a-ha

a-ha, a Norwegian synth-pop band, was formed in Oslo in 1982. The trio consists of lead vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen. After forming, the group left Norway for London to pursue a career in the music industry. The band's name, a-ha, came from a note in Waaktaar's songbook; it's a universal expression of recognition and surprise.

Breakthrough and International Success

The band's major breakthrough came with their 1985 debut album, Hunting High and Low. The album's lead single, "Take On Me," initially failed to chart after its first release in 1984. However, a re-release in 1985, accompanied by a groundbreaking rotoscoped music video, propelled the song to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the UK. This made a-ha the first Norwegian band to have a number-one hit in the United States. The album also featured the hit single "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." and went on to sell over 11 million copies worldwide, achieving platinum status in the UK, US, and Germany.

Following their debut, a-ha released several successful albums, including Scoundrel Days (1986) and Stay on These Roads (1988). In 1987, they also recorded the theme song for the James Bond film, "The Living Daylights".

Hiatus and Reunions

After their fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993), did not achieve the same commercial success as previous records, the band went on hiatus in 1994. The members pursued solo projects during this time. They reunited in 1998 for a performance at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, which led to the release of their sixth album, Minor Earth Major Sky, in 2000. The band has had subsequent periods of inactivity and reunions, releasing the album Foot of the Mountain in 2009, followed by a farewell tour. However, they reunited again in 2015 for the album Cast in Steel.

Musical Style and Legacy

a-ha's music is primarily described as synth-pop and new wave. They have sold over 80 million records worldwide. The band is known for Morten Harket's distinctive soaring vocals and their blend of pop melodies with often melancholic themes. Their innovative music videos, particularly for "Take On Me," set a new standard for the medium. Artists like Coldplay have cited a-ha as a major influence.

Recent Years

In recent years, a-ha has continued to tour and record new music. They released their tenth studio album, Cast in Steel, in 2015, which was well-received. Their most recent album, True North, was released in October 2022, accompanied by a film. This project involved a collaboration with the Norwegian Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra.