Take on Me

The harmonic sophistication of 'Take on Me' lies in its avoidance of the tonic at the start of the phrase. By beginning the verse on the ii chord (Bm7) and following the circle of fifths, the song generates a propulsion that mirrors the frantic energy of the synth-pop arrangement. The bridge introduces a bVII (G major), which is a common 80s pop trope that adds a non-diatonic color before resolving back to the V chord (E) to re-establish the key of A Major for the final chorus.

The song's core riff was originally written by Magne Furuholmen when he was 15 years old for his previous band, Bridges, under the title 'The Juicy Fruit Song'. After forming a-ha, the band reworked the track through multiple iterations, including a version titled 'Lesson One', before producer Alan Tarney helped them achieve the definitive synth-pop sound that became a global hit.

Released in 1985, this Norwegian anthem became a global sensation through its innovative rotoscoped music video and driving new wave production. It stands as a definitive pillar of 80s pop culture, showcasing a rare blend of layered synthesizers and Morten Harket’s impressive vocal range.