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
Living On The Coast
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see no one beyond the waterline
You make yourself feel better
By breathing in the air
Try to make the most
Of every day you can afford to waste
But even though you take your time
You don't have to care
'Cause all you wanna find is there
And what you see is what you take, apart from me
'Cause I won't be with you
Even with the sun
Shining just enough to make you stay
You know the warm wind pulls you
You call it your own
A little conversation
Just another way to pass the time
Another day forgotten, but you're still alone
'Cause all you wanna find is there
And what you see is what you take, apart from me
'Cause I won't be with you
If sometime
I take the time to reach you
Would you think I'm someone special?
And if I was alone with you
Who would need the sympathy?
Living on the coast
See no one beyond the waterline
You make yourself feel better
By breathing in the air
Try to make the most
Of every day you can afford to waste
But even though you take your time
You don't have to care
'Cause all you wanna find is there
And what you see is what you take, apart from me
'Cause I won't be with you
If sometime
I take the time to reach you
Would you think I'm someone special?
And if I was alone with you
Who would need the sympathy? Yeah
If sometime
I take the time to reach you
Would you think I'm someone special?
And if I was alone with you
Who would need the sympathy?
(Who would need the sympathy?)
(Who would need the sympathy?)
In the song "Living on the Coast" by Judie Tzuke, the lyrics talk about a person who is living on the coast and is essentially isolated from the world beyond the waterline. The person tries to make the most of every day they can afford to waste, but they are still alone. The person finds solace in breathing in the air and enjoying the warm sun and wind. However, even though they appear to have everything they need, the person is still searching for something more. The song implies that the person is searching for a special connection with someone, but they remain isolated and alone.
The lyrics suggest that the person is content with living on the coast, but there is a sense of longing and searching for something more. The lyrics "all you wanna find is there" and "what you see is what you take, apart from me" indicate that the person is looking for something specific that they have not been able to find. The lyrics "if sometime I take the time to reach you, would you think I'm someone special?" implies that the person is open to the idea of a connection, but they are unsure if they will find what they are looking for.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of isolation and a search for connection. It suggests that the person is content with their current situation, but they still long for something more. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they convey a sense of vulnerability and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Living on the coast
Living on the coast.
You see no one beyond the waterline
You keep to yourself and do not interact with others beyond the coast.
You make yourself feel better
You find ways to feel content and happy.
By breathing in the air
By inhaling the fresh sea breeze.
Try to make the most
Try to enjoy every moment.
Of every day you can afford to waste
Of the days you have to spare leisurely.
But even though you take your time
Despite not being in a hurry.
You don't have to care
You do not have to worry or be concerned about anything or anyone.
'Cause all you wanna find is there
You believe all you need is already there.
And what you see is what you take, apart from me
You only take what you can physically see, but not me since I am absent.
'Cause I won't be with you
I will not be with you.
Even with the sun
Despite the presence of the sun.
Shining just enough to make you stay
The sun is warm and inviting, making you stay.
You know the warm wind pulls you
You feel the urge to move and explore driven by the warm wind.
You call it your own
You refer to the coast and its surroundings as your own.
A little conversation
A brief exchange of ideas and opinions.
Just another way to pass the time
An activity that helps you spend your time.
Another day forgotten, but you're still alone
Another day that passed without much significance, and you remain solitary.
If sometime
If one day.
I take the time to reach you
I try to connect with you.
Would you think I'm someone special?
Would you consider me unique or important?
And if I was alone with you
If we were together, just the two of us.
Who would need the sympathy?
Who would require consolation or understanding?
See no one beyond the waterline
You still do not interact with anyone beyond the coast.
If sometime
If one day.
I take the time to reach you
I try to connect with you.
Would you think I'm someone special?
Would you consider me unique or important?
And if I was alone with you
If we were together, just the two of us.
Who would need the sympathy? Yeah
Who would need consolation or understanding? Yeah.
Who would need the sympathy?
Who would require consolation or understanding?
Contributed by Andrew B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrew Connected
This song, especially the forlorn keyboards, percussion & bass that kick it off, still grab me after almost 40 years. I was awash in mental and spiritual anxiety when I first heard it, and this song and Judie’s voice evoke that time for me in a way that I find strangely beautiful now.
MrMjp58
Her vocal delivery and the arrangements on this album are exquisite. I think she - and her brilliant band, never quite got the recognition they deserved.
Such a yearning and romantic mood.
She was rather wonderful.
Brendan Carroll
Can’t believe I’ve loved this song for 40 years.
Stan Twice
First heard this track on the radio at 3:30am around 5 years ago getting ready for work and it stopped me dead, I couldn't believe I'd never heard of her, I then proceeded to deep dive and bought a load of her albums, she seems to be forgotten, her voice is so beautiful and haunting.
SonicAxiom
Thanks for sharing your story, Stan!
Ron Guy
This is one of my all time favorites. Thanks for the upload.
Wayne Panter
Ron Guy, you just said it for me, superb 👍
SonicAxiom
Thanks for commenting, Ron! All the best!
Redsen West
I have always liked Judie Tzuke's voice and her music since first hearing her in 1979. You know, I think I'll buy "Sportscar."
evil ed
why have I only discovered this in 2021?! I live on the coast. love this/her