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.
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Shoot the Moon
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Far gone you've gone as I) [You're mad me too believe]
Isn't there love between me and you
(Too much to ask of you) [I have a chance with you]
[(Shoot the moon)]
Throwing all my options and see which way you turn
Isn't there something that I can do
Isn't there love between me and you
(Too much to ask of you) [Wondering how ever I am out]
[(Shoot the moon)]
Throwing all my options and see which way you turn
The lyrics to Judie Tzuke's song "Shoot The Moon" convey a sense of desperation and confusion in a failed relationship. The singer is pleading for some kind of action or solution, some way to fix the relationship. They are asking the other person if there is anything that can be done to save the love that they share. They are searching for a way to understand why the other person has become distant and doubtful, and wonder if they have done something wrong. The titular phrase "shoot the moon" is a metaphor for taking a big risk or doing something dramatic to try and win back the other person's love.
Throughout the song, the singer is trying to weigh the potential outcomes of taking different actions. They say they are "throwing all my options" to see which way the other person will turn. It suggests that they feel helpless and powerless in the face of the other person's doubts and uncertainties. The final line, "throwing all my options and see which way you turn," encapsulates the sense of uncertainty and confusion that pervades the song.
Overall, the lyrics to "Shoot The Moon" use imagery and metaphor to create a sense of emotional longing and confusion. The singer is grappling with the sadness and pain of a failing relationship, and trying desperately to find a way to save it.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't there something that I can do
I'm desperately seeking a solution to our problems
(Far gone you've gone as I)
But you're so far gone mentally, it's crazy
Isn't there love between me and you
Can't we just remember the love we shared?
(Too much to ask of you)
Asking for too much from you
[(Shoot the moon)]
I'm taking a risky move and going all in to win you back
Throwing all my options and see which way you turn
I'm throwing different options at you and observing your reactions
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.