a-ha - Take On Me (Germany 12") (1984)

“Take On Me” is a 1984 synth-pop song by Norwegian band a-ha.

a-ha wrote and recorded the first version of this song in 1982 with the title “Lesson One” – it had different lyrics but contained the basic keyboard riff. In 1983, the song got the attention of industry veteran Terry Slater, who becomes their manager and helps them secure a contract with Warner Bros. Records later that year.

In early 1984, they re-wrote the song as “Take On Me” and recorded it with producer Tony Mansfield. Released as a single only in Europe, it went to #3 in their native Norway, but didn’t chart anywhere else, flopping particularly hard in the UK. A video was made for this version that was remarkably undistinguished compared with the one that came after.

This is the original 1984 version of “Take On Me” released in Europe before the song became an international hit in 1985.

Tracks:

SIDE A:
Take On Me (Long Version) 3:46

SIDE B:
And You Tell Me 1:49
Stop! And Make Your Mind Up 2:58