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
How Sweet It Is
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I take your hand?
There's still a spark
You put your finger on the button and the whole thing starts
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
I know the dreams you've been having, looks like our lives are going to have to change
Don't get pushed into something that feels so wrong
It's a shot in the dark
You put your finger on the button and the whole thing starts.
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
Oh, how sweet it can be
What a life you've been given, you can carve people out of ice and stone
One day you're gonna lose your way
With your foolish heart
You put your finger on the button and the whole thing starts.
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
How sweet it is
Oh, how sweet it can be
In Judie Tzuke's song "How Sweet It Is," she sings about the fragility of relationships and how the slightest touch can spark a flame or turn a relationship upside down. In the first verse, Tzuke describes her heart as a desert, fragile and easily disturbed by the "big hole" her partner is making. Despite this, she extends her hand to him, hoping to find a spark of their past love. The line "you put your finger on the button and the whole thing starts" reflects how one small action can trigger a significant reaction and shows how unstable their relationship currently is.
In the second verse, Tzuke mentions the changes they need to make in their lives, which will inevitably alter their dreams. She opposes the idea of them doing something that feels wrong just to escape their current problems. The line "It's a shot in the dark" highlights how uncertain they both feel about their relationship's future. Again, Tzuke emphasizes how one step in the wrong direction can cause the whole relationship to unravel.
The final verse speaks about the partner's abilities and how they could get lost in their own world. Tzuke's warning to this partner that their foolish heart could unknowingly destroy them both encapsulates the overall message of uncertainty and vulnerability that runs through the whole song.
Line by Line Meaning
That's a big hole you're making, seven hundred miles across my desert heart
You are causing a lot of damage by digging such a deep hole in my emotions
Can I take your hand?
May I offer you my support?
There's still a spark
Despite the setbacks, there's still a chance for us to rekindle our love
You put your finger on the button and the whole thing starts
You have the power to start or stop this relationship, just like pushing a button
How sweet it is
It's such a wonderful feeling
Oh, how sweet it can be
It has the potential to be amazing
I know the dreams you've been having, looks like our lives are going to have to change
I understand your aspirations, but it seems like our lives might have to take a different course
Don't get pushed into something that feels so wrong
Don't let other people make decisions for you that don't align with your values
It's a shot in the dark
It's a risky move
What a life you've been given, you can carve people out of ice and stone
You have so much creativity and talent, you can create beauty from anything
One day you're gonna lose your way
Someday you might feel lost and uncertain
With your foolish heart
Acting impulsively, without considering the consequences
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tomasz Łomiński
Her voice feels so clear and fresh, haven’t heard of her until today.
Such a nice and delicate piece of 80s synthpop era.
moomin151
My gorgeous boyfriend bought this album for me in 1985. We saw Judie at Bristol, and i really enjoyed seeing her. Sad thing was we split up, no bad feelings, but, when i hear this album i cant help thinking of that dear time in my life, and the highs and lows. Lifes rich tapestry eh? Judie is a lady for all the seasons of my days. Never fails to engage my imagination. Thank you for this posting.xxxx
Dersu Uzala
One of her very best songs.
D C
Love this album
Daiichi 太陽
Simply wonderful. Thank you for posting
Luis Flores
PRECIOSO!
Orlando Furioso
Eins der besten Popmusik-Stücke der 80er, einfach genial!
Dave Hall
love this track...thank you...
MarcusTomatos
Probably the best track of 1985. Sadly not available as a download from Amazon...what's going on!
M Myselfandi
still love this, bought the album, shame no download...yet