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
Understanding
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd better start believin' that deceit, it's never gonna pay
Understanding that the light of every day holds a different feeling
You'd better start believin' that there'll be no more grievin' about it next time round
This time you seem so sure
Talkin' like I never heard before
Oh this time I want to believe in what you say
I'm understanding all the reasons that you have, for keeping just this step away
But believe me when I tell you that now has to be another way
Understanding that the light of every day holds a different feeling
You'd better start believin' that there'll be no more grievin' about it next time round
This time, so sure
Talkin' like you never did before
Oh this time I want to believe in what you say
This time I want you to know that if I stay
Will you listen when I tell you that I'm tired of keeping one more step away?
Now the game that we've been playing has been changed, and it's by my rules that we play
Not the child that follows blindly in the dark, watching and believing
I'm much stronger and I won't be torn apart, fooled by shallow pleading
This time
You might say that we all need secrets, but I say that you're running away
This time
You can say that I won't wait forever, but I'm giving you one more day
This time
You might say that we all need secrets, but I say that you're running away
This time
You can say that I won't wait forever, but I'm giving you one more day
This time
You might say that we all need secrets, but I say that you're running away
This time
You can say that I won't wait forever, but I'm giving you one more day
The song "Understanding" by Judie Tzuke speaks about the importance of trust and transparency in a relationship. The lyrics hint at a relationship that has hit a rough patch because one person is withholding information or perhaps even lying. The first verse encourages this person to come clean and be honest about their reasons for keeping their distance. They are warned that deception is not a sustainable solution and they need to start believing in the power of openness and honesty.
The second verse seems hopeful, with the person expressing a desire to believe and trust in their partner again. However, they remind them that they need to do their part in creating a healthy relationship. They need to stop keeping secrets and being distant, and instead embrace the different emotions that come with each new day. They are promised that there will be no more heartache if they can work together to build a strong foundation.
The bridge takes a more assertive tone, with the person declaring that they will no longer tolerate being kept at arm's length. They have grown stronger and are no longer willing to be fooled by empty promises. They make it clear that they have their own set of rules and will not continue to blindly follow someone who is not willing to be open and honest. The chorus is repeated several times, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust in a healthy relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Understanding all the reasons that you have, for keeping just a step away
Recognizing why you are hesitant to get too close to me
You'd better start believin' that deceit, it's never gonna pay
Realizing that lying and hiding things will never lead to a good outcome
Understanding that the light of every day holds a different feeling
Acknowledging that each day brings a new emotion or experience
You'd better start believin' that there'll be no more grievin' about it next time round
Accepting that there should be no more sadness or regret in the future
This time you seem so sure
Noticing that you sound more confident this time around
Talkin' like I never heard before
Expressing yourself in a way that is new and surprising to me
Oh this time I want to believe in what you say
Wanting to trust and have faith in your words
This time I want you to know that if I stay
Letting you know that if I choose to remain in this situation, it is because I believe you
Will you listen when I tell you that I'm tired of keeping one more step away?
Asking if you will take my feelings into consideration and stop pushing me away
Now the game that we've been playing has been changed, and it's by my rules that we play
Indicating that there is a shift in power dynamics, and I am now in control
Not the child that follows blindly in the dark, watching and believing
Refusing to be naive and gullible like a child
I'm much stronger and I won't be torn apart, fooled by shallow pleading
Asserting my strength and independence, and rejecting any insincere attempts to win me over
You might say that we all need secrets, but I say that you're running away
Disagreeing with the idea that keeping secrets is necessary, and accusing you of avoiding intimacy
You can say that I won't wait forever, but I'm giving you one more day
Admitting that my patience is limited, but still granting you a small extension of time to change
Contributed by Caroline C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brendancarroll9376
I bought her Sportscar album in 1980. Never grew tired of this song. Never will.
@helenabarnett6441
Superb... A Tzuke & Paxman classic. Even playing through a phone you can hear the power and the emotion Judie puts into the song.
Thanks for posting... 👍
@xhk508s
I had the pleasure of working with Judie back in 1990. What a charming lady and such a voice.
@eddyvideostar
Dear Mike Farley: Do you remember or can find a link and/or data regarding the concert Judie did in Central Park, NYC, in 1980, as an opening act for Elton John?
@malcolmthomas180
Reminds me of a memorable time with a beautiful lady and this was the song associated with our short time together. Evocative, you bet.
@smithc8355
and 41 years later it still is an AMAZING Song WOW!
@CSchaefer1960
Judie will forever be one of the greatest artists of all time. Simply put
@contourbody
This is an absolute gem of a song, too easily bypassed and forgotten in an era of bilge called the Voice et Al : (
@grantfoster1
Incredible song - never stop listening to it - thank you!
@sanjeevpande9963
One of my all time favourites by Judie, a true timeless classic!