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Subject: Der Kommissar
Written By: whistledog on 01/09/07 at 2:41 am
Der Kommissar is a partial rap song about drug consumption. Sung in German language, it was written by and first became an International hit for Falco in 1982. That same year, he wrote an english translation, and gave it to the British group After the Fire (ATF), who took it into the US Top 5 in 1983 (it debuted in the Billboard Chart on February 22, 1983 and peaked on April 30, 1983)
Der Kommissar by Falco
US -- | UK ?? | CAN #11
Der Kommissar by After the Fire
US #5 | UK #47 | CAN #12
Some Interesting Trivia about this song is that in Canada, both versions ran simultaneously in the Top 50 chart, and peaked on the exact same date. Falco's original was a late release here, and entered the chart two weeks after the ATF cover version. Here's the Canadian chart run for Der Kommissar ...
November 27, 1982
After the Fire
December 4, 1982
After the Fire
December 11, 1982
After the Fire
Falco
December 18, 1982
After the Fire
Falco
December 25, 1982
After the Fire
Falco
January 15, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
January 22, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
January 29, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
February 5, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
February 12, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
February 19, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
February 26, 1983
After the Fire
Falco
March 5, 1983
After the Fire
March 12, 1983
After the Fire
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: Paul on 01/09/07 at 7:54 am
I remember ATF's version was played to death on European radio stations (and I guess Falco's was), therefore I presume both would have been major hits on the continent...
Falco's original did gain a British release, but didn't trouble the charts...
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: whistledog on 01/09/07 at 1:38 pm
I remember ATF's version was played to death on European radio stations (and I guess Falco's was), therefore I presume both would have been major hits on the continent...
Falco's original did gain a British release, but didn't trouble the charts...
It's a shame Falco never took it into the UK chart. I would have thought it was a minor hit at least :\'(
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: Paul on 01/09/07 at 3:48 pm
It's a shame Falco never took it into the UK chart. I would have thought it was a minor hit at least :\'(
What probably didn't help him was the fact that we normally insisted the song was converted into English to obtain radio play...
Still, it didn't do him much harm with 'Rock Me Amadeus' a few years later...
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: FaultyDog on 01/09/07 at 5:15 pm
I can tell you that the Falco version was a #18 hit in Dutch Top 40, whereas the ATF version did absolutely zilch. In fact, ATF has never had a song in Top 40 or bubbling under section.
btw: is this the same ATF as in Who's Gonna Love You (When You're Old And Fat And Ugly)? ???
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: whistledog on 01/09/07 at 5:33 pm
btw: is this the same ATF as in Who's Gonna Love You (When You're Old And Fat And Ugly)? ???
That was them yes :)
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: FaultyDog on 01/09/07 at 6:06 pm
That was them yes :)
That's what I thought, but I wanted to be sure. I still have a cassette that was played a lot in a YfC joint I frequented in the 1980s. I think it holds the complete "80-F" album, along with tracks by other artists (Bob Dylan, Andy Pratt, Cliff Richard, U2).
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: Apricot on 01/09/07 at 9:02 pm
Whoa, this was a Falco song originally? Wouldn't have guessed.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: Dominic L. on 01/09/07 at 9:44 pm
Whoa, this was a Falco song originally? Wouldn't have guessed.
Neither would've I.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: nally on 01/10/07 at 3:48 pm
I first heard ATF's version before I ever heard Falco's. They're both great.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: agrimorfee on 01/11/07 at 10:21 am
Falco's version sounds very cold and lo-fi...could have been made in someone's bedroom. ATF's is very stereotypically 80s, with the reverb vocal and synth flourishes.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: KKay on 01/11/07 at 10:55 am
I only know the Falco version. I didn't know there were two. ???
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: nally on 01/17/07 at 4:10 pm
I only know the Falco version. I didn't know there were two. ???
I'm a bit surprised you didn't know
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: Apricot on 01/17/07 at 8:49 pm
I checked out the Falco version.. like it a lot more.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: DJ Midas on 01/30/07 at 8:56 pm
Falco's version sounds very cold and lo-fi...could have been made in someone's bedroom. ATF's is very stereotypically 80s, with the reverb vocal and synth flourishes.
*snort* You should see the video. I think he made it at that store at the mall. :D
I like ATF's version better.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: agoraphobicwhacko on 05/13/07 at 5:53 am
I always loved ATF's version. I still listen to it sometimes. One of my favorite 80's 1 hit wonders.
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: KittyBass on 05/13/07 at 7:39 am
*snort* You should see the video. I think he made it at that store at the mall. :D
I like ATF's version better.
I haven't seen the video for years but I remember it as clear as day. Total laugh material. I love the song and I like Falco's the best. I bought a remix CD of that song that was released after he died and it was always in my car's CD player. It's amazing what you can buy for $5 on ebay!
Subject: Re: Der Kommissar
Written By: nally on 05/14/07 at 12:57 pm
I still like 'em both. They're both fun to listen to IMO. :)