Der Kommissar
After the Fire Lyrics

Zwei, drei, vier, one, two, three, it's easy to see
The song begins with a simple count-in of 1, 2, 3, 4 that indicates the start of the song.

But it's not that I don't care, so
The singer doesn't want to give the impression that he doesn't care, even though he hears something important all the time that no one talks about.

'Cause I hear it all the time, but they never let you know
While hearing something constantly on TV and the radio, people never truly understand its hidden message.

On the TV and the radio (cha!)
The sound 'cha!' indicates frustration felt by the singer when people don't pick up on the messages being broadcasted on TV and radio constantly.

She was young, her heart was pure, but every night is bright she got
The singer describes a woman who is young and innocent, but is out every night and living fast.

She said, "sugar is sweet", she come a-rappin' to the beat
The woman prefers rapping to singing and sweet talks despite living fast.

Then I knew that she was hot
The woman's confident and bold nature impressed the singer to recognize her beauty.

"Don't turn around, oh oh oh
The chorus begins with a repetitive warning to not turn around.

(Ja, ja) Der Kommissar's in town, whoa oh oh
The warning is followed by the introduction of the Kommissar, who has arrived in town, likely to enforce the law.

You're in his eye and you'll know why
The singer warns that if the Kommissar is watching you, it's for a reason, and you will know why.

The more you live, the faster you will die
The singer implies that those who live fast and don't heed warnings will die quickly.

Alles klar, Herr Kommissar?
The singer finishes the chorus with a phrase in German asking if everything is clear to the Kommissar.

She said, "Babe, you know I miss Jill and Joe
The woman tells the singer that she misses her friends Jill and Joe.

And all my funky friends"
The woman's friends are described as funky, meaning they are hip and fashionable.

But my street understanding was just enough to know what she really meant
The singer understands what the woman truly meant despite her vague communication due to his familiarity with street culture.

And I got to thinking while she was talking
While the woman was speaking, the singer was thinking deeply about her words.

That I know she told the story
The singer believes that the woman told a compelling story.

Of those special places that she goes
The woman described special places she goes, likely in pursuit of excitement and thrill.

When she rides with the others in the subway singin'
The woman and her friends travel through the subway together, singing, and having fun.

And if he talks to you and you don't know why
If the Kommissar approaches you and you don't understand why, the singer warns that it is not a good sign.

You say your life is gonna make you die
The singer implies that those who are not cautious and responsible with their life will experience a quick death.

Well, we meet Jill and Joe and brother Herr with the whole cool gang and, oh
The singer describes meeting Jill, Joe, and Herr along with their group of cool friends.

They're rappin' here, they're rappin' there, but she's climbin' on the wall
The group is actively rapping and having fun while the woman climbs a wall, causing concern for her safety.

It's a clear case, Herr Kommissar
The situation is straightforward and requires the Kommissar's enforcement.

'Cause all the children know
The children are aware of the situation and its potential danger.

They're all slidin' down into the valley
The children, including the woman, are engaging in risky behavior and headed towards potential danger.

They're all slipping on the same snow
The children are experiencing the same negative consequences.

He's got the power and you're so weak
The Kommissar has the authority and the people are powerless against him.

And your frustration will not let you speak
The people cannot express their frustrations as the Kommissar's power silences them.

La, la, la, la, la, la
The chorus ends with a simple, almost nonsensical phrase.