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A-ha

From Alfawiki
A-ha
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1982 in Oslo, Norway
FounderPaul Waaktaar-Savoy, Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket
Headquarters
Oslo
,
Norway
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

A-ha (stylized as a-ha; ) is a synth-pop group originating from Norway, established in Oslo in 1982 by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitar, vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitar, vocals), and Morten Harket (lead singer). The band achieved global recognition during the mid-1980s.

Their first album, Hunting High and Low (1985), reached number one on Norwegian charts, climbed to second place in the UK, and secured the 15th spot on the US Billboard album rankings. It included the worldwide chart-topping hit "Take On Me" as well as "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.", which garnered them a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. This album ranked among the top-selling releases in the UK for 1986. Follow-up albums released in 1986, 1988, and 1990 produced notable tracks such as "Hunting High and Low", "The Living Daylights", "Stay on These Roads", and "Crying in the Rain". After their fifth studio project, Memorial Beach (1993), failed to meet commercial expectations, the band entered a hiatus in 1994.

After performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 1998, A-ha returned with their sixth studio release, Minor Earth Major Sky (2000), which topped charts in both Norway and Germany. This was succeeded by Lifelines (2002), Analogue (2005)—which earned Silver certification in the UK—and Foot of the Mountain (2009), also Silver-certified in the UK and reaching top-five positions across Europe.

Following their global Ending on a High Note Tour in 2010, the band disbanded but reunited five years later to launch their tenth studio album, Cast in Steel. They supported this release with a tour and appeared at Rock in Rio 2015, celebrating three decades both for themselves and the festival.

A-ha’s discography includes eleven studio albums, numerous compilations, and four live recordings. Their most recent album, True North, was released on 21 October 2022. In 2010 alone, they reportedly earned approximately 500 million Norwegian kroner from touring, merchandise sales, and a greatest hits compilation, placing them among the top 40–50 highest-grossing musical acts worldwide. They hold a record in the Guinness World Records for attracting the largest paid audience at a rock concert—198,000 attendees at Maracanã Stadium during Rock in Rio. To date, A-ha has sold over 100 million albums and singles internationally.

Formation

The group formed in 1982 with lead vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist Paul Waaktaar (then known as Pål Waaktaar), and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. They relocated from Norway to London to advance their musical ambitions. The name "A-ha" was selected after Morten discovered it written in Waaktaar's songbook, despite the original track being subpar.

They opted to record at producer-musician John Ratcliff's studio due to its possession of a Space Invaders arcade machine. Ratcliff introduced them to manager Terry Slater; both subsequently took on managerial roles within TJ Management. Ratcliff handled technical production duties while Slater managed international affairs and liaised with Warner Bros.

Hunting High and Low (1984–1986)

The song "Take On Me" originated as "Miss Eerie" during Waaktaar and Furuholmen's tenure with Bridges. Following several versions and releases, including one produced by Alan Tarney, it attained worldwide acclaim in 1985 thanks to an innovative rotoscoped music video. The track reached the top position on the US Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number two on the UK Singles Chart.

A-ha made history as the first Norwegian act to secure a number-one single in the United States. Their "Take On Me" video garnered six MTV Video Awards in 1986, including the prestigious Best Video of the Year, surpassing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in wins at that time.

The subsequent single, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.", reached number 20 on the US Hot 100 and claimed the number-one spot in the UK. Its accompanying video earned two MTV awards, increasing A-ha's total nominations to eleven and wins to eight. Despite these achievements, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." remained their final Top 40 hit in the US, contributing to their image as a one-hit wonder stateside. Nevertheless, they maintained strong popularity across Europe with tracks such as "Train of Thought" and "Hunting High and Low."

Their debut album, Hunting High and Low (1985), enjoyed international commercial success, spending several months within the top 20 of the US Billboard 200. It achieved triple platinum certification in the UK, platinum status in both the US and Germany, and gold certifications in Brazil and the Netherlands. Globally, it sold approximately 11 million copies, peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200, reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, and held the number-one position for eight weeks in Norway.

Golden age (1987–1994)

Released amid their 1986 world tour, A-ha’s sophomore album Scoundrel Days signaled a transition towards alternative rock as interest in synthpop diminished. Although it received favorable critiques and produced three international hits, its sales totaled 6.4 million copies—less than their debut—except in Switzerland where it remains their highest-selling record. The single "Cry Wolf" was their final entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The album earned platinum certifications in the UK, Switzerland, and Brazil, alongside gold status in Germany.

In May 1988, their third studio effort Stay on These Roads matched previous UK chart peaks by reaching number two and obtained platinum awards in Brazil and France as well as gold certifications across Switzerland, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. This album includes its title track featured in the James Bond film The Living Daylights, co-written by all band members who remain proud of this collaboration. Following its release, a world tour covering 74 cities supported over 4.2 million album sales worldwide.

The album East of the Sun, West of the Moon featured a rendition of The Everly Brothers’ "Crying in the Rain." During the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in Brazil and broader South America, A-ha performed sold-out stadium shows. At Rock in Rio II (1991), they attracted a record audience of 198,000 at Maracanã Stadium—recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest crowd for a rock concert—surpassing performances by George Michael and Guns N' Roses. However, limited media attention for this event was a major disappointment for the group.

This album received gold certifications in Switzerland, Brazil, and Germany along with silver status in the UK. Praised for its craftsmanship by AllMusic’s Steven McDonald, it sold approximately 3.2 million copies worldwide.

Their 1993 release Memorial Beach did not achieve commercial success comparable to earlier albums; only "Dark Is the Night" charted notably outside Norway (UK #19). Still, it was recognized by Q magazine as one of the top 50 albums of that year. In early 1994, A-ha performed at Lillehammer’s Winter Olympics and toured South Africa alongside Norway. They also composed "Shapes That Go Together," which served as the official anthem for that year’s Winter Paralympic Games.

In 1994, A-ha entered an unofficial hiatus while members focused on individual solo endeavors.

First reunion phase (1998–2007)

A-ha's revival commenced with an invitation to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 1998, where they introduced the new track "Summer Moved On", composed specifically for the occasion. Although their performance was controversially excluded from the televised highlight reels in both the UK and US, the group proceeded to record a new album, resulting in 2000's Minor Earth Major Sky. This release achieved platinum certification, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide, and featured four singles, including "Summer Moved On," which reached number one in 17 countries. The band supported the album through an international tour and a webcast event inaugurating Oslo's Vallhall Arena in 2001. Their music video for "I Wish I Cared" was among the earliest fully animated videos distributed online.

In 2001, A-ha returned once more to the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, performing "Differences" alongside "Hunting High and Low". Their 2002 album Lifelines earned platinum status in Norway and produced two top-five singles: "Forever Not Yours" and "Lifelines". The music video for "Lifelines," directed by Jesper Hiro, drew inspiration from a well-known short film by Morten Skallerud.

Following this, the live album How Can I Sleep with Your Voice in My Head was released in 2003, preceded by a live single of "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." In celebration of their 20th anniversary in 2004, A-ha released The Definitive Singles Collection 1984–2004, which reached number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and attained gold certification.

On 2 July 2005, the band performed at Berlin’s Live 8, attracting an audience close to 200,000. Technical difficulties restricted their set to just three songs. Later that year, they played their first North American concert since 1986 at Irving Plaza in New York City, selling out rapidly despite a lack of recent releases there. Their August show at Oslo's Frogner Park drew a record-breaking crowd of 120,000 attendees.

Their eighth studio album, Analogue, was released on 4 November 2005. The UK single "Analogue" became their first top-ten hit there since 1988. Graham Nash contributed guest vocals on two tracks. The single "Celice" topped national charts but attracted controversy due to its provocative video. The supporting tour included a concert in London as well as a television special broadcast across Africa.

In 2006, A-ha recorded a cover of John Lennon’s "No. 9 Dream" for Amnesty International’s Make Some Noise compilation released in 2007. On 30 October 2006, they were honored with the Q Magazine Inspiration Award recognizing their influential career. In September 2007, they performed a live-streamed concert on a floating stage in Kiel, Germany.

On 24 January 2009, A-ha received Norway’s Spellemann Award for VG-lista Hit of All Time with "Take On Me", underscoring its lasting commercial success over a quarter-century.

Fresh direction and farewell period (2008–2010)

Between 20 and 22 May 2008, Harket, Furuholmen, and Waaktaar held solo concerts in Oslo, culminating with a joint A-ha performance featuring "Train of Thought", "Take On Me", and two new songs titled "Riding the Crest" and "Shadowside", offering a preview of their forthcoming album Foot of the Mountain. This momentum led to a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 24 May. On 24 April 2009, A-ha debuted the single "Foot of the Mountain" on Norwegian radio; it had been completed just the previous night. The track is based on Furuholmen's solo piece "The Longest Night" from his album A Dot of Black in the Blue of Your Bliss. To promote its German release, they performed it during the finale of Germany's Next Topmodel at Cologne's Lanxess Arena on 21 May.

Their ninth studio album, Foot of the Mountain, launched across Europe on 19 June 2009, marked a return to synth-pop reminiscent of their early sound—although the lead single did not fully capture this style. Produced by Steve Osborne—known for his work with Suede, New Order, and U2—the album included a re-recorded version of Furuholmen’s solo track "What There Is".

Upon release, it debuted at number one on German charts, number five in the UK, and number eight on the European Album Sales Chart. By January 2010 it had achieved platinum certification in Germany. Furuholmen expressed particular admiration for Depeche Mode, whose song "A Question of Lust" A-ha covered live on BBC Radio 2’s The Dermot O'Leary Show in July that year. On 24 July they headlined the iTunes Live festival, with performances made available for download.

On 15 October 2009, A-ha announced plans to disband following their worldwide farewell tour titled Ending on a High Note Tour. Tickets sold out rapidly as fans from over forty countries gathered for what would be their final tour leg. Due to overwhelming demand, an additional farewell concert was scheduled for 3 December 2010.

Coinciding with their disbandment announcement, A-ha issued The Singles: 1984–2004 in the US alongside deluxe reissues of their first two albums plus a final compilation album, live DVD release, and a reprint of Jan Omdahl’s book The Swing of Things. Their new single "Butterfly, Butterfly" premiered on 14 June 2010 to promote the double CD compilation 25.

On 6 July 2010 deluxe editions of Hunting High and Low and Scoundrel Days were released in the US through Rhino Records, featuring remixes, B-sides, demos, and detailed liner notes. Both albums entered Billboard's Top Internet Sales Chart within its Top Forty rankings. During this period Furuholmen revealed he had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

At the 2011 Spellemannprisen, fellow Norwegian musicians paid tribute to A-ha with a cover rendition of "The Sun Always Shines on TV", after which the band received an Honorary Award acknowledging their lasting impact.

A-ha’s final concerts in Oslo were captured using ten high-definition cameras and surround sound technology. The resulting production titled Ending on a High Note Live, mixed by Toby Alington, was released across multiple formats including Blu-ray—the group's first release in this format. The single-disc live album contained sixteen songs; deluxe versions featured twenty tracks plus an accompanying documentary. NTSC versions were distributed in both US and Japanese markets.

On 1 April 2011 A-ha issued both DVD and box set editions of their final concert titled Ending on a High Note – The Final Concert, followed by a Blu-ray release on 11 April. They also performed at Oslo Spektrum on 21 August that year during a national memorial service honoring victims of the 2011 Norway attacks, presenting "Stay on These Roads".

Post-A-ha endeavors and commemorative editions (2011–2014)

After A-ha disbanded, Morten Harket pursued a solo career, releasing two albums: Out of My Hands in 2012 and Brother in 2014.

In June 2011, Waaktaar initiated the Weathervane project alongside New Jersey singer Jimmy Gnecco. Their self-titled track was included in the soundtrack for the film Headhunters, adapted from Jo Nesbø's novel Hodejegerne. Additionally, "Manmade Lake," a song originally meant for the album Foot of the Mountain, was shared on SoundCloud in 2013.

By 2012, Furuholmen had taken on a mentorship role on the Norwegian version of The Voice – Norges beste stemme, where he produced the debut album for his winning protégé, Martin Halla. Beyond this, he has gained recognition as a songwriter and producer for various artists. In 2014, he composed and oversaw the music production for the Norwegian movie Beatles.

Renewed reunion (2015–2016)

During an A-ha fan gathering in Oslo in October 2014, manager Harald Wilk revealed intentions to reissue the band’s initial five albums on vinyl, with deluxe editions planned for the third through fifth records. The band reunited in 2015 to perform at Rock in Rio and embarked on a two-year reunion period during which they created new songs. Their tenth studio album, Cast in Steel, was launched on 4 September 2015, followed by a European tour from March to May 2016. A live performance was broadcast through BBC Radio 2 and BBC Red Button as part of their "In Concert" series.

In addition, A-ha appeared at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert held in Oslo in 2015. On 3 May 2016 at Oslo Spektrum, they partnered with Norwegian computational design firm Void to present a concert featuring cutting-edge scenographic elements utilizing 360° virtual reality technology. This stereoscopic VR experience was accessible via YouTube applications on both Android and iOS platforms.

The production employed motion sensors that reacted to the band’s gestures, vocals, and instruments, combined with 3D cameras, approximately 20,000 lines of programming code, 1,000 square meters of projection material, and large-scale projectors. The visual spectacle transformed the Spektrum venue into a dynamic light installation that evolved live rather than following a predetermined sequence.

MTV Unplugged and touring activities (2017–2021)

In mid-June 2017, A-ha secretly recorded an MTV Unplugged session on Giske Island in Norway. The resulting acoustic album, Summer Solstice, was released in October 2017 and included two new compositions: "This Is Our Home" and "A Break in the Clouds." The music video for "This Is Our Home" premiered in September 2017, followed by acoustic renditions of "The Sun Always Shines on T.V," "The Living Daylights," and "Take On Me," with the latter receiving praise for its innovative reinterpretation. Early in 2018, A-ha embarked on a European acoustic tour titled the MTV Unplugged Tour 2018.

The acoustic version of "Take On Me" was featured in the 2018 movie Deadpool 2 as well as season 4, episode 13 of the American television series The Magicians. On 29 October 2019, A-ha commenced their Hunting High and Low tour in Dublin, performing their debut album entirely along with other popular tracks. Scheduled dates across Europe, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico, and the United States planned through 2020 were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this tour, they introduced a new song titled "Digital River."

On 13 June 2021, the documentary film a-ha: The Movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, documenting the band’s journey to fame, achievements, and internal struggles over four years of filming by director Thomas Robsahm. The documentary received an international release.

Additionally, the studio acoustic rendition of "Take On Me" appeared in season 8, episode 16 of the American sitcom The Goldbergs.

Touring and True North (2022–present)

After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, A-ha recommenced their Hunting High and Low tour in March 2022. On 21 October 2022, they unveiled both a new album and a film titled True North, released through Sony Music/RCA Records. The album was recorded in November 2021 alongside the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra in Bodø, Norway, and combines a live recorded performance with visual scenes from northern Norway. The lead single, "I'm In", was initially released on 8 July 2022.

Throughout their 2022 tour, the band performed songs from the album including "Forest for the Trees" and "You Have What It Takes," with early versions of these tracks previewed by Magne on social media platforms. The follow-up single, "You Have What It Takes," was issued on 16 September 2022. In 2023, Billboard placed "Take on Me" at number 26 on its list of the 500 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time, underscoring A-ha’s enduring influence within pop music.

Musical style and influences

A-ha’s sound encompasses genres such as synth-pop, new wave, pop rock, alternative rock, and mainstream pop. Their chief musical inspiration originated from the Doors, while other significant influences include ABBA, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Echo & the Bunnymen, Kraftwerk, and Roxy Music.

Following their move to London in 1982, the group immersed themselves in the UK’s synth-pop movement, drawing creative inspiration from bands like Duran Duran, the Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Soft Cell, Ultravox, and Yazoo.

Legacy

A-ha stands as Norway’s most internationally successful pop ensemble. At their commercial zenith in the mid-1980s, they achieved chart-topping success across the UK and US markets and secured strong sales in non-English-speaking territories such as Germany, France, and South America. In 1986, they earned eight awards during a single presentation at the MTV Video Music Awards. Their video for "Take On Me" is widely regarded as iconic and, as of February 2020, remains one of the rare music videos from the 1980s/1990s to have surpassed one billion views on YouTube.

Their songs have been featured in prominent television series including The Last of Us, Baywatch, and South Park. Additionally, they performed the James Bond theme "The Living Daylights". Their music has also appeared in films such as My Best Friend's Exorcism and Grosse Pointe Blank.

In 1991, A-ha set a Guinness World Record for attracting the largest paying audience at a pop concert—198,000 people gathered at Rio de Janeiro’s Estádio do Maracanã. They were honored with the Q Awards Inspiration Award in 2006. Their Rock in Rio performance from 1991 remains a standout moment for the festival, which subsequently invited them to reunite for its 30th anniversary celebration.

Several prominent musicians have acknowledged A-ha as an influence, including Chris Martin of Coldplay, Sarah Brightman, Adam Clayton of U2, Graham Nash, and Pitbull. At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, Pitbull and Christina Aguilera delivered a rendition of "Feel This Moment," which samples "Take On Me," featuring a surprise appearance by Morten Harket.

Harket and Furuholmen utilized their public profiles to advocate for plug-in electric vehicles in Norway by partnering with environmental organization Bellona to import and register a converted Fiat Panda. This effort played a role in fostering Norway’s enthusiasm for electric cars along with supportive government policies.

Awards and nominations

After achieving initial success, A-ha earned a nomination for the Grammy Award in the category of Best New Artist in 1986. The group has secured eight MTV Video Music Awards, with six awarded for "Take On Me" and two for "The Sun Always Shines on TV". Additionally, "Take On Me" received a nomination for Favorite Pop/Rock Video at the American Music Awards of 1986. The band has been honored with nine Spellemann Awards, including the prestigious Spellemann of the Year accolade in 1986.

In recognition of their impact on Norwegian music, all three band members were bestowed with Knighthood, 1st Class, of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in November 2012.

Band members

Current touring/session musicians

Discography

Tours

  • World Tour (1986–1987)
  • Stay on These Roads Tour (1988–1989)
  • East of the Sun West of the Moon Tour (1991)
  • Memorial Beach Tour (1993–1994)
  • Minor Earth Major Sky Tour (2000–2001)
  • Lifelines Tour (2002–2004)
  • Analogue Tour (2005–2007)
  • Foot of the Mountain Tour (2009)
  • Ending on a High Note Tour (2010)
  • Cast in Steel Tour (2015–2016)
  • MTV Unplugged Tour (2018)
  • Electric Summer Tour (2018)
  • An Evening with Format – Hunting High and Low Live (2019)
  • a-ha Play Hunting High and Low Live (2020–2022)

(*) Shows scheduled in Japan and Singapore were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

External links

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