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
Fly
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wish that I could fly up
Somewhere very high up above the blue day
Tell you all the things that I want to
Someone I could talk to on this cold blue day
Fly
So high
Fly
Wish that I could fly up
Somewhere very high on this cold blue day
Dream on, someone I could lean on
Till my fears have all gone on this cold blue day
And fly
So high
Blow away the thunder clouds I'm under
With the morning sun comes the evening shade
It will follow on and as far as I know
It will do it again tomorrow
Fly
Wish that I could fly up
Somewhere very high on this cold blue day
I'd tell you all the things that I want to
Someone I could talk to on this cold blue day
The lyrics to Judie Tzuke's song Fly describe the desire to escape from one's current life situation and find solace above the clouds. The singer longs to fly high up above the "blue day" and find someone to talk to about their troubles. They want to blow away the "thunder clouds" that are weighing them down and causing them difficulties. The repeated phrase "on this cold blue day" emphasizes the singer's sense of isolation and frustration with their current circumstances.
The chorus encourages the singer to fly even higher and blow away the thunder clouds that are causing them distress. The verse about the morning sun and evening shade suggests that this cycle of difficulties will continue, but the singer still longs for a way to rise above it. The final verse reiterates the singer's desire to find someone to talk to and escape the cold isolation of their current situation.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of yearning for escape and companionship in the face of difficulties. The desire to fly away above the clouds is a powerful symbol of freedom and release from earthly concerns.
Line by Line Meaning
Fly
The desire to fly away from struggles and hardships.
Wish that I could fly up
Desiring to escape and overcome current problems.
Somewhere very high up above the blue day
Wanting to rise above the ordinary and mundane daily life.
Tell you all the things that I want to
Expressing suppressed emotions and feelings to someone supportive.
Someone I could talk to on this cold blue day
Seeking comfort from a trustworthy confidant on a difficult day.
Fly
Reiterating the desire to escape, rise above and soar high.
So high
Wishing to be elevated to a higher level of consciousness, beyond current troubles.
Blow away the thunder clouds I'm under
Free oneself from the mental fog and let the sunlight of positivity come in.
Fly
Persisting in the dream of flying above it all, seeing the world with a new perspective.
Wish that I could fly up
Reiterating one's yearning to escape from the present struggles.
Somewhere very high on this cold blue day
Repeating the wish to rise above, and be in a better mental space.
Dream on, someone I could lean on
Believing that there is someone out there, who can provide emotional support.
Till my fears have all gone on this cold blue day
Hoping to find comfort and solace to overcome fear on this challenging day.
And fly
The need to take action, fly away towards new horizons and opportunities.
So high
Visualizing the feeling of elevation and liberation from obstacles and problems.
Blow away the thunder clouds I'm under
Desiring to clear the obstacles in life and feel renewed with positivity.
With the morning sun comes the evening shade
Observing the cycle of life where there is light and darkness, good and bad times.
It will follow on and as far as I know
Expressing uncertainty about the future, as it can be unpredictable.
It will do it again tomorrow
Anticipating that the cycle of light and darkness, happiness and sadness will repeat tomorrow.
Fly
Repeating the deep-seated desire to escape and soar above problems.
Wish that I could fly up
Stating the desire to escape and find peace from the ongoing struggles.
I'd tell you all the things that I want to
Sharing the inclination to open up and reveal what's inside to a trustworthy listener.
Someone I could talk to on this cold blue day
Explaining the need to reach out and communicate with a supportive person during tough days.
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.