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
Sportscar
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think you're a winner in the private stock
Your jewellery framed on white table cloth
Your boots match your hair, your eyes match your socks
I bet you tell stories of wine loosened ladies
And friends of a friend that you used to know
Of course there've been losers but you're nothing shady
And under your polish the engines don't go
You drive in the main road
Not knowing you've gone too far
You carry no backload
And I'll bet you've got a sportscar
Defending your lifestyle does nothing to sway me
Your arrogance bores me, I know it's not true
So don't waste your time on me, I'm just not there
And then I won't waste my time on you
You drive in the main road
Not knowing you've gone too far
You carry no backload
And I'll bet you've got a sportscar
Bet you tell stories of wine loosened ladies
And friends of a friend that you used to know
Of course there've been losers but you're nothing shady
And under your polish the engines don't go
You drive in the main road
Not knowing you've gone too far
You carry no backload
And I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
I hear the words
I see the face
You've got the car
But lost the race
"I don't care who you are, you're not putting your car in my garage"
The lyrics of Judie Tzuke's song "Sportscar" describe the character of a person who is arrogant, materialistic, and superficial. The character is depicted as being obsessed with appearance and status, wearing expensive clothing and jewelry while driving a luxurious sports car. The song's narrator is unimpressed by this character, seeing through their facade and recognizing that they are not as successful as they might like to appear. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'll bet you've got a sportscar," repeating the idea that the character is defined by their possessions rather than their achievements.
The verses of the song describe the character's behavior and attitudes in more detail. They are depicted as someone who likes to name-drop and tell stories of their supposed successes and connections, but who is ultimately shallow and uninteresting. In the final stanza, the singer repeats the phrase "I'll bet you've got a sportscar" several times, emphasizing the repeated ideas of appearance and superficiality.
The song can be seen as a critique of consumer culture and the pressure to conform to certain standards of success and status. It encourages listeners to focus on more meaningful aspects of life and to appreciate people for who they are rather than what they own.
Line by Line Meaning
There you are shining in leather and varnish
You are flaunting your wealth and status with your polished appearance
You think you're a winner in the private stock
You believe that your affluent background automatically makes you a success
Your jewellery framed on white table cloth
You display your expensive possessions for all to see
Your boots match your hair, your eyes match your socks
You pay too much attention to your appearance and try too hard to impress
I bet you tell stories of wine loosened ladies
You boast about your romantic conquests fueled by alcohol
And friends of a friend that you used to know
You name-drop people you barely know to seem more important
Of course there've been losers but you're nothing shady
You admit to past failures, but still think highly of yourself
And under your polish the engines don't go
Despite your exterior appearance, you lack depth and substance
You drive in the main road
You always take the most direct and obvious path
Not knowing you've gone too far
You are unaware of the consequences of your actions
You carry no backload
You have not faced any significant challenges or struggles
And I'll bet you've got a sportscar
Your flashy appearance suggests that you own a sports car
Defending your lifestyle does nothing to sway me
Your attempts to justify your lifestyle do not impress me
Your arrogance bores me, I know it's not true
Your false confidence and superiority complex are uninteresting to me
So don't waste your time on me, I'm just not there
I do not share your values or interests and am not worth your effort
I'll bet you've got a sportscar
Your exterior suggests that you own a sports car, but that does not impress me
I hear the words
I am aware of what you are saying
I see the face
I can see through your façade
You've got the car
You may have a flashy car, but that is not enough
But lost the race
Your superficial lifestyle has not brought you true success or satisfaction
Contributed by Christopher R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
winston cat
Hugely underrated and underappreciated artist. Glad I knew her stuff back then. When you heard Sportscar from the studio, you'd automatically think "Live? That? No way!" But with her super-talented band, she did, regularly, and flawlessly.
jonnywindowsextra
We saw her on that tour in Brighton.....she smiled through the whole thing as if she could not believe that 6000 people had turned up! Never acheived the fame she was due.................Axeman Paxman,and John(rhino) Edwards-now with Status Quo...raw sound but fabulous.
richl
Wow this is breath-taking ! I agree .. imagine being able to do this live ! Wonder-Tzuke
Ali Hood
Awesome, she is so under appreciated
Marchant2
What a voice!!!
Brian Harvey
I saw Judie on this tour, at the gig in Manchester. In fact I saw her twice (once at Free trade Hall, and once at the Apollo). I loved the way she looked so nervous and looked at the band for reassurance. She hardly ever let go of the mic stand, and yet her voice was phenomenal. Great times.
bournemouth1964
Excellent guitar work from Mike Paxman, I remember Judie Tzuke well from her first hit, Stay with me till Dawn. I first brought Sports Car in 1984 in a second hand shop in Brighton. Since then I've been a die hard fan ever since. I can see why she was so popular in Kerrang magazine at the time. Many thanks for posting this.
cornishsaxon
Fantastic. Doubt I'll ever grow out of this. Loved her music back in the 70s and nothing has happened to change that. This rates along side "Stay with me till dawn" as a personal favourite. Great music and thanks Judy.
catherine thompson
Ahhhh the incomparable judie tzuke......great artist!!! still as lovely now as she was then.saw her at Birmingham odeon in the early 80s fantastic show!! All her albums are at my brothers for safe keeping but just bought a turntable again so back they come!!! Rock on Judie!!!!
Jib Teenuc
I so hope Mike Paxman became a multi-multi-multi millionaire from his genius guitar playing. His skills are up there with the greats.