After the Fire
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)
Wild West Show
Life is a circus, a crazy circus
With everybody in the ring at the same time
And no-one waiting for the band to start
I think it's gonna blow the show apart
Life is a movie, we are the actors
But everybody's going round all thinking they
Should be the one to get the starring part
There's gonna be a lot of broken hearts
Feel like a rider in a wild west show
Caught up in a rodeo
I don't know which way to go
Life is an ocean, I want to swim it
I don't know which way I should go if I should ever
Want to try and find the nearest shore
Or if it's even what I'm looking for
Life is a mountain, I want to climb it
If I go up I have to stop if I go down I only
Get to where I've been before
I think there's got to be a little more
Feel like a rider in a wild west show
Caught up in a rodeo
I don't know which way to go
Can someone tell me what is going on
Give me directions and I'll meet you there
If it's a joke it's going on too long
We've had all the thrills none of the fun of the fair
This roller coasters going much too fast
Don't think we're gonna make it round the bend
I'm breathing every breath as if it is my last
Hold on to your hats I think we're going round again
Life's a game of football, but no-ones watching
'Cause everybody's on the pitch and going mad
'Cause there is on-one who can find the ball
It's gonna turn into a free for all
Feel like a rider in a wild west show
Caught up in a rodeo
I don't know which way to go
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