John Watts recorded and performed as 'John Watts' during 1981-83 before forming The Cry in 1984. Watts later continued with a new incarnation of Fischer-Z in 1987, with him being the only original member. Albums were released with a similar line-up until 1995 when John Watts returned to being 'J M Watts', 'Watts' and John Watts. In 2002 the moniker was revived once more for the album "Ether". There was a 2004 reunion of the original band for one short show which featured on the Garden Party DVD which was released along with the Fischer-Z Highlights 1979-2004 25th anniversary compilation album.
After this John continued performing and recording solo with the most recent album being 2005's 'Real Life Is Good Enough', "It Has To Be" (2006) and "Morethanmusic & Films" (2009).
In august 2010 John Watts had a couple of shows in the Netherlands with his current band (Sam Walker on drums and Matthew Gest on keyboard) playing good old Fischer-Z repertoire. He presented this band as "the new Fischer-Z". Though John Watts focuses on his solo efforts more than on Fischer-Z (no new releases under that name) lately he revives the band when concert tent to be focused on that period of his live.
Red Skies Over Paradise
Fischer-Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I held it up to my ear.
The beads of sweat gathered on my head and trickeld down.
Out in the park children were playing.
Though it was dark... the sky glowed red.
People were stunned, everyone waiting
Nobody knew why...
The newsman said most of London's gone.
We saw the cloud rise from here.
An ice cream van with it's music on goes round and round.
Out in the park children were playing.
Though it was dark the sky glowed red.
People were stunned, everyone waiting.
Nobody knew why...
But they know it all now.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
There's lots of sand on the cellar floor.
We went down there for the night.
The barricades that my brother made keeps out the light.
Out in the park... children were playing.
Though it was dark the sky glowed red.
People were stunned, everyone waiting.
Nobody knew why...
But they know it all now.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
The lyrics of Fischer-Z's "Red Skies Over Paradise" depict a scene of fear and confusion as the singer hears about a catastrophic event on the radio while observing the ominous red skies. The verse "Out in the park children were playing, Though it was dark... the sky glowed red. People were stunned, everyone waiting, Nobody knew why... But they know it all now" highlights the innocence and vulnerability of the people caught up in this disaster. The singer seeks refuge in a bunker with his family as he contemplates his depersonalization in the face of the devastating effects of war. The repetition of the phrase "Men pressing buttons don't care about me" underscores the sense of isolation and helplessness of the individual in the face of mass destruction and the actions of those in positions of power.
The song, released in 1981, was likely inspired by the heightened tension of the Cold War period and the fear of a possible nuclear attack on London. The band's frontman, John Watts, has stated in interviews that the song was initially written as an instrumental piece before the lyrics were added. The song is considered a new wave classic and has been covered by several artists, including Nena, whose German version "Rote Lippen" became a hit in the 1980s.
Line by Line Meaning
My hand reached down for the radio.
I picked up the radio and held it to my ear.
I held it up to my ear.
I listened closely to the radio.
The beads of sweat gathered on my head and trickeld down.
I was nervous and sweating profusely.
Out in the park children were playing.
Children were playing in the park.
Though it was dark... the sky glowed red.
Despite being nighttime, the sky had a red hue.
People were stunned, everyone waiting
Everyone was shocked and waiting for an explanation.
Nobody knew why...
No one knew what was happening or why.
But they know it all now.
Now everyone knows what happened and why.
The newsman said most of London's gone.
The newsman reported that most of London was destroyed.
We saw the cloud rise from here.
We witnessed the explosion's mushroom cloud from our location.
An ice cream van with it's music on goes round and round.
Despite the destruction, an ice cream van continues to play music and go around the area.
Down in their bunkers under the sea.
People are hiding in bunkers underwater.
Men pressing buttons don't care about me.
Those in charge don't care about the consequences of their actions on individuals like me.
There's lots of sand on the cellar floor.
The cellar is dirty and sandy.
We went down there for the night.
We sought refuge in the cellar for the night.
The barricades that my brother made keeps out the light.
The barriers my brother created blocked out any light.
Contributed by Nolan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@linusdn2777
This whole album is perfect. There isn't a song on it that i find bad or uninteresting
@mannyoliveira8271
Amazing band. Amazing song with deep meaning!
@jeroenarends5234
This is an amazing album. I bought it when I was a teenager. Back then, the Cold War was still in full swing and people were worried about nuclear Armageddon. Those days have passed......or have they? Anyway, there are some great songs on that album and this is one of them.
@hubschab
One of the best bands ever and one of my favorites of all time :)
@Brampiescampie
but extremly poor live vocals
@ZuselADZ
I love it so much!! ❤
@LeonelAuxiliar
One of the greatest bands ever!!!!!!! I wonder why is it that we don't hear it around anymore!
@frankstefanhorn7988
...for they even existed till few years ago...
@keinname5318
Haha lol
@keinname5318
U gay