Shnootz - Reaction Video (a-ha - Birthright)

What's cracking, folks! I'm back with another a-ha reaction, and this time we listen to the next song on their 2005 Analogue album, "Birthright." I couldn't piece together the thematic layers, though it sounds like an optimistic/encouraging song. But the tune blew me away sonically, as the dynamic balance of the tune made for some great section transitions. So join me as we listen to some more great 2000s a-ha. Cheers!

#ShnootzReactions #aha #Analogue #SynthPop #2000saha #ahaReactions #SynthPopReactions #Shnootz

[JesperHellvik]

Great song.

"And
Whatcha gonna
Walk it solitary
So unnecessary..."

I love that part in particular!

[marjoriemcbride]

It’s just a beautiful song penned by Magne as you say. Morten’s otherworldly vocals are what elevates this song, good as it is, to the ethereal in quality, remembering, as you do, that Morten is now in his mid-forties at this point. This album is full of great and memorable a-ha songs, this is one of them.

[EtherealForever]

I see someone said that wine is a recurring theme in Magne's songs... but has anyone investigated why Pål is a bit obsessed with space ;-)? Not that I am complaining. It is endearing! I find I hum this tune a lot - it is beautiful and grows on you like a weed... Thank you for the review Matt.

[sylvieouellet]

There are several (if not most 😉) A-HA songs that I can't imagine being sung by anyone other than Morten... including this one in particular. Magnificent! 🥰🎶

[MarkSatchwillArt]

By this point in their career there were bands like Coldplay and Keane who had become very popular and talked about A-ha being big influences on them. This sounds so like a Keane track.

[SJ-tkri]

Stripped back (analogue) sound, but builds steadily with some nice sonics as it reaches a crescendo. A fantastic vocal performance carries the entire song incredibly. One of my favourites on this album for sure, a lovely track.

[alisonscott]

Hi Matt, BIRTHRIGHT was written by Magne Furuholmen and has a typical melancholy feel that was reflective of the material Magne was writing at the time. This is a beautiful piano based ballad is both a highlight of the album and probably on of the finest tracks of the bands career. It has a light electronic fizz and a gentle strum along with a spine-tingling vocal delivery. Take care and I’ll catch you on the next one Matt, Stay safe 😘❤️🇳🇴❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[UnhandyCandy]

This is a magnificent track. The overall effect is ethereal, majestic, almost religious in tone. The drummer must have used all the cymbals in Norway for the saturation in this track. Love it, love it, love it. The meaning doesn't resonate with me about what i think of birth right meaning but i guess Mags was meaning that hard times do pass and you have a right to feel better in time and with help.

[ahkkariq]

At this time I realize why I always have loved this album, from the first listen. Both Magne and Pål deliver music that speaks to the heart and soul, both in terms of sound and content. The texts make me ponder and wonder if there is an underlying message hidden in the text, and if my understanding matches the author's message. And Morten, what can I say? I understand that as an inexperienced teenager I was left naked and defenseless. Morten offers you a personal relationship through his voice. A different relationship where he sings his way into your soul. He is aware of it himself, and that is probably why he is so understanding towards the fans. Fortunately, the world is full of men, because not everyone can have Morten even if we wanted to.

[sofiamar]

Yes, this is "another" Magne's song, but I got the impression you seem to think Magne is the main songwriter in a-ha. (Or did I get it wrong?) Paul was / has been the main songwriter, but Magne's input has grown steadily over the years and by this time he contributed a lot to a-ha's albums - in fact, a bit more than Paul, as I have just checked. 😯 I wasn't even aware of this. It's funny that back then I didn’t really care who wrote the songs, it was a-ha, but nowadays I am noticing more and more the differences in songwriting between Paul and Magne. And today, as I started listening to Birthright with you, I didn’t remember who wrote the song but I immediately thought "Magne". (I think the difference is even more apparent in the new album, for the first time in my life it was easy to distinguish right away who wrote what). After watching "a-ha: The Movie" I think everybody is more aware of those two "poles" in a-ha. And they have also written separately from the 2000s onwards, whereas previously they used to collaborate more (with Magne feeling unappreciated and uncredited).
Regarding lyrics, this is one of those I don't have a clue (as in probably the majority of a-ha's songs 🤣) and never made an effort to understand. The sonics are enough for me to enjoy it. ☺ But he says " just like wine" (after "everything changes over time" and "it's gonna make you start feeling better") and I suddenly thought that wine is a recurrent element in Magne's lyrics. 😁 You have reacted to Cosy Prisons recently, where you find the line "and bottled wine is vinegar tomorrow". It also reminded me of a solo song of his, but that will probably be another chapter. 😜

[JesperHellvik]

Can't wait to see your face when you get to the next album Foot of the Mountain 😁