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
This Time
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Free me with an answer
Talk the way you do
I can be the dancer
To the rhythm of your words
Take me to a place
I can see it all in a bigger picture
Am I reading too much or too little?
Maybe this time I'll let you get to know me
And it's all fine wherever we may go
'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end
Of the story that's more than just pretend
Don't be that quick to say we can take it slowly
I love the way you laugh
You just have to show me
'Cause I always get it wrong
I seem to go too fast
I know I run ahead
I keep falling over
Stop me in my tracks
Ask me to come back
'Cause I'm going nowhere
And this time I'll let you get to know me
And it's all fine wherever it may go
'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end
Of the story that's more than just pretending
We're already there
An invisible distance to where I wanted to be
And this time I'll let you get to know me
And it's all fine wherever it may go
'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end
Of the story that's more than just pretend
This time it's all fine
'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end
Of the story that's more than just pretend
In "This Time," Judie Tzuke sings about opening up to the truth and seeking understanding from a lover. The first verse describes the desire for honesty and clarity: "Hit me with the truth / Free me with an answer." Tzuke wants to be able to trust her partner and find meaning in their conversations: "Talk the way you do / I can be the dancer / To the rhythm of your words." She is seeking connection and understanding through communication, hoping that the lyrics her partner shares will paint a bigger picture and reveal more about themselves: "Take me to a place / I can see it all in a bigger picture / Painted on your face / Am I reading too much or too little?"
However, Tzuke acknowledges that she has a tendency to rush into things and lose sight of herself: "Maybe this time I'll let you get to know me / And it's all fine wherever we may go / 'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end / Of the story that's more than just pretend." She wants to slow down and build a genuine relationship where they can learn about each other: "Don't be that quick to say we can take it slowly / I love the way you laugh / You just have to show me / 'Cause I always get it wrong."
The chorus repeats the idea that she is ready for a real connection where they can be themselves: "This time I'll let you get to know me / And it's all fine wherever it may go / 'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end / Of the story that's more than just pretending." She acknowledges that their distance may be invisible but still present: "We're already there / An invisible distance to where I wanted to be." Ultimately, Tzuke is ready to open up and let her partner in, hoping for a real connection rooted in honesty and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit me with the truth
Be honest with me
Free me with an answer
Give me a clear response
Talk the way you do
Speak authentically
I can be the dancer
I'll follow your lead
To the rhythm of your words
I'll respond to what you say
Take me to a place
Show me a different perspective
I can see it all in a bigger picture
I can understand the situation better
Painted on your face
Your emotions are visible
Am I reading too much or too little?
I'm unsure if my interpretation is accurate
Maybe this time I'll let you get to know me
I'll be more open with you
And it's all fine wherever we may go
I'm comfortable with the direction of our relationship
'Cause I'm tired of trying to guess the end
I don't want to anticipate how this will play out
Of the story that's more than just pretend
Of a situation that's more than just pretend
Don't be that quick to say we can take it slowly
Don't rush into this slowly
I love the way you laugh
I enjoy your humor
You just have to show me
Demonstrate who you truly are
'Cause I always get it wrong
I often misunderstand situations
I seem to go too fast
I rush things
I know I run ahead
I anticipate outcomes too quickly
I keep falling over
I keep making mistakes
Stop me in my tracks
Prevent me from making a mistake
Ask me to come back
Ask me to reassess
'Cause I'm going nowhere
I'm not making progress
We're already there
We've already established a connection
An invisible distance to where I wanted to be
A small gap between where I am and where I want to be
This time it's all fine
I'm confident in this situation
Of the story that's more than just pretend
Of a genuine situation
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wayne Panter
Along with all of Jude's albums, this is wonderful.Still sounds as fresh as when I first played it ❤
John Routh
Always loved this album ... 'I'll be the one' is the stand out for me.
Digger Barnes
Absolutely love this album, think it Judie`s best personally..Vocals so powerful especially I Be The One and Harbour Lights.
MrMjp58
Harbour Lights is my favourite mid-period JT track, by a mile.
Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Travelodge
be the one is such a good song
eban tink
Back in early 80s my husband used to make my knees go weak when I saw his face and my breath found another place to go .
Took years to find this album again - a cassette turned up in Runcorn in 1993 - but it broke in the car cassette player. So to find this has made me remember so much. She wrote this for her lead guitar player who did return her love. By the way when I see his mouth - my brain still goes foggy. Thank you for sharing this.
Richard Harris
The key change in "How sweet it is" is sublime
XHorrorFiles
@Michael Josefsen Me too
malthuswasright
Always loved that voice. And regardless of what you might think of the production values, the voice shines through.
kes north
My Aunt was Engaged to Judie’s Dad.. I grew up listening to her... “road noise’ live is the ONE!! 👌🏻