Daring Leap into Pop Immortality
When a-ha burst onto the global stage in the mid-1980s, the world wasn’t entirely prepared for what they had to offer. Here was a Norwegian trio – Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and Magne Furuholmen – armed with a sleek, synth-driven sound, heartbreakingly earnest lyrics, and a visual aesthetic that seemed pulled straight from a dream.
Released in June 1985, their debut album, Hunting High and Low, was more than just a flash-in-the-pan pop release – it was a bold statement of intent. As the neon lights of the MTV era flashed and fizzed, a-ha carved out a sound both dazzling and deeply human.
The Spark that Lit the Fuse
It all started with Take On Me. Though the single initially floundered on its first release, a re-recorded version, buoyed by a groundbreaking animated/live-action hybrid music video, skyrocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and found similar success across Europe. The song’s shimmering synth riff and Morten Harket’s acrobatic falsetto became instantly iconic, signaling that a-ha was here to stay.
But focusing solely on Take On Me does a disservice to the depth and elegance of Hunting High and Low. The album is a lush, meticulously crafted journey through emotional highs and lows, pairing rich sonic textures with introspective lyricism – a combination that helped define the evolving sound of 80s pop.
An Album of Many Moods
While Take On Me delivered pure pop adrenaline, tracks like The Sun Always Shines on T.V. revealed a darker, more orchestral side to the band. Dramatic and expansive, it showcased a-ha’s ability to blend synths with sweeping emotion, a skill that would become a hallmark of their career.
Train of Thought offers a moodier, more rhythmically complex experience, infused with existential musings and art-rock undertones, while the title track, Hunting High and Low, slows things down to a heartfelt ballad, wrapped in lush strings and aching vocals that stretch toward the heavens.
Songs like Love Is Reason and Living a Boy’s Adventure Tale capture a youthful optimism and restlessness, tapping into universal feelings of hope and wanderlust.
Track Listing
- Take On Me
- Train of Thought
- Hunting High and Low
- The Blue Sky
- Living a Boy’s Adventure Tale
- The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
- And You Tell Me
- Love Is Reason
- I Dream Myself Alive
- Here I Stand and Face the Rain
Each track on Hunting High and Low reflects a different facet of a-ha’s early identity: romantic yet restless, introspective yet bold, dreamy yet sharply attuned to the complexities of young adulthood.
Behind the Scenes
The album’s production history is a story in itself. Initially helmed by Tony Mansfield (known for his work with Naked Eyes and New Musik), some tracks were later reworked by Alan Tarney, who was instrumental in sharpening the band’s sound for mainstream success. With a palette of synthesizers, drum machines, and carefully layered vocals, the album exemplified the best of mid-80s pop innovation.
The trio’s commitment to their craft extended beyond the studio. Morten Harket’s vocal performance is a tour de force throughout, spanning delicate whispers to sky-high falsetto leaps, while Paul and Magne crafted melodies and arrangements that still feel vital decades later.
The Legacy
Fast forward nearly forty years, and Hunting High and Low remains a benchmark in synth-pop history. Beyond its commercial success – millions of copies sold, platinum certifications, and chart domination – it has influenced countless artists and continues to captivate new generations of listeners.
In a musical landscape often driven by fleeting trends, a-ha’s debut stands as a testament to the power of sincerity, craftsmanship, and the courage to dream big. For those who grew up with it, the album is a time capsule of youth and possibility. For new listeners, it’s an open invitation to embark on an adventure – to hunt high and low for beauty, wherever it may be found.
