
Morten Harket – lead vocals
Magne Furuholmen – keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
Paul Waaktaar-Savoy – guitars, vocals, songwriting
Overview:
a-ha gained global fame in the mid-1980s with their breakthrough single "Take On Me," known for its catchy melody and iconic music video featuring a blend of live action and rotoscope animation. The track topped charts around the world and became one of the most recognizable songs of the decade.
Musical Style:
The band's music is primarily rooted in synth-pop, but it also incorporates elements of new wave, pop rock, and alternative rock. Their sound evolved over the years, shifting from polished 1980s pop to more introspective and atmospheric styles in later albums.
Career Highlights:
Debut Album – "Hunting High and Low" (1985):
Featured hits like "Take On Me," "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.," and "Hunting High and Low." It was a commercial success and earned the band Grammy nominations.
Continued Success:
Follow-up albums such as Scoundrel Days (1986), Stay on These Roads (1988), and East of the Sun, West of the Moon (1990) cemented their status, especially in Europe and South America.
Bond Theme:
In 1987, a-ha recorded the theme song for the James Bond film The Living Daylights, marking a rare collaboration between a pop band and the Bond franchise.
Hiatus and Reunions:
After disbanding in 1994, the group reunited in 1998. They released several new albums including Minor Earth Major Sky (2000), Lifelines (2002), and Analogue (2005).
Farewell and Return:
In 2010, a-ha announced a farewell tour but reunited again in 2015 for Cast in Steel. In 2022, they released True North, an album accompanied by a film shot in Norway's Arctic Circle.
Band: Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket,
a-ha remains one of Norway’s most successful music exports. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide and are celebrated for their musical craftsmanship, emotional depth, and innovative visual presentation. Their influence can be seen in the works of many modern synth-pop and indie artists.
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