Hear the parts of a-ha’s “Take On Me” on their own, including the famous synth riff by keyboardist Magne Furuholmen and Morten Harket’s soaring vocal. The song is from the Norwegian band’s debut album Hunting High and Low (1985) and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
DRUMS (PROGRAMMING: Magne Furuholmen):
KEYBOARDS (Magne Furuholmen):
What to listen for
- The riff. The keyboard hook is a fast, bright synth line. Isolated, you can follow every note.
- Harket’s range. The chorus climbs to one of the most famous high notes in pop.
- Drum machine and synth bass. The rhythm section is electronic, which gives the song its tight, bouncy feel.
Track facts
- Album: Hunting High and Low (1985)
- Band: Morten Harket (vocals), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards), Pål Waaktaar-Savoy (guitar)
- Hit version produced by: Alan Tarney (the song was recorded and released more than once before it became a hit)
- Video: the pencil-sketch animation, directed by Steve Barron, is one of the most famous music videos ever made.
FAQ
Who played the keyboard riff on Take On Me?
a-ha keyboardist Magne Furuholmen.
Was Take On Me a number one?
Yes, it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.
Ty for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I love this website so much!
Editor note: Thanks much and tell your friends to visit!
This website is pretty amazing! I look forward to exploring it further.
Editor note: Thanks for the props and for visiting! We have a great time here listening to all this stuff ourselves…