"Der Kommssar" by After the Fire - January 5th 80's Quest Song/Band of the day

In the early 80's when new wave hit, there was a "feeling" about some of the up and coming bands that they were doing something "new" with music. To me, this was one of those songs that made you feel there was something "new" brewing in the air. This song was such a hit, I always wondered why we never ever heard anything from After the Fire ever again....so I looked it up: The group signed to CBS, and released their second album, Laser Love, in 1979, which marked the band's move towards new wave. After The Fire's single, "One Rule for You", entered the UK Top 40. The group were scheduled to perform it on BBC TV's Top of the Pops that week, a move which would have been almost certain to see it rise much higher, but their appearance was cancelled because Gary Numan was on the show and the BBC thought one keyboard track was enough.

They came back into the U.K. spotlight when their English-language cover of Austrian musician Falco's song, "Der Kommissar," rocketed into the U.S. top ten in 1983, though it only just made the top fifty in the United Kingdom. This was followed by the release of their first and only U.S. album, ATF, a compilation of their UK albums.

This success had come too late and growing musical differences eventually caused the band to split.

Banks went on to build his own studio before becoming managing director of Maldon Computer Company, a software and networking enterprise. Russell worked in a music shop following the split and later was involved in youth work, while Piercy became a record producer. King, who joined the German Rockband BAP in 1986, died of testicular cancer in 1987. Twidell (as Iva Twydell) released two solo albums after leaving the band (Secret Service and Duel, released in 1981 and 1982 respectively), and then became a police officer. Battle became a songwriter/producer/A&R man, working with (amongst others) Godley and Creme and Anthony Phillips, has had songs recorded by Cliff Richard and holds partial responsibility for "The Birdie Song" and The Spice Girls.

Lyrics:

Zwei drei vier one two three
Its easy to see
But its not that I don't care so
Cause I hear it all the time
But they never let you know
On the TV and the radio
She was young her heart was pure
But every night is bright she got
She said sugar is sweet
She come rappin' to the beat
Then I knew that she was hot

She was singin
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
You're in his eye
And you'll know why
The more you live
The faster you will die

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?

She said babe you know
I miss Jill and Joe
And all my funky friends
But my street understanding
Was just enough to know what she really meant
And I got to thinking while she was talking
That I know she told the story
Of those special places that she goes
When she rides with the others in the subway

Singin'
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
And if he talks to you
And you don't know why
You say your life
Is gonna make you die...

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?

Well we meet Jill and Joe
And brother Herr
And the whole cool gang (and oh)
They're rappin' here they're rappin' there
But she's climbin' on the wall
Its a clear case, Herr Kommissar
'Cause all the children know
They're all slidin' down into the valley
They're all slipping on the same snow

Hear the children
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
He's got the power
And you're so weak
And you're frustration will not let you speak

Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
And if he talks to you
Then you'll know why
The more you live
The faster you will die

Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh
Don't turn around, oh oh
Der Kommissar's in town, oh oh