After The Fire were formed in the UK in 1972 by keyboard player Peter Banks, Andy Piercy (guitar, bass), Ivor Twidell (drums) and John Russell (guitar). The market was responsive to UK adult-orientated rock during the early 70s but the band's mixture of "pomp Christian pop" was slow to break through. They eventually secured a contract following the release of their debut album on their own label. CBS Records invested in them and they were rewarded with a UK Top 40 hit, "One Rule For You", in 1979. The accompanying album, although polished, sold only to the converted. The band's subsequent recordings were minor hits until the unexpected major success of "Der Kommissar". Originally recorded by Falco in his native Germany, After The Fire's version went on to sell over a million copies worldwide, and made the US Top 5. However, by the time it charted, the group had already broken up, frustrated by record company indecision and the Christian ethos that "made things worse, as we couldn't have a good old swearing and slanging match." Banks built his own studio before becoming managing director of Maldon Computer Company, a software and networking enterprise. Twidell released three Christian rock solo albums, Waiting For The Sun (1981), Secret Service (1981) and Duel (1983), after leaving the group following the debut album. He then became a member of the Bedfordshire police force. Russell was last sighted working in a hi-fi shop. Piercy retained the rights to the name, although it was now abbreviated to ATF. Still a practising Christian, after submitting an unreleased solo album for CBS he went on to do production work for the Truth, T'Pau (when they were known as Talking America) and Gary Numan. (Source : VH1)

Listen To Me (Released 1979)

I know you think I'm crazy, I know you think I'm mad
But what I'm trying to say is, You've got to understand
All the world I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me
World I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me
They wanna take your freedom, they wanna tie you down
They tell you you can fly, But then they push you in the ground
All the world I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me
World I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me

They'll sell you down the river, They'll steal your very soul
You need to be delivered, by the rock that does'nt roll
All the world I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me
World I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me

I know you think I'm crazy, I know you think I'm mad
But what I'm trying to say is, You've got to understand
All the world I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me
World I'm talking to you, You've gotta listen to me

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