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 Will
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You say, I try to control you and the way your life goes on
You chose me so how come I seem so wrong?
I'm only trying to be near you, oh
If you want me to love you, I will
If you want me to need you, I will
If you tell me you love me,
Don't want to be drinking myself into oblivion
I don't know what you’re thinking and I feel I'm not the only one
You told me it's in my head, there's nothing going on
I wanna believe you, oh
If you want me to be there, I will
Although I'm not sure I should trust you, I will
But don't think that I won't leave
If I find out you lied to me, 'cause I will
If you want me to love you, I will
If you want me to need you, I will
But don't think that I won't leave
If I find out you lied to me, 'cause I will
The lyrics to Judie Tzuke's song "I Will" convey a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer is questioning their actions and feelings, wondering if they are doing something wrong to make their partner feel controlled. They express a willingness to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work, including loving and needing their partner, even if it means breaking down and crying for them.
However, there is also a sense of suspicion and doubt in the relationship. The singer is struggling to trust their partner and feels like they may be hiding something from them. They express a desire to believe their partner but also a readiness to leave if they find out they have been lied to. The lyrics capture the complexity and emotional turmoil of a relationship that is not entirely secure but still holds a strong connection.
Overall, "I Will" is a poignant and relatable depiction of the struggles and uncertainties that can arise in any romantic relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm here in the kitchen wondering what I've done
Feeling anxious and unsure about the state of the relationship and seeking answers for any wrongdoing
You say, I try to control you and the way your life goes on
Your partner has expressed concerns about feeling controlled and manipulated in the relationship
You chose me so how come I seem so wrong?
The singer is questioning why their partner chose to be with them despite feeling like they are always in the wrong
I'm only trying to be near you, oh
The singer only wants to be close to their partner and make the relationship work
If you want me to love you, I will
The singer is willing to love their partner if that is what they want
If you want me to need you, I will
The singer is willing to show dependency on their partner if that is what they want
If you tell me you love me, But you need me to break down and cry for you, I will
The singer is willing to meet their partner's emotional needs, even if it means breaking down and crying
Don't want to be drinking myself into oblivion
The singer is expressing a desire to avoid self-destructive behavior
I don't know what you’re thinking and I feel I'm not the only one
The singer is uncertain about their partner's thoughts and feelings and suspects there may be others involved
You told me it's in my head, there's nothing going on
The partner has dismissed the singer's suspicions and suggested they are imagining things
I wanna believe you, oh
Despite doubts, the singer wants to believe in their partner and the strength of their relationship
If you want me to be there, I will
The singer is willing to be present and available for their partner
Although I'm not sure I should trust you, I will
Even though the singer has trust issues, they will still try to trust their partner
But don't think that I won't leave, If I find out you lied to me, 'cause I will
The singer is warning their partner that they will leave if they find out they have been lying to them
Contributed by Tristan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.