In June 2017 a-ha recorded a live acoustic album during two performances in Giske, Norway. A couple of hundred people were lucky enough to be present on those special nights…
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Written in 1984, "Take On Me" was the song that almost didn't make it. The band recorded it twice and was dissatisfied and nearly gave up. Record execs.. at Warner Brothers thought the song was worth giving a shot, and decided to produce a music video to help market the song
Take On Me," by the Norwegian band A-Ha. It’s not a common choice at karaoke (because of its demanding melodic range), and few major artists have produced their own versions of it. Morten Harket's vocal range is difficult, maybe impossible, to match. As a result, the song is sort of untouchable.
Morten Harket's vocals are certainly recognizable with your eyes closed. According to some sources, his vocal range spans five octaves. He perfectly hitting high notes while singing the iconic "Take on me" and 34 years after the song's release.
I did this for karaoke once! I was Tenor I in high school and for about 10 more years I could hit those notes pretty well. Alas, too many moons ago now.
My ex could do it. He'd start the song at karaoke, and everyone in the bar would wince in anticipation. I'd watch the audience instead of him to see the looks of amazement when he actually pulled it off!
I’m old. Rutgers grad 2000. I was lucky enough to do an internship in the city at MTV. One of my parting gifts was a cd of songs of the 80s. Nothing got people dancing like this song. This post brought me back. Thank you.
It's more impressive, I think, if you watch some of his stuff from his time as lead vocalist for Skid Row. Going from that to this... is just, well, again... fucking insane.
This is not only the best song of the 80s, but it is a vocal masterpiece that ranks it at a Top 10 best song ever! Agree or not, you know I’m not wrong.
The top note is a E6 or two steps above high C. For the guitar players that’s E on the first string, 12th fret in standard tuning. Don’t try it at home!
A few years before COVID, the Cincy Contemporary Art Museum featured an exhibit centered on this song and video. It was this lovely immersive experience, and it drove me to tears. His voice. This song. Those weird images. So wonderful.
I used to have to guard the family jewels if I attempted to sing along because my then boyfriend would try to help me hit THE note by putting a vice grip on my …
I think it might just be the best music video of all time. (Better than "Thriller.") Take it from a now-senior citizen: This video was waaaaaaay ahead of its time. Now we take such animation for granted, but it was ingenious then. I feel the same way about how 10cc's "I'm Not in Love" was recorded.
He holds a European record for the longest sustained note. 20+ seconds in ‘Summer Moved On’ which he also does live. These guys are very talented musicians.
Beautiful! That song always takes me back. I played their album constantly on my Walkman during my first trip to Europe. Impressive that he can still hit those high notes after all these years.
I’ve never heard this version before of my first music video all grown up. His voice is still beautiful. So many nights spent watching MTV and happy memories.
My God, what a voice!His falsetto is impeccable. I would guess that he has perfect pitch. I’ve always loved this song, but this performance is absolutely mesmerizing. Thank you so much for sharing.
This arguably shows off his range even better than the pop version, because he can settle into each note in the chorus. The song was always a showcase for vocal talent, but this version really unpacks it.
Do they know the actual artists who did the drawings? I’d assumed from the time that it was hand-drawn but that is a pretty amazing bit of trivia. Well, all the classic Disney features were hand-drawn too, so maybe not quite so amazing.
Thank you for this! I recall an interview way back about the making of the video with the actress and the director but I can’t remember if they mentioned the artists names.
Bring back pop-up video!
Yes, I agree context matters, & before its release, who knew if the damn song was even going to make any money (though I doubt those artist saw any of that cash from the mega-hit)? 🤷🏻♂️
Yeah but music in MTV was a LOT bigger back then compared to today.
MTV of 20th century vs 21st century is like NBA's Jazz of 70s vs 80s to present. Jazz were in NOLA from start until '79 when moved to Utah, but kept Jazz name anyway.
Jazz in Utah is non-existent, just like music videos on MTV.
Just watched 'Adolescence' where A-ha figured prominently in the final episode. That series is brilliant and shattering. Performances are a tour de force. "One-shot masterpiece" is spot-on.
They were my first pop concert in like 1987-ish. My mom took me and sat through several thousand screaming teenage girls like a trooper. I loved her so much for it.
All these years, I never really liked that song until I heard this version a few years ago, it's amazing. Now I've grown to like the original too, although not as much as this one.
This 2017 acoustic version is utterly stunning. The original was great but there’s something so touching & wistfully poignant about this one. I can’t even name it. Beautiful.
I bet that was magical in that venue.. I can tell you with a certainty if it sounds that good recorded it will absolutely blow your mind live.. going to go look up the sun always shines on TV now
I’ve never heard this trimmed down version of the song. It’s incredible. I can understand the lyrics better. The song has a more somber tone to it. Beautiful
I saw a-ha on a whim as I was passing by what was then the Universal Amphitheater in North Hollywood. Got cancellation seats up close. Morten Harkett sang like an angel then, as he did for this. He can really do it live - it was awesome, a great night out.
I graduated from the American School in London in 1984 and remember that it was Top of the Pops in England. I didn't know they were Norwegian. Awesome song!
Have seen some pretty amazing performances but always wondered it would be like to not just catch a favorite band or artist live, but to know the experience was immortalized in a recording that would become a part of their / your history.
This is truly one of the best songs and music video of the ‘80s, and one of my all time favorite songs! I was so shocked to learn a couple of years ago that it is a break up song! Love both versions!
Is this the MTV Unplugged album? It’s so good, and my new favorite version of a song I already loved. … And being at the Hollywood Bowl show when the whole crowd sang along to it was very special, too.
A-ha and Morten Harket were my first big music crush because of this song and video. And yet listening to this 40 years later, I’m finally learning just how wrong I sing most of the lyrics 🤣
The first time I heard this version I was absolutely floored. The song fit the lyrics. Performed this way, it transformed the exuberance of our youth into a song mourning it's passing while at the same time celebrating that it happened.
Comments
Written in 1984, "Take On Me" was the song that almost didn't make it. The band recorded it twice and was dissatisfied and nearly gave up. Record execs.. at Warner Brothers thought the song was worth giving a shot, and decided to produce a music video to help market the song
Took me back to playing arcade games.
https://youtu.be/acv1_WddLdI?si=3gyLt8LnSgTiVPkU
https://youtu.be/IrlVryGMbjk?si=kV2Q7pxXjjRpNhGJ
But many have whether “major” or not
Weezer, Ninja Sex Party, Pentatonix, etc…
Better than Freddie?
He's been posting himself doing covers of popular songs.
"Take On Me" is one of 'em.
His version of "I Will Always Love You" is fucking insane.
It's more impressive, I think, if you watch some of his stuff from his time as lead vocalist for Skid Row. Going from that to this... is just, well, again... fucking insane.
You MUST check out this cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love" (Elvis Presley) by Shawn James.
There is nothing that I can say or do to prepare you for what happens at the 3:03 mark. You have been warned.
https://youtu.be/wlTHJJX7QVU?feature=shared
If I didn’t sort my albums by genre, there would be others ahead of it, but under rock, this reigns el primo.
Thriller. Vogue. Hurt (Cash).
All masterpieces in their own way.
Jeebus.
Here’s Morten singing it live in 2010. It starts at 3:10 and goes on to 3:30.
He is 50 in this concert.
https://youtu.be/8HE9OQ4FnkQ?si=-1RMd7pnSYHFj1gU
“Band mon-TAGE”
The hole in the 7” they had was slightly offset, so the music sounded really wonky and drunken.
The DJ, (Sigbjørn Nedland IIRC) was naturally devastated by this.
I think they got a good copy of the 7” for the next radio show, a week later.
Cat Dad needs help
My badass Norge peoples. 🇳🇴😁
#TheMoreYouKnow
Bring back pop-up video!
Not sure how it was presented... "Hey, what about pencil sketches? Ya know, like flip books?"
Immediate reception:
MTV of 20th century vs 21st century is like NBA's Jazz of 70s vs 80s to present. Jazz were in NOLA from start until '79 when moved to Utah, but kept Jazz name anyway.
Jazz in Utah is non-existent, just like music videos on MTV.
I remember them playing it at the movie theatre instead of playing a trailer.
Morten Harket has a fantastic voice.
The song has a different vibe now. I tear fell down my cheek. 🥲
He has a beautiful voice.
❤️💝💙
Beautiful...
The duet with ingrid helene havik is excellent.