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
Without Love
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My hands are holding steady but
I catch my breath but loose my balance
And I don't know which way is up
There's no arrows pointing this way
There's no warning saying stop
Who can stop a guided missile?
Through the door, round the back
It's a subtle attack
Creeping close to the edge
I remember you said
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Don't have love
Give any reason but it's not enough
It's not enough
Without love
What am I doing here in your life?
Should I go you'll have to say
All roads seem to lead to romance
But your eyes they look away
Through the door, round the back
It's a subtle attack
Creeping close to the edge
I remember you said
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Don't have love
Give any reason but it's not enough
It's not enough
Without love
Without love
Without love
Without love
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Don't have love
Give any reason but it's not enough
It's not enough
Without love
The lyrics in Judie Tzuke's "Without Love" paint a picture of confusion and uncertainty in love. The singer finds herself descending steps and losing her balance, unsure of which direction to take. There are no signs or warnings to guide her. She compares herself to a guided missile, unsure of where she is headed. As she enters a romantic situation, she is still unsure of what she is doing there and wonders if she should leave.
The chorus repeats the message that life is meaningless without love, but it is not enough to simply have any reason to be in a relationship. The song suggests that love must be the driving force behind a romance in order for it to be fulfilling.
The song's meaning can be interpreted as a message to trust our gut instincts and to not settle for any relationship without true love. The singer seems to be attempting to push past her doubts and insecurities as she enters a new romantic situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Down the steps my feet are travelling
I am moving down the stairs
My hands are holding steady but
I am keeping my hands steady
I catch my breath but loose my balance
I become breathless and lose my balance
And I don't know which way is up
I am disoriented and don't know which way is up
There's no arrows pointing this way
There are no signs showing the way
There's no warning saying stop
There are no warnings to stop
Who can stop a guided missile?
No one can stop a guided missile
Where's it aiming I forgot
I forgot where the missile is targeting
Through the door, round the back
I am moving through the door and around the back
It's a subtle attack
It is a subtle and unexpected attack
Creeping close to the edge
Approaching dangerously close to the edge
I remember you said
I recall that you said
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Life is meaningless without love
Don't have love
Without love
Give any reason but it's not enough
Any reason given is not sufficient
It's not enough
It's insufficient
Without love
Without love
What am I doing here in your life?
What is my purpose in your life?
Should I go you'll have to say
You have to give permission if I should leave
All roads seem to lead to romance
All paths lead to romance
But your eyes they look away
But you are avoiding eye contact
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Life is meaningless without love
Don't have love
Without love
Give any reason but it's not enough
Any reason given is not sufficient
It's not enough
It's insufficient
Without love
Without love
Without love
Without love
Without love
Without love
Life has no meaning if you don't have love
Life is meaningless without love
Don't have love
Without love
Give any reason but it's not enough
Any reason given is not sufficient
It's not enough
It's insufficient
Without love
Without love
Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.