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
chinatown
Judie Tzuke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
Here come the boys from Chinatown
Don't want no trouble, they're just hanging around
Looking for some action, some physical attraction
They can see
One step you're laughing, two and you die
All the lights are flashing, the gambling men are crashing
To the floor
Soho
Soho
Don't go
Backstreet ladies shift and smile
And try their luck in the golden mile
To the sound of the guns and the fivepenny runs
They are free
Here come the boys from Chinatown
They don't want no trouble, they're just hanging around
Looking for some action, some physical attraction
They can see
Soho
Soho
Don't go
Soho
Soho
Don't go
Here come the boys from Chinatown
They don't want no trouble
Here come the boys from Chinatown
They don't want no trouble
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
The song "Chinatown" by Judie Tzuke paints a picture of the seedy underbelly of a city, specifically referring to the areas of London known as Soho and Chinatown. The opening lines, "Here come the boys from Chinatown, don't want no trouble, they're just hanging around" set the tone for the song as one of observance rather than participation. These boys are not interested in causing a ruckus, they're just there to take in the sights and sounds.
The following lines describe the atmosphere of the area. The "door is always open wide" and the "gambling men are crashing to the floor." There is a sense of danger present, as evidenced by the warning "one step you're laughing, two and you die." The backstreet ladies are also present, trying their luck in the "golden mile," a reference to a stretch of road in Soho known for its adult entertainment.
The repeated refrain of "Soho, don't go" seems to be a warning to those who may be tempted to venture into this part of town. The boys from Chinatown are there, merely to observe, but there is a definite sense of danger lurking beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Here come the boys from Chinatown
A group of men from the Chinese district are approaching
Don't want no trouble, they're just hanging around
They are not looking for a fight and are just passing through
Looking for some action, some physical attraction
In search of excitement, perhaps some romantic or sexual encounters
They can see
They are aware and observant of their surroundings
The door is always open wide
The entrance is always accessible
One step you're laughing, two and you die
One moment you can be enjoying yourself, and the next you can face serious consequences
All the lights are flashing, the gambling men are crashing
The flashing lights and gambling activity create a chaotic ambiance
To the floor
To the ground, as in people falling or losing money
Soho
The neighborhood where this scene is taking place
Don't go
A warning to avoid this area
Backstreet ladies shift and smile
Women who work in the sex industry are present, trying to entice customers
And try their luck in the golden mile
Refers to the street where prostitution is prevalent
To the sound of the guns and the fivepenny runs
The atmosphere is tense and dangerous with the sound of gunshots and people running away after making illegal bets
They are free
Implying that the women may choose this profession as a means of financial freedom
Here come the boys from Chinatown
Repeating the earlier line, to reinforce their presence
Soho
Repeating the earlier warning
They don't want no trouble
Restating the fact that the men are not looking for a fight
Ahhh, ahhh, ahhh, ahhh
Repeating the opening line to end the song
Contributed by Jack J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
juliijulii1
40 years later still going so strong. Love you Judie!
EngTech84
Seen her in concert a few times, still a great voice
Rhiannon Clark Music
Judi is Fantastic 💗💗💗💗💗🌹🤘
Legendary 🌹 What a Voice 🙏
Stewart Nicol
Loved Judie from day one. ❤️✌️💡🙏
Wendy Prothero
Judie was genius in 1980. Now she's the greatest singer song-writer on earth Just listen to One Tree Less from 2012!!! Especially " The Truth". Best song ever written.By anybody. Ever !!!
peter sommerville
The.... Most beautiful rock goddess.... Ever
peter sommerville
thanks for the thumb up.... i revel in her....im getting married to my one and only in june 2020, we are walking down the aisle to For You
Wayne Panter
Wonderful ❤️
Tzuke Allures
Fantastic ! Have you got any more Judie Tzuke ? Great seeing this.
MrMjp58
Beautiful and mesmerizing.