Prepare to be captivated by a groundbreaking video that blended animation and reality, forever changing the landscape of music visuals.
The Song
"Take On Me" is an iconic synth-pop anthem by the Norwegian band A-ha. First released in 1984, the version that became a global hit was re-recorded and re-released in 1985, featuring a more polished production. The song is characterized by its driving synthesizer riff, catchy chorus, and Morten Harket's distinctive vocal range. It was written by Pål Waaktaar, Magne Furuholmen, and Harket. The track appeared on their debut studio album, Hunting High and Low.
The Artist
A-ha is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The trio consists of lead vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. While "Take On Me" remains their most globally recognized hit, the band enjoyed significant success throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in Europe. They are known for their sophisticated pop sound and visually innovative music videos.
Chart Performance
Upon its re-release in 1985, "Take On Me" became a massive international success, largely propelled by its distinctive music video. The song soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making A-ha the first Norwegian act to top the US charts. It also achieved No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the charts in their home country of Norway, among many others across Europe.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "Take On Me" is arguably as famous as the song itself, lauded for its innovative use of rotoscoping animation, which merged live-action footage with pencil-sketch animation. This pioneering technique set a new standard for music video creativity and helped cement MTV's influence as a cultural arbiter in the 1980s. The video's narrative, featuring a shy comic book character coming to life and pulling a girl into his animated world, captivated audiences worldwide. Its unique visual style significantly contributed to the song's global appeal and made A-ha household names.
Fun Facts
- The iconic rotoscoped animation in the "Take On Me" video was created by director Steve Barron and animators Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger.
- The video took approximately four months to complete, with a team of 12 animators working meticulously.
- The female lead in the video is Bunty Bailey, who was dating Morten Harket at the time.
- At the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, the video won six awards, including "Video of the Year," "Best New Artist in a Video," and "Best Concept Video."
- The total budget for the video was estimated to be around $2,000,000 (adjusted for inflation from its original 1980s budget).
- The success of the "Take On Me" video is widely credited with helping to break A-ha in the competitive American market.