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
Sound of My Sister's Tears
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It could have been rain on the window
But in the breeze I'm sure I heard the sound
My sister's tears
Well, maybe it's the kind of day to be dreaming
Shadows play games with your memories
But in the trees I'm sure I heard the sound
Is it only time that leaves me to wonder?
Is it the wind on the water?
Is it the breeze? I'm sure I heard the sound
My sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
"Sound of My Sister's Tears" by Judie Tzuke is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores the connection between siblings and the pain and heartbreak that can come with missing each other. The song opens with the poignant line "It could have been the leaves falling soft on the ground, it could have been rain on the window, but in the breeze I'm sure I heard the sound, my sister's tears." Here, Tzuke is saying that even though she doesn't know what is causing the sound that she's hearing, she can sense that it is her sister crying. The use of nature imagery is significant, as it highlights the idea that while nature can be beautiful and serene, it can also reflect the pain and sadness that we experience in life.
Tzuke continues to ponder the reasons behind the sound that she's hearing. She wonders if it's just her own thoughts and daydreams that are causing her to hear her sister's tears, or if it's something more tangible like the wind on the water. The repetition of the line "My sister's tears" emphasizes the centrality of this idea throughout the song. Finally, the song concludes with the refrain "Sound of my sister's tears," as if Tzuke has come to accept that this sound is real and that she'll always be able to sense her sister's pain, even when they're apart.
Overall, "Sound of My Sister's Tears" is a deeply emotional song that captures the essence of sibling relationships and the ways in which we can be connected to each other even in times of separation and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
It could have been the leaves falling soft on the ground
There are soft sounds in nature, but this sound is different.
It could have been rain on the window
Rain can make a soothing sound, but this sound is more emotional.
But in the breeze I'm sure I heard the sound
I know the sound came from the breeze.
My sister's tears
The sound is related to my sister crying.
Well, maybe it's the kind of day to be dreaming
Perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me because it's a dream-like day.
Shadows play games with your memories
The shadows make me question if what I heard was real or imagined.
Is it only time that leaves me to wonder?
I can't help but wonder if my sister still cries even after time has passed since whatever made her cry.
Is it the wind on the water?
Could it be the wind making the sound on something other than leaves or trees?
Is it the breeze? I'm sure I heard the sound
I heard the sound from the breeze, but I still question what it was.
My sister's tears
Again, the sound is related to my sister crying.
Sound of my sister's tears
Repeating the title emphasizes the importance and emotional weight of the sound.
Sound of my sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
Sound of my sister's tears
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.