick Smith
Best track on the best album 😃 🧡🧡🧡 💃💃💃
m5177
Agree best album 😊😊
p A
This is classic Judie (at her very very best!).
Neil Poole
One of those tracks they need to dance to on BBC Strictly Come Dancing
CosmicBoy 1969
Love the story of the lovers.