a-ha - The Making of Take On Me (Episode 1)

Part 1 of The Making Of… Take On Me covers the story behind the origins of the song with commentary from the band and an array of contributors

Produced and Directed by Sorcha Macdonald and Warner Music Entertainment

Project Managed by Katie Graham

Photography by Fritz Johannessen, Henning Kramer Dahl, Just Loomis, Per Arne Skjeggestad, Viggo Bondi

With thanks to… Alan Tarney, Andrew Wickham, Bethany Dawson, Candace Reckinger, Ed Miliband, Ed Sheeran, Harald Wiik, James Blunt, Jamie Carter, Jeff Ayeroff, John Beug, John Hughes, Just Loomis, Magne Furuholmen, Michael Patterson, Morten Harket, Nile Rodgers, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Pete Vuckovic, Richard Hughes, Tim Rice-Oxley, Tom McPhee, Tyler Shoemaker, The Savoy Café and Harriet Davis

Stay In Touch with a-ha…

Stay In Touch with Morten Harket…

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The a-ha channel is the official YouTube home of the Norwegian Pop trio a-ha, who achieved global stardom in 1985 when their debut single, “Take On Me” from the album ‘Hunting High And Low’ topped the charts in 36 different countries on its way to becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time, and the 5th most streamed song of the 20th century. a-ha struck chart gold again with “The Sun Always Shines On T.V.” and “Cry Wolf,” and recorded the theme to the 1987 James Bond film “The Living Daylights”. The a-ha YouTube channel is proud to host the music videos from these hits alongside live performance videos, lyric videos, and the solo work of band members Morten Harket (lead vocals), Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (Guitar), and Magne Furuholmen (Keyboards).

[laurapavelka]

I am almost 70yrs old and when I happened to hear TAKE ON ME..what a fantastic “back in the day” feeling I had..My husband, now passed away, and I sang our hearts out to that one. OH, how I miss him❤️

[marciovelasco]

Take on me is an eternal song. More than 30 years after its release, this song still retains a modern, upbeat and pop atmosphere, just as it was when it was released. This is something magical !!!!

[conorfurlong]

This is absolutely brilliant.

I’ve waited years to hear the band given the opportunity to talk in depth about their music, how it was written and recorded.

[leongth]

I’m just literally grinning from ear to ear.. imagine waiting 34 years just to watch this

[MamaToFive]

Why does this song and especially the video give me the absolute chills? The end part when he is hitting the walls, then falls in front of the girl just kills me inside still...I will be 51 next week (the 22nd of Feb) and this song still gets me every time!

[artdonovandesign]

Hands down, one of the most unique, creatively proprietary and exciting songs in the history of popular music.

IT RICHLY DESERVES TO BE UP ALONG SIDE THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME, CONTEMPORARY RECORDINGS.The aural quality- the flawless instruments, the arrangement and the perfect mixing job
then.. THAT VOCAL!!!

Untouchable!

[moonfestal]

A-ha are honestly so underappreciated as a band. They made a wonderful, magical song, and while it's great that that's what put their name on people's radars, I think it would be really great if their other works became well-known and celebrated as well.

[Dwendele]

That MTV Unplugged version is possibly one of the most beautifully done songs EVER. I fondly remember that crazy, mind blowing video for the original when it came out... It was a fun feel good song. But the unplugged version is an entirely new animal. It's a heart breaking, soul rending love song. Made me cry the first time I heard it. Idk maybe I'm getting soft in my old age.

[mattma]

This song could never Never NEVER grow

[uncipaws]

The interesting thing here is that the song was composed before they even met Morten, and still it appears to be written exactly for his vocal range. There are very few singers who have volume and expression across more than two octaves. The riff and the refrain were created independently from each other but still it all fits together so nicely and organically.

[pamelaspain]

I’m 52 & this song makes me yearn for the ‘80’s❣️

[laimaravillon]

i love that their channel also homes the individual solo work of each of their band's members; this is true companionship and Band Spirit

[telecleez]

A-ha's "Take on Me" screams 80's to me since I grew up in the 70's and 80's it has everything in that makes 80's music 80's. (at least to me)

[barramundi]

The riff is everything. Iconic. Morten has the best voice of the last 35 years.

[murraychadwick]

I graduted in 1980. What a great time it was to experience transitioning from the great music of the 70's as teens to the awesome music of the 80's as adults. This musiv is still the only music I listen too and now I'm in my retirement years 😂. This music has kept me young at heart, mind, and soul. I am very lucky to have lived my life during this generation of music ❤.

[porchmail]

More than 30 years have passed but this masterpiece is still so catchy.

[SodoMojo]

I grew up with a-ha, this song along with many of theirs hold special place in my heart. Thank you Morten, Paul and Magne...and all those who made it possible. My life would have had a little empty spot without it.

[miyagusi]

This song is universal. Can be played for any moods or season. Most favorite song of the 80s wave. 😌😍

[HeadacheMachine]

I saw them live in France back in 1988 and they were awsome. As a musician myself, I was fascinated by their writing skills and on stage they weren't a pop band but a f*** rock band, they kicked ass big time! Hard and loud and mean, with Morten running all over the place, singing as if it was his last day on Earth...The shocked look of disbelief of all the teenage girls wetting their knickers while screaming "Morten! Morten" when they launched the riff of "The sun always shines on TV"...Priceless! I saw some crying, not understanding what was happening, shouting (in french of course) "What are they doing?What are they doing?". They wanted to see a pop band but well.. disappointment kicked in and voila! a-ha is a rock band with great tunes! Traumatised for life!
Cheers guys!

[artdonovandesign]

The music was the greatest! The sheer, vast scope of styles has never been duplicated. "Take On Me" was heroically great!