After the Fire--Der Kommissar (1983)

     The British group, After the Fire began in the early 70's as a progressive rock band. This incarnation produced one album in 1978 (which was released in 2004), which went nowhere. After this, a change in direction to shorter, pop songs was pursued. This gave them a couple of minor hits in Britain, and the one big hit here in America.

      "Der Kommissar" (which means 'the commissioner' in German) was co-written and sung by Austrian singer Falco. (remember 'Rock Me Amadeus??) in 1981. The group released this first in the summer of 1982, and it didn't fare well at all. While working on an album in December of that year, they announced it would be the last one as the group was shutting it down. Ironically, the single released began to catch fire in the states and would eventually reach #5 in February of 1983. Despite the record company begging them to reform, the group remained dormant until 2004, when they reunited and still tour today.