Up For Murder started life alongside Unsafe Building as the earliest of Alarm songs. I first heard it sung by Dave Sharp in his 1981 The Screamin’ Demons. Dave had “borrowed” my acoustic guitar while I was away in London and fitted it with a cheap electric pickup. This became the genesis of the early Alarm guitar sound. First recorded on 4th September 1981 at Pluto Studios, Manchester and released as the acoustic side of the debut Alarm single of that year, this new recording of Murder replicates the high speed tempo (198 B.P.M.) of the earliest version – Mike Peters, liner notes of Second Generation Volume 1 Rare Songs of the Alarm Revisited, 1995
Up For Murder is a song that was recorded as the Alarm and first appeared on a double sided 7″ single Unsafe Building / Up For Murder which was officially released at the Upstairs at Ronnies gig In London, England on 9th December 1981. The single was produced in quantity of 2000 and self-made by the band as way to promote themselves. The sleeve as a “tri-fold” and the band and road crew put together these together at their base in South London – 13 Emu Road, Battersea
Pluto Studios was chosen for the recording of Up For Murder (and Unsafe Building) because the Clash had recorded there. Up For Murder was to embody the acoustic side of the debut single and was delivered with a full frontal, combat-folk style vocal, which entailed all three acoustic singers, Mike, Dave and Eddie singing full voice and in unison – Alarm 2000 collection Eponymous sleeve notes
Unsafe Building 7″ Single 1981 recording details
Running length 2:25
Written by Sharp
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic 12 string Guitar
Mike Peters – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums & Percussion
Recorded 4th September 1981 at Pluto Studios, Manchester, England
Produced by The Alarm and Scratch
Engineered by Phil Bush
Fan comments – Pauline Redman – I remember hearing the record version after the first time of seeing them live, it got played & played non stop at my house! Amazed it wasn’t worn out! Always loved this live
Fan comments – Mike Doyle – One of my all time favourite tracks. First heard on a bootleg tape in the mid 80s and was hooked. Mike played it as a request for me at the first night at the Norwegian church series of shows. I was made up. Wish I had a copy of it from there
Fan comments – Stephen Rav – It’s raw-n-speedy, acoustic outlaw punk and it perfectly fit that rebellious western image of the early days
Fan comments – Christian Saunders – I didn’t start getting into music until Eye of the Hurricane, so I completely missed the first few releases (in my defence, I was six when the EP came out) and didn’t hear Up for Murder until the 1990 version. Back then, I wasn’t impressed to be honest. Compared to the rest of the Alarm material I’d heard to that point it sounded weak and, well, like a throwaway b-side. When I heard the original version on the Alarm 2000 set, I thought that was much better, much more passionate sounding, and the sequencing allowed me to see where it fitted into Alarm history
Alternative studio recordings releases
Re-recorded ~ Acoustic ~ Remasters ~ Dead Men Walking ~ Re-imagined
1990 – The Alarm – Unsafe Building Year 1990 re-recording
Running length 2:53
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Mike Peters – Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Eddie Macdonald – Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Recorded at Amazon Studios, Liverpool, England on 5th August 1990.
Produced by The Alarm. Engineered & mixed by Mark Phythanian.
(v) 1995 – Elevator Studios, Liverpool, England recording
Running length 2:33
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Owen Thomas – Drums
Recorded & mixed at Elevator Studios, Liverpool, England 16th-18th September 1995
Produced by Michael Peters. Engineered & mixed by Mark Phythanian
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Eponymous [1981-1983] [Remastered]
Running length 2.25
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic 12 string Guitar
Mike Peters – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums & Percussion
Remastered from the 1981 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2000 – The Alarm – The Alarm 2000 Collection Box Set : Raw [1990-1981] [Remastered]
Running length 2:53
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Mike Peters – Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums, Backing Vocals
Remastered from the 1990 original recording by Mike Peters
Remastering Engineered by Gary Butler @ RTS Liverpool in 2000
2006 – Dead Men Walking new recording details
Running length 2.36
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Kirk Brandon – Lead Guitar
Captain Sensible – Bass Guitar
Slim Jim Phantom – Drums
Recorded on the night of Monday 2 October 2006, at Foel Studios, Llanfair Caereinion, Wales
2014 – Peace Train – Acoustic recording details
Running length 2:25
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Harmonica
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studios, North Wales.
Produced by Michael Peters.
Recorded and mixed by Mark Warden.
2018 – The Alarm – Eponymous [1981-1983] remastered
Running length: 2:27
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Acoustic 12 string guitar
Mike Peters – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Eddie Macdonald – Acoustic guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Nigel Twist – Drums & Percussion
Remastered from the 1981 original recording by Pete Maher
Remastering supervised by Mike Peters
Album Appearances and discography for studio versions
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
1995 : Mike Peters – Second Generation Volume 1 Rare Songs of the Alarm revisited
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C002.
1995 Elevator Studios, Liverpool recording
2000 : The Alarm – Eponymous [1981-1983]
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C010
Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc
1981 recorded version remastered
2000 : The Alarm – Raw [1990-1991]
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C016
Appearing as part of The Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc
1990 recorded version remastered
2007 – Dead Men Walking – Graveyard Smashes Volume 1
Released on CD by Resistance, catalogue number RES 005.
2006 Foel Studios, Wales recording
2014 : The Alarm – The Peace Train
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C066.
2014 Bethel Chapel Studios recording
16th March 2018 : The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983) remastered
Release on Vinyl and CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue numbers double vinyl LP 21C093 and double CD 21C093
1981 recorded version remastered
Single Appearances and discography for studio versions
UK Releases
(v) 9th December 1981 : The Alarm 7″ vinyl single – Unsafe Building
Track listing : Unsafe Building (Electric Side) / Up For Murder (Acoustic side)
White Cross Records (no catalogue number)
1981 Pluto Studios, Manchester recording 
15th October 1990 : The Alarm – 7″ vinyl single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 (Acoustic side)
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number ALARM2
1990 re-recorded version
15th October 1990 : The Alarm – 7″ vinyl single collectors pack – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 (Acoustic side)
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number ALARM E2
1990 re-recorded version
15th October 1990 : The Alarm – 12″ vinyl single with free poster – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 / Up For Murder 1981 (Acoustic side)
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number ALARM T2
1990 re-recorded version and 1981 version remastered
22nd October 1990 : The Alarm – CD single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 / Up For Murder Year 1990 / Unsafe Building 1981
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number ALARMCD2
1990 re-recorded version and 1981 version remastered
22nd October 1990 : The Alarm – Cassette single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 / Up For Murder Year 1990 / Unsafe Building 1981 / Up For Murder 1981
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number ALARM C2
1990 re-recorded version and 1981 version remastered
Europe Releases
October 1990 : The Alarm – 7″ vinyl single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 (Acoustic side)
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number 1C 006 2 04128 7
1990 re-recorded version
October 1990 : The Alarm – 12 vinyl single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 (Acoustic side)
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number 1C 060 2 04128 6
1990 re-recorded version and 1981 version remastered
October 1990 : The Alarm – CD single – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 / Up For Murder Year 1990 / Unsafe Building 1981
Released by IRS Records, catalogue number 20 4128.
1990 re-recorded version and 1981 version remastered
Germany Release
October 1990 : The Alarm – 7″ vinyl single promo – Unsafe Building Year 1990
Track listing : Unsafe Building Year 1990 (Electric side) / Up For Murder Year 1990 (Acoustic side)
Released by EMI Electrola, catalogue number 2041287
1990 re-recorded version
Officially Released Live Recordings ~ Audio
All the following are Worldwide releases on The Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
23rd August 2003. Recorded at William Aston Hall, NEWI, Wrexham, Wales
Running length 3:11
Performed by Mike Peters solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2003 on Alarmstock Volume 1 – The Start Of The Beginning And The Point Of No Return
27th September 1983. Recorded live at Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Running length 3:45
Performed by The Alarm : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 1999 as The Alarm Live on the King Biscuit Flower Hour – on King Biscuit records in the UK – catalogue number KBFHCD028, USA – catalogue number 70710-88049-2, Spain – catalogue number CELCD 027
Released on CD in 2002 as The Alarm Blaze of Glory – on Disky in Europe – catalogue number SI 794172
Released on DVD-Audio in 2003 as The Alarm From The Front Row ….. Live! – on Silverline in the USA – catalogue number 288157-9
4th December 2000. Recorded at The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
5th December 2000. Recorded at University, Newcastle, England
Running length 2:32
7th December 2000. Recorded at The Cockpit, Leeds, England
Running length 2:45
8th December 2000. Recorded at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, England
9th December 2000. Recorded at The Lomax, Liverpool, England
Running length 2:52
10th December 2000. Recorded at The Leadmill, Sheffield, England
13th December 2000. Recorded at Rock City, Nottingham, England
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England
Running length 2:47
17th December 2000. Recorded at University, Manchester, England.
December tour dates performed by The Alarm MM : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
The UK December dates were part of the tour to promote The Alarm 2000 collection
6th August 2005. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London NW8, England
Running length 3:09
Performed by Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III London Set 3 – A Fuse Has Been Lit In The House
13th August 2005. Recorded at Electric Lady Studio A, New York, USA
Running length 3:05
Performed by Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released in 2005 on Alarmstock III New York Set 1 – Broken Glass Everywhere
25th November 2011. Recorded at Korks, Otley, England
Running length 2:21
Performed by Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2012 Mike Peters – 30th Anniversary Acoustic Alarm Tour 1981-2011, catalogue number 21C059
18th April 2014. Recorded at McCabe’s, Santa Monica, California, USA
Running length 2:30
Performed by Mike Peters Solo acoustic
Released on CD in 2014 Mike Peters In Concert at McCabe’s, catalogue number 21C069
Officially Released Recordings ~ Video/DVD
All the following are Worldwide releases on The Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
15th December 2000. Recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, England
Performed by The Alarm MM : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Richard Llewellyn, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2002 – The Alarm MM – Greatest Hits Live, catalogue number 21CDVD001
12th January 2001. Recorded at The Gathering 9, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales
Performed by Mike Peters acoustic solo in the round.
Released on DVD in 2005 – The Alarm – The Gathering History, catalogue number CDVD003
27th January 2007. Recorded at The Gathering 15, The North Wales Conference Centre, Llandudno, Wales.
Performed by The Alarm : Mike Peters, James Stevenson, Craig Adams, Steve Grantley
Released on DVD in 2007 – The Alarm – Live At The Gathering 2007 Premium Rock & Roll, catalogue number 21CDVD010
5th April 2014. Recorded at The Deaf Institute, Manchester, England
Performed by Mike Peters acoustic solo
Released in 2014 on DVD – Declaration – Live From The Deaf Institute , catalogue number 21CDVD017
Radio Sessions, TV Appearances, Podcasts and online Multi-media
13th February 1983 : Kid Jensen Session – Recorded for the BBC Radio One
First transmitted on 23rd February 1983
Running length 2:37
Performed by The Alarm : Mike Peters, Dave Sharp, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist
Released on CD in 2008 as The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991 BBC on Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C045
15th August 2023. 40th Anniversary Digital Single
A download of the original single recording along with original artwork was made available to download or stream on digital platforms
Lyrics ~ 1981 Single
Well take a look and listen to the things that I have said
Well could I really tell the truth with a rifle at my head
Yeah, I gunned down a president
Yeah I have done a crime
But now you’ve got to listen ‘cos I’m running out of time
But it’s not me that you’re after it’s not me that’s gonna pay
But it’s not me that is guilty
That’s a man with the C.I.A.
Well I got put in jail because I got into a fight
And while I was in prison I got beat up every night
Yeah, torture it was blackmail I was messed up with cocaine
And then they had me thinking I knew just who to blame
But it’s not me that you’re after it’s not me that’s gonna pay
But it’s not me that is guilty
That’s a man with the C.I.A.
(It wasn’t me)
(It wasn’t me)
But it’s not me that you’re after it’s not me that’s gonna pay
But it’s not me that is guilty
That’s a man at the C.I.A.
Well there I stood before him a revolver in my hand
With one shot for the torture and a bullet for the man
So now I’m up for murder on a charge I can’t deny
There ain’t no clues I’m born to lose and noones gonna ask me why
But it’s not me that you’re after it’s not me that’s gonna pay
But it’s not me that is guilty
That’s a man with the C.I.A.
But it’s not me that you’re after it’s not me that’s gonna pay
But it’s not me that is guilty
That’s a man with the C.I.A.
C.I.A.
C.I.A.
The C.I.A.
Alternative lyrics ~ Second Generation Vol 1 recording
Well take a look and listen to the things that I have said
Well could I really tell the truth with a shotgun at my head
Yeah, I gunned down a president
Yeah I have done a crime
But now you’ve got to listen ‘cos I’m running out of time
Well it’s not me that you’re after
It’s not me that’s gonna pay
Well It’s not me that is guilty
It’s a man at the C.I.A.
Hey hey hey
Well I got put in jail because I got into a fight
And while I was in prison I got beat up every night
Yeah, torture it was blackmail I was messed up with cocaine
And then they had me thinking that I knew just who to blame
Well it’s not me that you’re after
It’s not me that’s gonna pay
Well It’s not me that is guilty
It’s a man at the C.I.A.
Hey hey hey
Well it’s not me that you’re after
It’s not me that’s gonna pay
Well It’s not me that is guilty
It’s a man at the C.I.A.
Hey hey hey
So there I stood before him a revolver in my hand
With one shot for the torture and a bullet for the man
So now I’m up for murder on a charge I can’t deny
Well there ain’t no clues I’m born to lose and no-ones gonna ask me why
Well it’s not me that you’re after
It’s not me that’s gonna pay
Well It’s not me that is guilty
It’s a man at the C.I.A.
Well it’s not me that you’re after
It’s not me that’s gonna pay
Well It’s not me that is guilty
It’s a man at the C.I.A.
Hey hey hey
C.I.A.
Hey hey hey
C.I.A.
The C.I.A.
Audio & Visual Sources ~ 1 x Video ~ 2 x Audio
Audio Link – Original 1981 recording taken from the Unsafe Building single
Audio Link – 1990 Re-recording taken from Unsafe Building Year 1990 single
Video Link – Unofficial video from Dead Men Walking Leeds Variety Theatre 2006
(Page updated 03/04/2024)