"A-ha" is a Norwegian synth-pop band that gained international fame with their hit song "Take On Me," released in 1985. Here are some interesting facts about the song and the band:
Breakthrough Success: "Take On Me" is A-ha's most successful and well-known song. It topped the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
Innovative Music Video: The music video for "Take On Me" is highly acclaimed and is considered one of the most innovative and iconic music videos of the 1980s. It combines live-action with pencil-sketch animation, a technique called rotoscoping. The video won several awards, including six MTV Video Music Awards in 1986.
Rotoscoping Technique: The rotoscoping technique used in the video required each frame to be individually drawn over the live-action footage. This painstaking process contributed to the video's unique and memorable visual style.
Comic Book Connection: The music video tells a love story between a young woman and a comic book character who comes to life. The comic book scenes were inspired by the work of artist Mike Nesbitt.
Record-breaking Chart Performance: "Take On Me" made history as the first video by a Norwegian artist to reach one billion views on YouTube. This milestone was achieved in 2018, more than three decades after the song's release.
Debut Album Success: The song was originally released in 1984 but did not achieve significant success until it was re-released in 1985 after being re-recorded. The re-released version was part of their debut album "Hunting High and Low," which also includes other popular tracks like "The Sun Always Shines on T.V."
Continued Success: While "Take On Me" is undoubtedly their most famous song, A-ha had continued success with other albums and singles throughout the 1980s and beyond. They released numerous albums, and their music evolved over the years.
Breakup and Reunion: A-ha experienced a breakup in 2010 but reunited in 2015. They continued to tour and create music after reuniting.
These facts highlight the impact of "Take On Me" and its enduring popularity over the years. The song remains a classic in the synth-pop genre, and A-ha's innovative approach to both music and visuals in the 1980s has left a lasting legacy.