Who doesn't know A-Ha? That Norwegian synth-pop band that brought us 80s anthems like Take on Me, The Sun Always Shines on TV, and of course, the classic, The Summers of Love? While it's hard not to wax nostalgic about their catchy hooks and memorably synthesized soundscape, at some point even we 80s music fans must admit: A-Ha was kind of corny. In this blog post we'll take a playful dive into just why one might liken many of A-Ha's songs and lyrics to nothing more than cheese. Hold onto your shoulder pads people: you're in for quite a ride!
If you were alive in the 80s, chances are you've belted out the lyrics to A-Ha's Take On Me at least once. The Norwegian band, composed of Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, and Pål Waaktaar-Savoy, was a staple of the decade's synth-pop scene. They were known for their catchy hooks, poppy melodies, and, of course, frontman Morten Harket's angelic falsetto. But let's face it: for all their musical prowess, A-Ha was kind of cheesy. In this blog post, we'll explore just why that is, and why we still love them anyway.
First on the list of A-Ha's corniness is their lyrics. Take the opening verse of The Sun Always Shines on TV, for example: Touch me/how can it be/believe me/the sun always shines on TV. It's hard not to cringe a little at the super-saccharine sentimentality of lines like these. And let's not forget The Summers of Love, with its oh-so-clever wordplay (...but where are you now, summer of love?/where are you now that I need you most?). It's cheesy to the max, but somehow, it just works.
Another factor contributing to A-Ha's cheesiness is their music videos. The most iconic of these, of course, is Take On Me, which features a comic-book-inspired storyline and animation that was groundbreaking for its time. But let's be real: the sight of Morten Harket jumping out of a comic book and into the arms of a damsel in distress is pretty darn cheesy. This is a band that knows how to milk a good visual gimmick, whether it's Morten's flowing hair or Magne's love for quirky hats.
Then there are A-Ha's live performances. While the band maintains a dedicated fanbase to this day, it's hard not to cringe a little at their on-stage antics. Morten, in particular, is known for some pretty dramatic moves, like the infamous microphone swing seen in the Take On Me music video. But there's something endearing about his over-the-top performance style - maybe it's the fact that he takes himself just seriously enough.
Of course, we can't talk about A-Ha's corniness without mentioning their fashion sense. The band's signature look was a mix of new wave and 80s glam: think skinny ties, leather jackets, and spiky hair. Morten's flowing locks and angular cheekbones made him the object of many a teenage girl's affection, but looking back, it's hard not to chuckle at the sheer flamboyance of it all. And let's not forget the cultural appropriation on display in the Hunting High and Low music video, where the band dons Native American-inspired headdresses and costumes.
In conclusion, A-Ha may have been corny, but they were also undeniably talented musicians who left an indelible mark on the 80s pop landscape. We may chuckle at their lyrics, their fashion sense, and their on-stage antics, but there's no denying the infectiousness of their music. After all, who can resist belting out Take On Me at the top of their lungs? Cheesy or not, A-Ha will always hold a special place in our hearts.
