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

I Can Read Books
Judie Tzuke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What goes on behind the picture? Is there something I can't see?
How can I be part of something I can't even touch or feel?
Oh no
We've got so much to discover
Open up and let me in

It's all that I can do to keep my hands from taking hold of you
Oh no

Why can't I just say that I love you?
Why must we play these games?
Tell me what I have to do
Tell me am I getting through?
I can read books but I can't read you
Oh no

Am I blind to your excuses? Have I missed a vital part?
In all that you've been saying I don't think you mean a single word
Oh no
Too much talk of how she hurt you
That was long before I came
I don't want to pay for pain that I won't let you feel again

Why can't I just say that I love you?
Why must we play these games?
Tell me what I have to do
Tell me am I getting through?
I can read books but I can't read you

Well I'm knocking on the doors but they won't open
'Cos I know that I can fix whatever's broken
I can read books but I can't read you

Tell me what I have to do

Tell me am I getting through?
I can read books but I can't read you

Overall Meaning

The song "I Can Read Books" by Judie Tzuke is about the difficulties one faces when trying to understand another person. The singer is struggling to connect with their partner, but they find it difficult to understand what the other person is feeling or what is going on behind the surface. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware that there is something hidden or unspoken that is preventing them from fully connecting with the other person. The singer expresses frustration, asking why they can't just say that they love the other person and why they must play these "games."

The lyrics also hint at a past hurt or pain that the other person experienced before the singer came into their life. The singer acknowledges that they don't want to pay for that past pain, but they also don't want to let the other person close enough to feel it again. Despite their efforts to communicate and understand, the singer feels like they are unable to truly connect with the other person.

Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the challenges of communication and intimacy in relationships. It captures the experience of feeling like you are on the outside looking in, trying to understand another person's experience but ultimately feeling like there is a barrier that cannot be crossed.

Line by Line Meaning

What goes on behind the picture? Is there something I can't see?
I'm curious about the hidden details and secrets of our relationship, is there something you're not showing me?

How can I be part of something I can't even touch or feel?
I don't understand how our love can be intangible and abstract, I need more reassurance from you

Oh no We've got so much to discover Open up and let me in
I'm worried that we are missing out on fully experiencing our relationship, please share more of yourself with me

It's all that I can do to keep my hands from taking hold of you Oh no
I am struggling to control my desire for you, it's overwhelming and scary

Why can't I just say that I love you? Why must we play these games? Tell me what I have to do Tell me am I getting through?
I am frustrated that our relationship is so complicated and unsure, please give me clarity and let me know if you feel the same way

I can read books but I can't read you Oh no
I am good at understanding literature, but I can't seem to figure out your thoughts and feelings

Am I blind to your excuses? Have I missed a vital part? In all that you've been saying I don't think you mean a single word Oh no
I am worried that I am not seeing the truth in your words and actions, and that you are not being genuine with me

Too much talk of how she hurt you That was long before I came I don't want to pay for pain that I won't let you feel again
I am tired of hearing about your past relationship and the pain it caused you, I don't want to be blamed for something I didn't do

Well I'm knocking on the doors but they won't open 'Cos I know that I can fix whatever's broken I can read books but I can't read you
I am ready to work on our relationship and make it better, but I can't do it alone, I need you to let me in

Tell me what I have to do Tell me am I getting through? I can read books but I can't read you
I am asking for your guidance and feedback, I want to know how to make our relationship stronger and more genuine

Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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