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
On Days Like These
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember how we used to run away from crowds
And you and me would be happy just to be together
When time allowed
On days like these I wish I could find the road that leads us
Both back there
Though we're still here
It's a different kind of magic than there used to be
Je me souviens
Je me souviens
D'un jour comme celui-ci
Je me souviens
On days like these
When I look into the mirror
I can't see myself
And all my dreams are as far away
From me now as my faded jeans
On days like these
I wish I could find the road that leads us
Both back there
Though we're still here
It's a different kind of magic than there used to be
When you looked at me
Je me souviens
Je me souviens
D'un jour comme celui-ci
Je me souviens
On days like these I wish I could find the road that leads us
Both back there
Though we're still here
It's a different kind of magic than there used to be
When you looked at me
Je me souviens
Je me souviens
D'un jour comme celui-ci
Je me souviens
Je me souviens
Je me souviens
D'un jour comme celui-ci
Je me souviens
Judie Tzuke's song "On Days Like These" reflects on memories of a past relationship that was filled with happiness and magic. The singer reminisces about running away from crowds and cherishing simple moments alone with her partner. The longing for those moments again is expressed through the repeated lyrics "On days like these I wish I could find the road that leads us both back there, Though we're still here, It's a different kind of magic than there used to be, When you looked at me". The singer's vivid memories on this day like any other day take her back to how things used to be and the joy it brought her.
The lyrics also display a sense of loss and regret, as the singer notes that her dreams feel far away, just like her faded jeans. She wishes she could find a way to recapture the magic of the relationship and her youth, but acknowledges that things are different now. The nostalgic feeling the singer portrays throughout the song is relatable to many people who have similar memories of past relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
On days like these
There are certain days when something reminds me of a time when things were simpler.
I remember how we used to run away from crowds
I recall how we would both escape from the busy crowd because we just wanted to be alone with each other.
And you and me would be happy just to be together
We used to be content with just each other's company, and nothing else mattered to us.
When time allowed
We only had each other when we had the opportunity to be together - when we had free time.
On days like these I wish I could find the road that leads us Both back there
I yearn to go back to the good old days where we had each other and all the simple pleasures life had to offer.
Though we're still here
Even though we are still alive, things have changed since then.
It's a different kind of magic than there used to be
The feeling of happiness, joy, and contentment that we used to experience when we were together is not the same anymore.
When you looked at me
The way you used to look at me - with love, longing, passion, and a sense of completeness - is different now.
Je me souviens
This translates to 'I remember' and reinforces the sentimentality of the song.
When I look into the mirror
Sometimes, when I look at myself in the mirror, I don't recognize my current self and miss my former self.
I can't see myself
I no longer feel like I truly know who I am or what I stand for.
And all my dreams are as far away
The goals, aspirations, and things I hoped for seem too distant or unlikely to be accomplished now.
From me now as my faded jeans
My dreams are as impossible to reach as my old and worn-out clothes.
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulmayle4374
Class is permanent 😊
@rothylad
Beutiful song,