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
Lion
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took a minute of my time to see it through
You know I'd be dangerous
Just the sound of your hello and I believe
You could have away the heart I've on my sleeve
I'd be high on wanderlust
That would be like breathing out and breathing in
'Cause it's only natural
And I could say that it's all part of something new
But then that would be a lie and that won't do
I can only roll the ball
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
When it's time for you to go then you can leave
It's so good 'cause I can grow with what you give
Like a flower in your hand
Well, I can never lose the strength you showed me
I will not forget the fire that warmed me
I don't need to understand
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
You make me strong
Like a lion
And on a one-to-one
I draw the strength that I need
Blessed with a loaded gun
There's nothing stronger than me
Armed with the Viking sign
There's nothing that I don't see
Protect this heart of mine
And win this war against me
In Judie Tzuke's song Lion, the lyrics speak to a sense of empowerment that comes from being in a relationship with someone who makes you feel strong and capable. The opening lines describe the danger that could come from thinking about this person too much, suggesting that they have a significant hold over the singer. Just hearing their voice fills the singer with a sense of hope and a desire to explore the world, while also being content to simply accept the connection they have.
When the person inevitably leaves, the singer is grateful for the strength they brought to their life and feels capable of facing whatever comes next, comparing themselves to a lion. The final lines speak to the sense of personal power that comes from this strength, drawing on imagery from both Vikings and loaded guns to suggest a feeling of invincibility.
Line by Line Meaning
If I ever stopped to think about you
If I ever took a moment to ponder upon you
Took a minute of my time to see it through
To devote a little time and energy to understanding your essence
You know I'd be dangerous
I would be unstoppable in my urge to connect with you
Just the sound of your hello and I believe
Your simple greeting has the power to change my entire outlook
You could have away the heart I've on my sleeve
You possess the ability to take hold of my vulnerable heart
I'd be high on wanderlust
I would be filled with an insatiable desire for adventure with you
Now you ask me if I know where to begin
You pose the question of how to start our journey together
That would be like breathing out and breathing in
It would come as naturally to me as breathing
'Cause it's only natural
Because our connection is organic and genuine
And I could say that it's all part of something new
I could suggest that our union is a totally new experience
But then that would be a lie and that won't do
But to state that would be disingenuous and untrue
I can only roll the ball
I can simply make moves and hope for the best outcome with you
You make me strong
Your presence fills me with vigor
Like a lion
Like the King of the Jungle
When it's time for you to go then you can leave
You can depart when you must
It's so good 'cause I can grow with what you give
I can evolve through the lessons you teach me
Like a flower in your hand
I am under your care, like a delicate flower in your hand
Well, I can never lose the strength you showed me
I will always retain the courage you've instilled in me
I will not forget the fire that warmed me
I will never forget the passion that you've inspired me with
I don't need to understand
I don't need to fully comprehend our connection, it just exists
And on a one-to-one
In our intimate moments
I draw the strength that I need
I derive the power and resilience that I require
Blessed with a loaded gun
Endowed with great potential and force
There's nothing stronger than me
There's nothing that can weaken my love and commitment to you
Armed with the Viking sign
Fueled with the strength of a Viking warrior
There's nothing that I don't see
I can see and understand everything with great clarity
Protect this heart of mine
Preserve and guard my heart
And win this war against me
And vanquish any fears or doubts I have about our love.
Contributed by Ellie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.