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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Sold A Rose
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dropped her life in the gutter like it never mattered
And now you think you are stepping into the space you've been looking for
It's a hollow shell to what you had before
You may try to throw me off
But I'll say what everyone else knows
Whichever way you look at it
And you sold a rose
I'm surprised at you, you were taken in
You have filled in the colours on a picture that is black and white
Have you any idea what it is you're throwing away
Who are you to believe that what you decide is right for all
You may try to throw me off
But I'll say what everyone else knows
Whichever way you look at it
You bought a weed
And you sold a rose
Why is it, I see it, she's making fools of you
You're talking, I hear you, where's your heart?
You may try to throw me off
But I'll say what everyone else knows
Whichever way you look at it
You bought a weed
And you sold a rose
In "Sold A Rose," Judie Tzuke addresses a friend who has betrayed her and done something morally wrong. She begins by pointing out that her friend has walked away from the best friend they ever had and dropped her life in the gutter like it didn't matter. Tzuke notes that her friend is now trying to fill in the space they've been looking for, but it's just a hollow shell compared to what they had before. She then tells her friend that they may try to throw her off, but everyone else knows the truth: they bought a weed and sold a rose.
Tzuke is surprised at her friend's actions and wonders if they have any idea what they're throwing away. She questions their sense of right and wrong and their belief that what they decide is right for all. Tzuke also suggests that her friend is being taken advantage of by someone who is making a fool of them. Finally, she tells her friend that their actions have consequences and that they may try to deny it, but everyone knows the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
I watched you walk away from the best friend you ever had
I saw you abandon your closest friend
Dropped her life in the gutter like it never mattered
You disregarded her life as if it had no value
And now you think you are stepping into the space you've been looking for
You believe you're filling a void in your life
It's a hollow shell to what you had before
But it's empty compared to what you had before
You may try to throw me off
Don't try to deceive me
But I'll say what everyone else knows
I'll speak the truth that others are afraid to say
Whichever way you look at it
No matter what angle you take
You bought a weed
You made a bad purchase
And you sold a rose
And you gave up something valuable in return
I'm surprised at you, you were taken in
I'm disappointed you were deceived
You have filled in the colours on a picture that is black and white
You've added details to a situation that's simple and clear
Have you any idea what it is you're throwing away
Do you realize what you're giving up?
Who are you to believe that what you decide is right for all
You can't assume you know what's best for everyone
Why is it, I see it, she's making fools of you
Why can I see that she's manipulating you, but you can't?
You're talking, I hear you, where's your heart?
You're saying words, but where's your true emotion?
Contributed by Logan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.