Judy Boucher

Judy Boucher (born in St. Vincent in the Caribbean) is a reggae and R&B singer. Her first solo song "Dreaming Of A Little Island" was a hit in the reggae charts in 1985, and she is best known for her international hit single "Can't Be With You Tonight", which reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1987.^[1]

Early life

Boucher describes herself as "an ordinary country girl" from Saint Vincent, in the Caribbean. Her interest in music started at an early age, listening to the radio and hearing The Beatles, Sam Cooke, Percy Sledge plus calypso and reggae from the other islands. At age 15, she moved to High Wycombe in the United Kingdom. After school she formed a band with her brother called Judy Jack & the Beanstalk.

Music career

After being in her brother's band Judy Jack and the Beanstalk, she later became a solo artist. Her music career took a giant step circa 1970. In 1985 Felix Da Silva, a local songwriter wanted a singer to cover his songs and Boucher was able to record several of them, including "Dreaming Of A Little Island", which enjoyed the number 1 slot in the reggae charts and was subsequently used as the Jamaica Tourist Board's theme tune.^{[citation needed]} An album was released, entitled Can't Be With You Tonight which would change the "ordinary country girl" into an international entertainer by the end of 1987. The title track was released as a single and became a worldwide hit in 1987, also peaking at number 2 in the UK.

Lizzie Webb, TV's exercise queen at the time heard the song while driving home and decided to use it as her exercise tune. The UK public began enquiring about it. Boucher's producer released it to satisfy the demand which gave Boucher her first national entry into the charts. The song hit number 1 during mid-week, but then remained at number 2 for eight weeks in the UK and was also a hit in Holland, Switzerland, France, Greece, Spain, and the Philippines.

Her Belgian tour remains one of the highlights of her career; it was quite momentous. At an appearance at one stadium, there were 40,000 people with lighted candles chanting "Judy Boucher" as she sang. A surprise call also came from South Africa informing her of being a massive hit there. She took up the invitation to visit but due to the boycott at the time, was unable to perform. However, she was asked to tour Swaziland, Namibia and several other African countries, appearing on TV, radio and in clubs. The response was overwhelming, with people turning up with gifts of all descriptions - animals, gold, clothes etc.^{[citation needed]}

The follow-up single, "You Caught My Eye" gave Boucher another national hit, and a tour of the Middle East, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi of the UAE. In 1988–89, Boucher decided to take a break, returning in late 1989 with a change of record company and producer.

Recognition

She has had a no. 1 hit in the reggae charts with the song "Dreaming Of A Little Island" in 1985. Her debut album, Can't Be With You Tonight followed in 1986, and the title single from it reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1987. A second song from the album, "You Caught My Eye", was also a Top 20 hit.

"Can't Be With You Tonight" was voted second in the 25 most influential Vincentian songs, as part of their Silver Jubilee Independence Anniversary.

She holds the record for being the first female from the Caribbean to have the longest stay in the national charts with fourteen weeks in 1987.

In recognition of her achievements, Boucher was invited by the government of St. Vincent as their special guest of honour and remains an ambassador for her country.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Albums

• 1986: Can't Be With You Tonight
• 1993: Tears on my Pillow
• 1994: Devoted to You
• 1996: Take Me As I Am
• 1998: Take Your Memory With You
• 2000: Can't Be With You Tonight (CD version)
• 2001: New Way to Say Love
• 2003: Just the Two of Us
• 2003: Not This Time
• 2007: Sunshine and Dreams

Singles

• 1985: "Dreaming Of A Little Island"
• 1986/87: "Can't Be With You Tonight"
• 1986: "My Heart Is Yearning"
• 1986: "Lovely Paradise"
• 1987: "You Caught My Eye"
• 1992: "Sweet Dreams"/"Beneath Still Waters"
• 1992: "Tears On My Pillow"/"Am I That Easy To Forget"

References