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
You Know Who You Are
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you don’t mean anything to me, my old friend
When did it stop, it was all left unsaid
I thought you knew me better
Don’t you think I cared?
And if I try to help you, will you do the same?
’Cause I can see you falling in front of my eyes,
If you don’t start listening, we’re both gonna lose
And we only have each other left to accuse
I don’t know how to save you, tell me what to do
’Cause I can see you falling in front of my eyes,
And I can’t keep stalling, it’s for you to decide
Don’t want to play games, you know who you are
It’s the last chance saloon, and you’re at the bar
’Cause I can see you falling in front of my eyes,
And I can’t keep stalling, it’s for you to decide
And I still keep hoping that you’ll get back up
You’re a brother to me and I’m begging you to stop
’Cause I can see you falling in front of my eyes,
And I can’t keep stalling, it’s for you to decide
Live or die
The song "You Know Who You Are" by Judie Tzuke is a heartfelt and poignant track about a friend who is struggling with addiction. Tzuke watches helplessly as her friend spirals out of control and falls deeper into the grip of their addiction. The lyrics reveal the sorrow and frustration Tzuke feels, as she tries to help her friend but realizes that ultimately, the decision to get better is up to them.
Tzuke's emotional delivery and the haunting melody of the track make for a powerful listening experience. The chorus, "And I can see you falling in front of my eyes, and I can't keep stalling, it's for you to decide," packs a devastating lyrical punch. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the heartbreaking inevitability of the situation.
The verses touch on the feeling of powerlessness and the sense of loss that comes with watching someone you care about suffer. Despite Tzuke's efforts to help, she realizes that she cannot save her friend from their addiction. The final lines of the song, "Live or die," are a stark reminder of the stakes at play.
Overall, "You Know Who You Are" is a deeply affecting song that captures the complexity of addiction and the impact it can have not only on the person struggling with it but also on their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
I watch you go downhill and I can’t pretend
I am witnessing your decline and I cannot hide from the truth.
That you don’t mean anything to me, my old friend
You are important to me, my long-time friend.
When did it stop, it was all left unsaid
Our communication broke down and we left things unsaid.
I thought you knew me better
I assumed you understood me more deeply than this.
Don’t you think I cared?
I cared deeply about you, don't you see that?
And if I try to help you, will you do the same?
If I extend a helping hand, will you do the same for me?
’Cause I can see you falling in front of my eyes,
I witness your fall and it pains me to see it.
And I can’t keep stalling, it’s for you to decide
I cannot delay any longer, you are the one who must take action.
If you don’t start listening, we’re both gonna lose
If you do not heed my words, we will both face a loss.
And we only have each other left to accuse
In the end, we will only be able to blame each other.
I don’t know how to save you, tell me what to do
I am at a loss as to how I can help you, advise me.
Don’t want to play games, you know who you are
I do not want to engage in games; you understand what I mean.
It’s the last chance saloon, and you’re at the bar
This is the final opportunity, and you are at a critical juncture.
And I still keep hoping that you’ll get back up
I continue to have faith that you will recover from this.
You’re a brother to me and I’m begging you to stop
You hold a deep connection with me, and I implore you to cease your downward spiral.
Live or die
It is a life or death scenario.
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidkeith9015
I bought this single in 1979 as a 21 year old in an Indepent record store in Rose Street Edinburgh I remember Judie was wearing army gear for promotion and I will hope to have this song played at my funeral which is quite immitent
@lyndaframe1986
❤ I was 26 and in the exact same street at Bruce's record shop and I'm nowhere near my exit from this beautiful planet ❤️ music 🎶
@davidkeith9015
@@lyndaframe1986 Thank you so much for reminding me that it was Bruce's record store in Rose Street it certainly takes me back to those wonderfully independent record stores that were like an Alladins cave to those supporters of great music Please take care and good to hear from you
@lyndaframe1986
@@davidkeith9015 I meant to say and same year 1979 (I turned 26). Amazing. Must have done something right. Music 🎶 love ❤️ life planet 🌍 🦅 🐿️
@garyneilson1833
I saw Judie sing this at Shrewsbury Abbey last weekend, you could have heard a pin drop whilst she sang it and then a standing ovation.
@alanholyhead1352
Beautiful song ❤️❤️
@stephenbailey6709
Absolutely brilliant, I,ve loved this song from the very first time I,ve heard it. Glorious ❤.
@stephenbailey6709
Loved this song from the first time I heard it. So much so I bought the album Welcome to the Cruise. Been a fan ever since. I,ll show you a sunset.
@stephenbailey6709
That haunting voice and music sets it up for that brilliant guitar solo at the end. I,ll show you a sunset. Haunting brilliant.
@brentleebowman3594
This artist is completely new to me...I just woke up and am having my first cup of coffee and WOW!!! This made my day!