Norwegian pop trio a-ha, known for their iconic 1985 single ‘Take on Me,’ made a global impact with their debut album ‘Hunting High and Low.’ This album and its hit song reached the top of charts worldwide, with the animated music video boasting over two billion views. Domestically, a-ha achieved remarkable success, securing eight number one albums and two number two albums in Norway. Notable milestones include platinum certifications in Europe for ‘Scoundrel Days’ (1986) and ‘Stay on These Roads’ (1988), featuring ‘The Living Daylights,’ the theme song for a James Bond film. After a brief hiatus following ‘Memorial Beach’ in 1993, a-ha returned with a series of successful albums such as ‘Minor Earth Major Sky’ (2000), ‘Analogue’ (2005), and ‘Foot of the Mountain’ (2009), marking a synth-pop revival. Despite disbanding in 2010, the trio reunited for a tour in Brazil in 2015 and subsequently released ‘Cast in Steel’ in September, followed by ‘True North’ in 2022.
Founded in 1982 by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, along with vocalist Morten Harket, a-ha emerged from the duo Bridges to form a distinctive synth-pop group in Norway. The band’s breakthrough came with the 1985 hit ‘Take on Me,’ which underwent multiple versions before soaring to number one in the U.K. and number two in the U.S., propelled by its pioneering music video. Subsequent successes included ‘The Sun Always Shines on T.V.’ and the album ‘Hunting High and Low,’ setting the stage for a more mature sound on ‘Scoundrel Days’ in 1986. The band’s dynamic blend of romantic synth-pop and rock elements earned critical acclaim, especially with tracks like ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ and ‘Cry Wolf.’ Expanding globally, a-ha contributed to the iconic James Bond film ‘The Living Daylights’ and continued to captivate audiences with albums like ‘Memorial Beach,’ ‘Minor Earth Major Sky,’ and ‘Lifelines’ throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Throughout their illustrious career, a-ha defied genre boundaries and evolving music trends, showcasing their versatility and enduring appeal. Honored by music legends like the Everly Brothers for their rendition of ‘Crying in the Rain,’ a-ha’s discography spans a wide spectrum of styles, from dance-influenced tracks to heartfelt ballads. Their landmark releases, including ‘East of the Sun, West of the Moon’ and ‘Foot of the Mountain,’ underscore the band’s evolving sound and enduring creativity. Embracing acoustic interpretations and unconventional performances, a-ha’s MTV Unplugged session on the island of Giske in 2017 exemplified their adaptability and artistic depth. With the release of ‘True North’ in 2022, a-ha continues to push boundaries and redefine the synth-pop genre, solidifying their legacy as pioneers in the music industry.