The single peaked at number six on the U.S.
Billboard Hot 100[5][6] and at No. 5 in Canada. It also managed to enter some European charts, including Ireland, where it peaked at No. 24, and the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 84.
"After All" also became Cher's first solo number one hit on the
Adult Contemporary chart in the United States. Her earlier number one was in 1971 when
Sonny & Cher's "All I Ever Need Is You" spent five weeks at the top.[7] In a 2014 article in Billboard, writer Keith Caulfield listed "After All" as Cher's ninth biggest chart hit.[8] The song was ranked number 79 on US
Billboard Year-end Hot 100 singles of 1989.[9] The song found strong success stateside, but no video was ever made to further promote it. It was certified gold by the
RIAA for sales of 500,000 copies.[10] As of November 2011[update], Billboard reported the digital sales of "After All" to be 226,000 in the US.[11]
Cher and Cetera have never performed the song together live. Cher performed a solo version of the song during her
Heart of Stone and
Love Hurts tours. She then performed it with her keyboardist/musical director,
Paul Mirkovich, for her
Believe and
Farewell tours. She also performed it in her residencies
Cher at the Colosseum and
Classic Cher, as well as during her
Here We Go Again Tour. The latter performances would accompany a video montage of Cher in film, which would start before the song begins.
Since the early 2000s, Peter Cetera has been performing "After All" during his live performances as a duet with female backing vocalists including Kim Keyes,[13] Jamelle Fraley,[14][15] and Tania Hancheroff.[16]