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
Goodbye
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The birds can nest again
I'll only snow when the sun comes out
I'll shine only when it starts to rain
And if you want a drink
Just squeeze my hand
And wine will flow into the land
For I am a mirror
I can reflect the moon
I will write songs for you
I'll be your silver spoon
I'm sorry I took your time
I am the poem that doesn't rhyme
Just turn back a page
I'll waste away, I'll waste away
I'll waste away, I'll waste away
I'll waste away, I'll waste away
Judie Tzuke's song "Goodbye" is a poignant ballad about the end of a relationship. In the opening verse, Tzuke sings about the end of winter, suggesting that the difficult times have passed and new beginnings are possible. She then goes on to say that she will only show her true self when things are bad, suggesting that she has been hiding something for a long time. The next verse is more enigmatic, with Tzuke offering herself up as a kind of mystical figure. She suggests that she can provide nourishment and inspiration to those in need, but also that she is a mirror, reflecting the world around her. The final verse is the most emotional, with Tzuke apologizing for wasting someone's time and acknowledging that she is flawed, like a poem that doesn't rhyme. She closes the song by repeating the phrase "I'll waste away," suggesting that she is resigned to ending the relationship and fading away into obscurity.
Line by Line Meaning
And now that it's all over
After a long painful experience, everything has come to an end.
The birds can nest again
Nature resumes its natural cycle with peace and tranquility.
I'll only snow when the sun comes out
I'll be happy and content only when everything else falls into place.
I'll shine only when it starts to rain
I'll be there for you when times are tough, to offer you warmth and hope.
And if you want a drink
If you're thirsty or in need, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Just squeeze my hand
Make physical contact with me, and I'll be there for you.
And wine will flow into the land
I'll quench your thirst, providing you with nourishment and strength.
And feed my lambs
I am capable of nurturing others, and I will do so gladly.
For I am a mirror
I will reflect back to you whatever you need most, right when you need it.
I can reflect the moon
My sensitivity and intuition will help me see beyond what's immediately visible.
I will write songs for you
I'll express my emotions and experiences through art, and you'll be my muse.
I'll be your silver spoon
I will serve you well, and uplift you when you need it.
I'm sorry I took your time
I apologize for having been a burden or caused disappointment.
I am the poem that doesn't rhyme
I'm different, I don't fit in, but that's not a flaw - on the contrary, it makes me unique.
Just turn back a page
If you didn't like what you saw before, flip the page and start anew.
I'll waste away, I'll waste away
If I don't have anyone to care for me, I'll wither away and die.
Contributed by Arianna L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.