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After the Fire — Der Kommissar
Album: Der Kommissar
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 958









Released: 1981
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Zwei drei vier, one two three
It's easy to see
But it's 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 (Cha!)
She was young, her heart was pure
But every night is bright she got
She said sugar is sweet
She come a-rappin' to the beat
Then I knew that she was hot

She was singin'
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-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
A-when she rides with the others in the subway

Singin'
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-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?

(Cha, cha, cha, cha
Cha, cha
Cha, cha, cha, cha
Cha, cha)

Well, we meet Jill and Joe
And brother Herr
With the whole cool gang and oh
They're rappin' here, they're rappin' there
But she's climbin' on the wall
It's 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, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
He's got the power
And you're so weak
And your frustration will not let you speak
La la la la la la

Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-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, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
(Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?)
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh (yeah-yeah)
Der Kommissar's in town, wa-uh-oh
Don't turn around, wa-uh-oh
Comments (84)add comment
Many people saying the original is better and I was very inclined to believe this since it's often the case.
Punched Utubes which offered the Official video.
The difference must be in the lyrics....
Otherwise everything was cheesier, specially the voice.
To each is own.,...
Posted 4 weeks ago by alain.brault    [ Reply ]
A cracking little number.
Love it.
Posted 3 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
Der Kommisar in English? It just doesn't sound right.
Sort of like a John Wayne movie in German



You can have David Hasselhoff in German, we'll take Der Kommissar in English thanks. 
Posted 4 months ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
 stratzippy wrote:
this song transports me to the 1980s  and MTV waay back when they actually played music videos 


me too, and definitely to a time when i bought 45's at the local record shop.  can't remember the B-side of this one, though.  maybe this was the b-side...
Posted 4 months ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
This was the radio-friendly hit version in the US. The original 1981 song by Falco was big in Europe (no. 1 in his native Austria as well as Italy, Spain and West Germany) but failed to crack the Billboard chart, most likely because American audiences weren't ready for a song sung - and rapped - entirely in German. The ATF cover the following year, with minimal changes to the arrangement but sung in English, was a US top-ten hit.  That said, I agree with almost everyone on here that RP should be playing the original Falco track.
Posted 5 months ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
this song transports me to the 1980s  and MTV waay back when they actually played music videos 
Posted 5 months ago by stratzippy    [ Reply ]
Play the original version and I give it a 8. This is just crap...
Posted 6 months ago by francobam    [ Reply ]
I do prefer the Falco version, along with that video.  This track just sounds like it's the radio friendly version, which I guess it is, but... meh.
Posted 7 months ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Unless you lived through the 80's you just don't know! 
Posted 7 months ago by romangaslan    [ Reply ]
 junebaby65 wrote:

Caught these guys in Summer of 1982, in Cleveland, when they opened for Van Halen on the Diver Down tour.  Not the best fit, but they went out and did their best against a crowd not entirely in their favor.  



I saw the same tour, but in Louisiana. That crowd was openly hostile towards ATF, which made me feel really bad for them. Like your show, they were really trying hard to entertain. 
I think I'll bump up my rating in solidarity.
Posted 8 months ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
Best version from this song is the original one from Falko
Posted 8 months ago by MoorKnut    [ Reply ]
Love more hte origninal Germany Version (bettter and korrekt Austria) 
Posted 8 months ago by nowhere-man    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:


Am I missing something? This release date is 81, Falco's in 82.
?


really? this was falco? i don't remember that. i thought he just did rock me amadeus? anyway, catchy tune.
Posted 8 months ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 Alward wrote:

This song is originally in German. To bad that it is converted to english. Otherwise it is for me a 8



Am I missing something? This release date is 81, Falco's in 82.
?
Posted 2 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Like the speeches of the former president, I prefer the original German version.
Posted 2 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:

It's 1983 again.



If only...
Posted 2 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
It's 1983 again.
Posted 2 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
So much better in its original German version, one of the first raps in history ....
Posted 3 years ago by guilhem34    [ Reply ]
The original by Falco is so much better
Posted 3 years ago by heiner3540    [ Reply ]
This tune very surprisingly DOES segue quite nicely with Quicksilver's Pride of Man.  WTG, Bill.
Posted 3 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
JIll and Joe? LOL. So topical.
Posted 3 years ago by okskyhi    [ Reply ]
German Version is better!
Posted 3 years ago by markus333    [ Reply ]
Wow this version is ...awful.

But i guess it was the time and it was ok for some people.
Remember all the english songs german artists transferred into german language
(I guess only the german speaking audiance knows what i mean)
Posted 3 years ago by Donar    [ Reply ]
Most think that ATF covered this or ripped it off - But I heard an NPR story - I think it was NPR - that the song was being shopped around for someone to cover it.  And after a lot of back and forth ATF did it.  And I think did it really well. 
Posted 3 years ago by tgrier    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this in ages.  Excellent.  Thanks Bill and Rebecca.
auf Deutsch bitte.
Posted 3 years ago by RC_in_Bezerkeley    [ Reply ]
Love this track, was released on New Zealand Radio in German, I like the German version a little bit more
Posted 3 years ago by Ableragtacker    [ Reply ]
Falco has become an icon of Viennese music. The original recording still resonates in Austrian music after all these years.

"After The Fire" don't even come close. What a poor rip off.
Posted 4 years ago by mzuther    [ Reply ]
Der Kommisar in English? It just doesn't sound right.
Sort of like a John Wayne movie in German

Posted 4 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Ich höre lieber die original Version.
I'd rather hear the original version.
Posted 4 years ago by GustaafJHeinh    [ Reply ]
"After The Fire" = One Hit Wonder
Posted 4 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by uksminas    [ Reply ]
Alles klar, Herr Komissar! :)
Posted 4 years ago by markus333    [ Reply ]
genius, but orginal in german ;)
Posted 4 years ago by dominikdolezal    [ Reply ]
It is the song of Falco, Austrian singer, from 1981.
Posted 5 years ago by agyurma    [ Reply ]
I am suprised to hear it only in english. It is the song of Falco, Austrian singer, from 1981.
Posted 5 years ago by agyurma    [ Reply ]
This song is originally in German. To bad that it is converted to english. Otherwise it is for me a 8
Posted 5 years ago by Alward    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
I wonder who introduced Austrian accent first in the US of A: him or Arnold.
Posted 5 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
Cha Cha! Great fun, solid 7 for me.
Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 jp33442 wrote:
To bad this song does not have a zero rating
 

Too bad I had to up my 5 to a 6
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
To bad this song does not have a zero rating
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
My lyrics for this tune added the word "up" before each -cha.
Always thought the lyric was chuck, not cha.

Describes my appreciation of the song as well.
Posted 5 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
not my 80s
Posted 5 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Well, fine, but let's hear the Falco version. It's better.
 
Unbedingt! Alles klar.
Posted 5 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
All skate, everyone. All skate.
Posted 5 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
Caught these guys in Summer of 1982, in Cleveland, when they opened for Van Halen on the Diver Down tour.  Not the best fit, but they went out and did their best against a crowd not entirely in their favor.  
Posted 5 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
This was the theme song for my softball team back in the early 80's...too much fun, and too many drunken memories
Posted 5 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
Flash back time...Whoa!
Posted 5 years ago by Rockit9    [ Reply ]
 rgio wrote:
Originally Posted by jciola:
?Not Falco?

I was surprised as well...so my friends at google threw back this about After the Fire:

"Forming in 1974, their biggest hit was in 1983 with their English version of the song Der Kommissar which Falco also recorded in his native Austrian tongue. Der Kommissar became an International hit for Falco, while the version by After the Fire was far more popular in the United States, hitting the Top Twenty Pop Charts in April, 1983."

Who knew? (or cares)

 
Big thumbs up to rgio for clearing things up. I was about to get all outraged because people "weren't able to tell this from Falco's original" - but if it wasn't *playing* in the US to begin with, how could you !
 
One never knows what a cover or a remix will do. I like Björk's initiative to do a whole album of nothing but remixes of her songs (even if I'm not that much into any of the ones she selected... AND maybe she didn't invent the concept, but she did it anyway).
 
This cover/remix/remix of the cover (which is it?) of "Der Kommissar" makes me glad I own Falco's iconic "Einzelhaft" album and can clear my ears and memories listening to, let's say: the *European-Austrian" version of the song. {#Music}
Also known as the song itself...
But knowing there was a time where english stars (Beatles, anyone?) sung their hits in German because that market was so huge, why the hell not the other way around... if only FALCO was singing.
Posted 5 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
just plain fun
Posted 5 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 apsteinmetz wrote:
 
 
I think you're quite right. {#Wink}
Posted 5 years ago by Prius    [ Reply ]
Yup. Cheeseball. This is part of the 80's I'd prefer not to re-visit.
Posted 5 years ago by ebanzai    [ Reply ]
It's very funny listening to someone's coverversion of a very successful song in german speaking areas and neighbours by (Sir) Falco. The sad aspect in this is the early death of this exceptional artist!
Posted 5 years ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
 Platypus wrote:
one of the few Big 80s Cheeseball songs that I find tolerable. actually, i rather enjoy this one, even.
 
Keyword here,,,, cheeseball. I'm still chuckling 
Posted 5 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
 PetriWessman wrote:
Oh please. Play the original Falco version, or other stuff from him (Rock Me Amadeus is great :)

 Or Jeanny, Flugzeug brennt and, and, and....


Posted 6 years ago by Der_Hamburger    [ Reply ]
one of the few Big 80s Cheeseball songs that I find tolerable. actually, i rather enjoy this one, even.
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
m9 wrote:
Hmmm ... suddenly I'm having vivid flashbacks to 8th grade! How about some Oxo?
"Whirly Girl"!!!!
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Oh please. Play the original Falco version, or other stuff from him (Rock Me Amadeus is great :)
Posted 20 years ago by PetriWessman    [ Reply ]
FIRST OF ALL, Falco's original version rules, this doesn't. plus, it seems this has been remixed...MAKING IT EVEN WORSE!! :verymad:
Posted 20 years ago by gata420    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Digga: Yeah, you can give yourself a "Flock of Seagulls" Doo.
...to go w/your Thomas Dolby glasses...
Posted 20 years ago by camarkim    [ Reply ]
this makes me want to gel my hair. :D
Posted 20 years ago by B-dub    [ Reply ]
I like those bits in the middle where the guitar sounds so springy. :) But I do hear what you're talking about, Queue. Alas for my youth, when I didn't listen so critically and didn't know that 3/4 of the songs out there were about sex...
Posted 20 years ago by Joyfulchristine    [ Reply ]
Scary? ATF opened for Van Halen when i saw them back in '83(?)
Posted 20 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
Hmmm ... suddenly I\'m having vivid flashbacks to 8th grade! How about some Oxo?
Posted 20 years ago by m9    [ Reply ]
Well, fine, but let's hear the Falco version. It's better.
Posted 20 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by rgio: I was surprised as well...so my friends at google threw back this about After the Fire: "Forming in 1974, their biggest hit was in 1983 with their English version of the song Der Kommissar which Falco also recorded in his native Austrian tongue. Der Kommissar became an International hit for Falco, while the version by After the Fire was far more popular in the United States, hitting the Top Twenty Pop Charts in April, 1983." Who knew? (or cares)
I do ;) the more you live the faster you will die (flashbacks of Morcheeba "slow Down" comes to mind) :D
Posted 20 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by jciola: ?Not Falco?
I was surprised as well...so my friends at google threw back this about After the Fire: "Forming in 1974, their biggest hit was in 1983 with their English version of the song Der Kommissar which Falco also recorded in his native Austrian tongue. Der Kommissar became an International hit for Falco, while the version by After the Fire was far more popular in the United States, hitting the Top Twenty Pop Charts in April, 1983." Who knew? (or cares)
Posted 20 years ago by rgio    [ Reply ]
Listening with \"engineer ears\" reveals a stark contrast between the vocals in the verses and the chorus. The verses sound good, the chorus sounds quite dry and a little too \"in your face\". Weird... I enjoyed the flashback, but hope it doesn\'t come around again too soon. Q
Posted 20 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Ahh flashback to my drunken undergrad days. :D
Posted 20 years ago by Skyhawk    [ Reply ]
Dreadful, should not be allowed to return from the eighties.
Posted 21 years ago by Eagan    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by newwavegurly: What's with the skipping? Ouch...
I wonder if that is part of "the mix". There was some other stuff in there that I don't recall actually being in there when last I heard this song (20 years ago?).
Posted 21 years ago by FeatFanMike    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by ladyj: I think of the clash or something when I hear this :)
Sorry folks, I uploaded this but it worked fine for me and it must of worked fine when it was reviewed oh good I don't feel so bad now :)
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by newwavegurly: What's with the skipping? Ouch...
I'm trying to find out what's going on with that. It's affecting a bunch of the most recent library additions. Hopefully I'll have it fixed before it plays again. -bg
Posted 21 years ago by William    [ Reply ]
Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! :)
Posted 21 years ago by rcschafer    [ Reply ]
I think of MTV.
Posted 21 years ago by Spliff    [ Reply ]
This is a nice lunch-time blast from the past - but what\'s up with the skipping, you may need a new upload...
Posted 21 years ago by tomnam    [ Reply ]
What\'s with the skipping? Ouch...
Posted 21 years ago by newwavegurly    [ Reply ]
I think of the clash or something when I hear this :)
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]