Judie Tzuke (born Judie Myers, 3 April 1956, in London) is an English singe… Read Full Bio ↴Judie Tzuke (born Judie Myers, 3 April 1956, in London) is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.

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

Fate's Wheels
Judie Tzuke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You're asking me to put the cards on the table
Caterpillars become butterflies
You have to understand we're not playing a game
The game is playing us

Fate's wheels are slow and grinding
But sometimes the wheel starts to roll
And it pushes everything beside it

And only the strong survive

Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive

You watch how they twist and turn you
Watch where the knives come from
Don't let them know you feel them hurting
Only the strong survive

Fate's wheels are slow and grinding
But sometimes the wheel starts to roll
And it pushes everything beside it
And only the strong survive

Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive
Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive

Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive
Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive
Hold on to me if you need me
I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it
Only the strong survive

Hold on to me if you need me

I'll be holding on to you
We'll take our fate as they deal it...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Judie Tzuke's song Fate's Wheels speak about the unpredictability of life and the importance of being strong and resilient in the face of hardship. The first stanza talks about the need to be open and honest about one's intentions, as well as the transformative power of taking risks and embracing change. The next two stanzas focus on the harsh realities of life and how fate can be slow and unforgiving, but those who are strong enough to withstand the challenges will ultimately survive.

The chorus emphasizes the importance of holding onto loved ones and working together to face whatever fate may bring. The final stanza speaks about the need to be aware of those who would do harm, to not let them see how they are affecting you, and to continue to be strong in the face of adversity.

Overall, Fate's Wheels is a reminder that life can be difficult, but those who are strong and resilient will ultimately persevere.

Line by Line Meaning

You're asking me to put the cards on the table
You want honesty and a direct approach

Caterpillars become butterflies
Transformations are possible

You have to understand we're not playing a game
This is serious and not just for fun

The game is playing us
We aren't in control of the situation

Fate's wheels are slow and grinding
The process of fate is inevitable and not always quick

But sometimes the wheel starts to roll
Sometimes events happen swiftly and unexpectedly

And it pushes everything beside it
Events can change everything in their wake

And only the strong survive
Those who can handle the changes will come out strong

Hold on to me if you need me
I'm here to support you

I'll be holding on to you
I won't let you fall