Formed in early 1983 this Norwegian rock trio comprises Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and P Waaktaar.
After several years spent playing in various Scandinavian bands, including Spider Empire, Soldier Blue and Bridges, they finally found the perfect pop combination and set about selling their image to the international market. Warner Brothers Records signed them, but the debut single, "Take On Me", produced by Tony Mansfield, sold poorly. Undeterred, A-Ha's management elected to re-record the song with Alan Tarney at the helm. With the assistance of a brilliant promotional video, utilizing animated pencil sketches, the single reached number 1 in the USA and number 2 in the UK.
In 1985, with synth pop at its peak, "Take On Me" became one of the genre’s most memorable successes. The song went to No. 1 on an insidious hook and a video that deftly merged animation and live action. America forgot about the Swedish trio, but a-ha continue to enjoy international success. "Take On Me" is certainly one of the most recognisable, catchy, and quintessential songs of the '80s.
Take on Me
We're talking away
I don't know what
I'm to say I'll say it anyway
Today's another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for your love, OK?Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two
So needless to say
I'm odds and ends
But that's me stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is OK.
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry
Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two
Oh the things that you say
Is it live or
Just to play my worries away
You're all the things I've got to remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway
Take on me, take me on
I'll be gone
In a day or two
A little something about A-Ha