After The Rock And Roll Has Gone is a written by Mike Peters and James Stevenson and first released by The Alarm MMVIII on The Counter Attack album released in 2008. It would then later appear on the 2010 Direct Action album on the Direct Television DVD.
2008 Counter Attack recording
Running length 4:28
Written by Mike Peters / James Stevenson
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Guitar
James Stevenson – Guitar
Craig Adams – Bass Guitar
Steve Grantley – Drums
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studios, Dyserth Wales
Recorded mixed and engineered by Martin Wilding
Produced by Mike Peters
Click on above image for audio
Review of the song from The Alarm official website as part of a review by Steve Fulton of Direct Action album in 2010
However, it’s the power of the final track, After The Rock And Roll Is Gone that really gets to you. This is Mike Peters singing about the ultimate future. He’s hoping that it’s all been worth it, that he has made his mark, not only the on people around him, but on himself. This final track is relatable in ways that few Alarm songs have been in the past, and punctuates an exponential growth in songwriting that appears on these tracks.
Alternative Studio recording
2010 Direct Action album
2010 – Direct Action Album
Running length 4:33
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Guitar
James Stevenson – Electric Guitar
Craig Adams – Bass Guitar
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums
Produced by Mike Peters
Mixed by Chris Fielding, Gilby Clarke, Martin Wilding
Album appearances and discography of studio recordings
The following are Worldwide releases unless stated otherwise
2008 : The Alarm MMVIII – Counter Attack
Released on CD by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C041
2008 original recording, remastered
2010 : The Alarm MMX – Direct Action
Released on CD/DVD Double pack by Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21Cxxx
Recording tbc
Officially released DVD
Lyrics ~ 2018 Counter Attack Album
After the final chord has faded
The lights have all burned out
After the rain has washed us from the streets
After the sound there comes a silence
I hope I can live without
The crashing of these drums and these guitars
I have given everything that I can give
And more when what I gave was not enough
After the rock and roll has gone
After the sound of revolution
After the storm the calm
After the last goodbye I’ll walk away
I have looked everyone I’ve known between the eyes
And stood for everything I thought was right
After the rock and roll has gone
After all is said and done and all the bloodshed wasted
The battles that we’ve fought are history
I wish I could take you with me when I go
But this final step I must walk alone
After the rock and roll has gone
(Page updated 09/11/2025)