a-ha - The Making of Take On Me (Episode 1)
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- 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
An exclusive limited edition blue Take On Me 7" is available now to celebrate the release of The Making Of…Take On Me lnk.to/TakeOnM...
Watch the Take On Me video and take a guess at when it will reach 1 BILLION VIEWS for a chance to win tickets to meet a-ha on tour bit.ly/ahaTakeOnMe
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
🎼 Listen to more a-ha here lnk.to/ahastrm
📺 Watch all the official a-ha videos here bit.ly/ahaOffic...
🔔 Subscribe to the a-ha channel and “ring the bell” to turn on notifications bit.ly/Subscrib...
Stay In Touch with a-ha…
📡 Website a-ha.com/
🌎 Tour Dates a-ha.com/tickets
📣 Facebook / officialaha
📸 Instagram / officialaha
📱 Twitter / aha_com
🔈 Soundcloud / a-ha
Stay In Touch with Morten Harket…
📡 Website mortenharket.com/
📣 Facebook / mortenharket.official
📸 Instagram / mortenharket
📱 Twitter / mortenharket
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The a-ha channel is the official UA-cam 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 UA-cam 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).
Take a guess at when TAKE ON ME will reach 1 BILLION VIEWS for a chance to win tickets to meet a-ha on tour: lnk.to/TakeOnMeCompetition
It needs a proper upload in HD! UA-cam user 'alittlevoice' has already scanned a 35mm print in pristine condition, so restoration should be a breeze!
Sometime in the future....?
2021?😓
Tradução em português..🇧🇷
soon I guess, i hope that.really
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 !!!!
I totally agree! This is the kind of music that one doesn't get to hear a lot of nowadays!
now it 31 year now
It's a great song, but not modern. It's very dated, actually.
@Daniel Appleton Ok Boomer
Marcio Velasco ...corrext i still listen to this song!
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❤️
101 likes and no replies, let me fix that
Ps: I hope he has a good life in heaven
May he live in peace RIP
I am close to your age. The 1st time I heard the song was when I 25,000 Ft in air, I use to fly for Uncle Sam, We would try to pick up any 🎵 When we could, Loved it the 1st time I heard. Also I am sorry for ur loss but someday you will be able to sing it again with him. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁.
@@jamesford3648 Happy Christmas
@Laura Pavelka What a beautiful memory! So sorry for your loss. You'll sing it together again someday. The MTV Unplugged version is like a giant, comforting hug, but that's what Morten's voice does naturally, anyway. ❤
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.
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!
I have to agree with your statement! There has been nothing like it before, and I haven't seen anything like it since! It's the one video that both the song and video are essentially married together to make both of them work and stand out! It's like watching a wedding where you feel the love of the couple as they look into each other's eyes and finally being together!
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 .....and
then.. THAT VOCAL!!!
Untouchable!
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)
By far one of the top 10 songs of ALL TIME!!!!
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.
Yes and especially that there’s no auto tune
they are not underrated......dude, they did millions.... :) so all okey
@@AndrewLeSynt thats true! and im happy for them, but i feel like "take on me" is much more appreciated than the band "aha" themselves, if u know what i mean?
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!
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.
Nah, I’m 15 and it really is a song from the soul in the MTV Unplugged version
I have always thought the MTV Unplugged version was beautiful and heartbreaking. So is the other version, just a different style of expressing the same love story
Me too. I totally cried.
I've got to find the Unplugged version
@@kshelaanofelaas1967 same! somebody have a playlist with every version to listen to back to back?
I’m just literally grinning from ear to ear.. imagine waiting 34 years just to watch this
Me too!!! Tears in my eyes!!! Didn't want it too end, CAN NOT WAIT for the next installment! ❤️❤️❤️
Fortunately haven’t had to wait that long, but I can imagine how delighted you must be.
Imagine dying October 31 not being able to see this
Very true!
trippy man aha
I’m 52 & this song makes me yearn for the ‘80’s❣️
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.
This song could never Never NEVER grow old......
The riff is everything. Iconic. Morten has the best voice of the last 35 years.
Except Bowie!!
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.
Yes, exactly. As if it was meant to be, all pieces of the puzzle were there just waiting for the right moment to be put together.
No.. Think about it.. I'm fairly confident the melody, the riff, was there from the beginning, but the chorus wasn't. Oh yeah that's what you said. So how do you know the chorus came before Morten?
Such an intelligent comment!
Wasn't it a new producer who suggested the falsetto.
@@denisehowes4785 or Morten Harket adding the final notes because he can?
"We don't talk Any More" ... brilliant song of my high school days - Cliff thanks for powering-up the brilliance of Take-on-Me and helping it to reach its true potential !!
And producer
One of the most beautiful songs ever written has to be their "The Sun Always Shine On Tv"...decades later I still HAVE to hear it..
I agree it's one of their best. I enjoy The Sun Always Shines On TV more than Take On Me, because Take On Me gets played so much even today. I also like Living Daylights, their title song for the James Bond film.
The music was the greatest! The sheer, vast scope of styles has never been duplicated. "Take On Me" was heroically great!
Am 63 and this song has always stayed with me. I dance and sang to it so many times........
❤️ it.
Thank You
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 ❤.
i was born in 88, but musically im firmly stuck in the 80's, Take On Me is hands down the greatest pop song ever created! 1000's of years in the future people will still love A-ha
More than 30 years have passed but this masterpiece is still so catchy.
Aha are a phenomenal band....not a lot of people can see past take on me ...yes it's probably their biggest hit but theres such a massive catalogue of music from these guys and they're still going strong today selling out arenas wherever they go ..they are a very probably the most under appreciated band out there .....they are so much more than take on me
Lovely and outstanding band. It's no wonder 'Take On Me' is soon to hit a billion views. It's a fantastic song with heart and the ability to move somebody
"We are like ..dark.. Norwegian.. troubled souls.. we can't do that!" XD I'm glad you did!
Take on Me is such a once in a lifetime song and there’s not so many songs out there where you can say the same about it. Unbelievable beat and such a feel of freedom and energy every time I listen to it ❤️
"Take On Me" is showing us how important is the orchestration of a song to stand out.
And this final version is terrific.
Drums,bass,synthi sounds and of course vocals are all wonderful.
Great job with the music video too.
Yes, "Take on me" might be nice with a catchy melody but the whole album is just AWESOME!
Take On Me was a very influential song and video for me. I was 11 at the time. It not only inspired me to learn to play keyboards, but it took my love of animation to new heights. I went on to become an animator, and I've been working in animation since 1996. Now I also teach animation to a new generation. Thank you to all involved for making a true work of inspiring art.
First 7" vinyl I bought with my own money. A genuine classic. The melody haunts you, to this day. It is a pop masterpiece.
Interesting to hear how it was a struggle to write as a song over the time involved. Inspiring story.
Different, amazingly talented, deep, and often dark lyrics. A kaleidoscope of haunting melodies captured by the most beautiful voice ever heard, which will forever stir the heart. This is a-ha.
💞👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Norway personified?
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
This song is universal. Can be played for any moods or season. Most favorite song of the 80s wave. 😌😍
The video is one of the greatest videos of all time. Definitely top 5 in my eyes.
A-ha is such a Magical Band, the instrumentation is Beautiful, Lead vocalist is amazing 💥💯💯🌟 his range with the high Notes is awesome, the Keyboardist, Drummer are all great, as for the Music Video, an unbelievable creation, called Sketch Animation was out of this world 💥💥💯, well Great minds can create anything we don't see very often or ever!!!!
Since 1991, in his first performance here in my city, Fortaleza, northeast of Brazil, I never stopped going to all the performances. Today 2022, I'm almost 50 years old, I'm waiting for the next visit of this amazing band to my city! Big hug from your fan from Fortaleza.
Morten, Mags & Pål: the Holy Trinity of Great Art. A-Ha brilliant and fantastic and magical together. Thank you, guys. You bring joy to life.
I was at the last show in Oslo so many years ago. I still get chills when I remember what a great performance you gave. Looking forward to the documentary.
THERE BACK THERE TOURING AGAIN
My most favorite music video of all time ... totally taken in by it back then, it brings back memories to listen to it now ... I was in my my late 20"s edging in on 30 ...
Who else would give anything to go back to the 80s?
zestydude87 me
us!
To the 60's
Meeeeee. I never lived through the 80s and feel like I missed out on such an experience that I will never have 😢
I'D LIKE TO GO BACK TO THAT GOLDEN AGE, WHEN EVERYTHING WASN'T AS IS NOW... I RATHER HAVE THE CASSETTE RADIOS, AND WALKMANS, THEN DVD PLAYERS, AND ALL THIS UNWANTED TECHY STUFF. :D
Differently than most A-ha's fans I love the melodic songs. Such as " Holy Ground, Lifelines, Soft rains of April, Memorial beach and my favorite A-ha's song " there's never a forever thing" etc.
Such a great song and sound... For me "The sun always shines on TV" is my fav. Thanks guys...
Nice the movie song.Thankyou ❤❤
An all time classic. One of the best vocals ever.
What's fun about the video, is that Mags is playing a prophet 5, but the opening riff is on a Juno 60. That's showbiz 🌅
This video made me become a graphic designer! Best creative video ever. Born on 1979 still showing it to my kids!
'Take On Me' has to be the most beloved song ever!
I love you guys, and I love this song. I was there in the 80s, and this song has been with me for almost 4 decades. Thank you! Can't wait to watch the rest of this "making of."
One of my favorite A-Ha videos of all time, and great song too. The 80's were my time, remember seeing this video on MTV for the first time, I was blown away. A-Ha is one of my favorite bands of all time. You guys don't get the recognition you deserve here in the U.S. I remember back in the 80's having to go to a local record store and have them order Some A-ha CD's from Germany since the were nowhere to be found here in the U.S. and I had to pay close to $30 for each CD (which was quite expensive then) but I didn't care, it was well worth it.
I don't have many memories of my childhood that I can define as pure joy; happiness, contentment, etc yes, but the PURE JOY my little self felt dancing up and down the hallway of my childhood home for the few minutes of this song playing on the radio. Wow
A-ha is from another world. They make me, thanks for everything!
It was also ahead of its time! Seriously! Not many videos did the animation! It is a wanderful song!
„Take on me“ is one of the greatest masterpieces of the 80s. Thanks for the great music 🎶
Possibly, because Take on Me was so synonymous with a-ha, and many people didn't hear or understand the phenomenal tracks on HH&L, SD and their later work, I sort of put TOM on the back burner listening-wise. Then I heard the unplugged version and it blew me away. I'm really hoping they'll do it unplugged on their HH&L world tour now.
For me, the atmosphere of their first 2 albums is something I feel again and again, no matter how many times I listen to them.
I hope this opens up people to listen to their other work. The Sun Always Shines On TV is my favorite. The music on that track is phenomenal.
Eiledon Just because No they are not doing any of the unplugged stuff...I was there in Belfast on 30 Oct . It’s a concert of two halves...first half complete HHAL in the order they appear on the album. After an interval a retrospective of their best known songs from other albums and periods...and with one new song Digital River. It’s a fabulous show and I’m going to get tickets to see it again in Birmingham in a years time!
The music, the lyrics, the video. All perfect! For all ages!
OMG! I SO LOVE THIS SONG! THIS WAS THE FIRST SONG I MET MY NOW HUSBAND WITH. THOSE WERE THE DAYS. HE SAID TO ME CAN YOU TAKE ON ME, AND I SAID TAKE ON YOU? AND HE SAID BE MY WIFE, AND I SAID OKAY I'LL TAKE ON YOU, AND THERE WAS THE SONG TAKE ON ME, AND IT BLEW ME AWAY, I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE, UNTIL HE PUT IT ON THAT NIGHT IN THE JUKEBOX IN THE CLUB BACK IN THE MID 80'S
In my opinion the greatest band of all time! And I'm only 25% Scandinavian I have had some wonderful conversations with people from all over the world and they say the same thing. At my cousins funeral who died too young we played Stay on these Roads...thanks guys!
An excellent song with a great keyboard riff and absolutely superb vocals.
I never knew what it took to make this song and video what it was. It's my favorite video of all time and one of my favorite songs of all time.
This masterpiece is THE anthem of my generation. ❤️
Gen X? I am Gen X. I’m thinking you must be as well. Excellent song excellent video excellent musical arrangement and a fabulous voice. What else could we have ever wanted.
Im 63 and this song has just stayed with me ..the dream of climbing into a story and falling for the hero... set to amazing music
Amo o fato de que pessoas jovens gostam tanto de A-ha. Cresci ouvindo eles com minha mãe e achava que era a única com menos de pelo menos 30 anos que é fã 😂❤️
Alan Freakin Tarney! What a gentleman on top of getting a musicians producer (being a great one him self).
He's a key role here....he did many creatives
And suddenly I am thirteen again, music is the most important thing in the world, and every song on "Hunting High And Low" told me I wasn't alone, going through this complicated business of growing up.
I can relate to this! 👆💛
Very well put.
Thank you for that remark.
Daniel Appleton I have looked back many times at my youth,
particularly the music of the time (1980s),
and just marveled at how lucky I was to live with such a vibrant,
life-affirming soundtrack for growing up.
Daniel Appleton A good tune is always in short supply.
-Mary Finn (Neil Finn’s mum)
Daniel Appleton Ah, I’m a Gen Xer...
The entire album for that song was AMAZING. I just completed teaching myself electronics over the past year or so. I constructed a Stereo Valve Amplifier (using 100% Solar Power to solder components and attach Tubes). I then bought a brand new "Hunting High and Low" Record on Vinyl because I had worn out the old in high school. The music is still so fresh and wonderful! Its brought back so many memories! I am getting another Record and giving this to my Goddaughter who is just now getting into Vinyl. THANK YOU!!!
Take on Me FOREVER ❤ LOVE A-HA ❤❤❤
Too much love will kill You -listen to the Queen
Please take me back to the days where I'd hear this song everyday on the radio along with mister mister broken wings and tears for fears, rule the world
Great times! Great memories!
I will never get tired listening to this amazing magical song (A-ha/TakeOnMe) this is one of my favorite best of the best for me! 🎶🎵🎧🎙️
Always been one of my Absolute Fav tunes... Just can't keep my feet still when I hear it !
I'm fortunate enough to own a copy of the original dry multitracks to this iconic song. Amazing to study how it was assembled.
Ooh cool, how did you come across those? What format?
Man... to see Rick Beato get his hands on these and make a video.
This is such a unique song and joining it with the amazing cartoonesque video was and remains genius!! Thankfully it was remastered in top digital form!!💖💖
a-ha is love.
a-ha is life.
a-ha is awesome. 😎👍
Remembering the farewell tour that brought a-ha to Chicago I think for their first time. I lived on Hunting High and Low since maybe ‘88. Discovered every album since even though American radio wasn’t playing the new releases. Take On Me was the gateway drug to even better, more mature songs in the band’s repertoire. Scoundrel Days album will probably always amaze me most even though it’s 30 years ago.
A-ha played at the Auditorium in Chicago on 28 September 1986
A-ha is Take On Me and a lot more... The unforgettable Band of the 80's! ♥️🇳🇴💙
Among my favorites are also the Sun Always Shines on TV, Hunting High and Low, Early Morning, Living a Boy's Adventure, Lifelines, Stay on These Roads, Butterfly Butterfly and many more. ❤️ ❤️❤️
So even me...
2 of those men haven’t aged. Was always in love with Morten, cheekbones to die for and verrrrry European cool. Great song, great video, great story
The music video was also ground breaking. Almost every music video before this was just the band performing the song. They told a story that went perfectly with the song.
I heard this for the first time in 1986 when I was 8 years old. From that day on, I knew music would be the key to the universe. And this song.... You just can't describe it with words. Only with feelings.
I love how songs are created.
"Hey mate, that is a great riff. We should build a song around that !!"
This song still makes me smile decades after it came out. A timeless classic 😊
What magic
Thank you a-ha for posting this...can’t wait for episode #2. These guys deserve to be much better known for more that just this song, genius though it and it’s iconic video are. They are undoubtedly the most talented band in the music business, still performing and innovating their new and old music, so underrated and unacknowledged , especially in the USA. Just saw them live two days ago in Belfast...what a show, what a trio...they are unmatched in the industry! Happy birthday Mags...you still rock!! ❤️
A true classic. I still remember when it came out and I watched the video for the 1st time: mind-blown.
Me too. I recorded it on my beta VCR. Darn it I was on the wrong side of the beta versus VHS wars.
@@50toinfinityatleast Hehehe. Well, standard wars are fun, aren't they? 🤐😋
"I've Been Losing You" is a criminally underrated song, from the follow up record, Scoundrel Days. It seems they were delving into uncharted territory and away from Hunting High and Low.
Agree 100%.
Their best song 👌 the live version on the Headlines and Deadlines dvd is amazing!!!
First time I ever heard this song, after the first line I new it was special. Even today it’s still a great piece.
'Dark Norwegian troubled souls' 😁 I remember seeing the video when I was 8 and thought ' wow, how they do that?'
and then it had its wings....yes...That is the feeling I have, while hearing that song. It lifts me up in the sky. Perfect.
The genius of 3 boys + super positive team spirit! I will always love that song and get excited and happy when I hear it!
I never, ever get tired of listening to this song. It’s amazing, it’s timeless
I absolutely love this song it never gets old💞
I love this song sooooo much, no matter how many years passes. Really one of my favorites all over the world. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you from my heart for making my childhood and adult years more rich!!
Hey, you're old, like me!
My first Speccy was a 16K before I got a RAMpak for Xmas.
A-HA performed in my hometown in the 80s. I was in primary school. My parents didn't let me go, but my friends and I left school in the middle of the day, took a bus and went to their hotel to at least be able to see them. Martin was in an underground area of this hotel. I shouted his name and looked up. He probably didn't see me, but I saw him and was soooo happy. When I visited my family in 2010 I managed to get tickets and finally saw them live!
We're so greatful that they didn't give up, otherwise we would never able to listen this masterpiece
Alan Tarney had a great mind in changing the tunes of the record from using a different technology and a comparison pairing.
The keyboard was uplifting to contrast the sounds in rejuvenating the pieces from the demo of the record.
They opened with this on Wednesday night (30th Oct). Sent shivers through my body from beginning to end. A truly magical and special song.
happy birthday magene
34 years has passed and over all that time such as the 90s, early 2000s and late 2000s, it's the one song wwe can still enjoy.
Seriously we have rap and pop at its height and young generations still know the lyrics!
fist discovered a-ha back in high school 2007. ahhh. yes. I love them. East Of The Sun West Of The Moon is my all time favorite for sure.
Well in the combination of all the ideas and inputs, it turned out... MAGNIFICIENT!
U to this day, it is a great to hear and feel that music, particularly the song "TAKE on ME"
I'm happy that famous artists praise a-ha
I loved that they all consider each one as a vital part of the record.
The day this came on TV bk in 85 that was it for me fell in love with these guys and will always love. Thank you guys for coming to Belfast again truly an epic night to remember. Happy birthday magne the magnificent 🌹🌹💖💖💖💖
Ya know this whole story sounds almost sad. Only because I was there when I 1st came back from overseas, military, and we had nothing in the adores. Best video ever IMHO 😊
Adores. Not adores 🙂
Azores.
Well shite 4 samsung or Android with auto spelling not requested 🤔