a-ha – Hunting High And Low (UK 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1986

Happy Birthday Morten Harket!

“Hunting High and Low” is a song by the Norwegian band A-ha. It was released as the final single from the band’s debut album of the same name, in 1986.

“Hunting High and Low” was released in the summer of 1986 and became the third most successful single from Hunting High and Low on the charts and one of the band’s most recognizable and popular songs. The song didn’t chart in the U.S. but was a Top 5 hit in Britain and in Ireland.

The original album version was produced by Tony Mansfield and is played with synthesizers. For release as a single, the track was remixed, containing additional production by Alan Tarney and features an orchestra.

Coldplay, who have made their admiration of A-ha known, have been known to perform this song in concert.

The video was directed by Steve Barron, and once again utilizes animation techniques which show singer Morten Harket “morphing” into various animals (an eagle, a white shark, and a lion). In 1986, the British TV show Blue Peter featured a special documentary on the making of the “Hunting High and Low” video.

SIDE A:
Hunting High And Low (Extended Version) 6:00
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Producer [Additional Production] – Alan Tarney

SIDE B:
Hunting High And Low (Remix) 3:45
Producer – Tony Mansfield
Producer [Additional Production] – Alan Tarney

The Blue Sky (Demo Version) 3:16
Producer – a-ha

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎– W6663T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic, Pop
Style: Synth-pop

CREDITS:
Photography By – Larry Williams (9)
Written-By – Pål Waaktaar

NOTES:
Original versions available on the album “a-ha – Hunting High And Low”
Manufactured in UK

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

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Darren
Darren
May 31, 2020 12:54 pm

Hi Paul, I came across your site by accident a few years ago. Then my PC died si have been using a tablet since but it has its limitations as you can imagine. Im glad ive got the old boy up and running now and found you again at long last. I’ve only downloaded a few songs but wow this has brought back soooo many memories for me. I hit the big 50 this year and as far as parties go its not going to be the big celebration I had hoped for full of 60’s 70’s 80’s etc etc… Read more »

Jason
Jason
July 20, 2019 11:37 pm

Thank you very much Paul.

allpet66
allpet66
September 18, 2018 4:12 am

🙂

allpet66
allpet66
September 17, 2018 3:52 am

Hi Paul, thanks for this beautiful Remix. In the mp3 version there are not the artwork.
Thanks for your continuous work.

Carty
Carty
September 15, 2018 11:46 am

Anne Dudley, of The Art Of Noise fame, was responsible for the strings on the single version 🙂

marcio ama luana
marcio ama luana
September 15, 2018 7:09 am

ilove
i Love it!
Please set post
LINEAR SEND ALL MY LOVE

Joey
Joey
September 14, 2018 6:49 pm

This is a great single, the remix really surpasses the album version. The Blu Sky demo reminds me of The Associates. I think at the time A-Ha were just seen as pretty boys and that really worked against them, as music trends in top 40 were moving from new wave to more hip hop, freestyle and r&b. Their wide cinematic sound and artistic delivery was arguably really ahead of it’s time, not really suave and sexy like Duran Duran , instead of Bond, their sound would have suited the soundtack to something like the neverending story, or even the Lost… Read more »

Jermajesty
Jermajesty
September 14, 2018 5:05 pm

Fantastic Paul. It’s only in later years I realise how talented these guys were – and maybe the last ‘teeny pop’ band who actually wrote all their own stuff?? I’m not a massive fan of the semi-recent trend of ‘tender, stripped down accoustic versions of tracks, done in a way you wouldn’t expect’, but that MTV Unplugged they did which you mentioned above was really great – not least for the seemingly bizarre inclusion of Ian McCulloch for an Echo & The Bunnymen cover!! But I liked how the gig showcased how strong the songwriting, lyrics & vocals really were… Read more »

negative1
negative1
September 14, 2018 3:04 pm

hi paul, another favorite song of mine, from one of my favorite groups. yes, here in america, a-ha only had a short lifespan on the charts, and it’s too bad, because they really made a lot of good music even after their first album. i think their 2nd album didn’t do as well, and didn’t sound as commercial, and the singles didn’t help either, although cry wolf was a little bit catchy. its hard for artists to do something different, and if their audience doesn’t stay with them, then its tough for them to keep going. their 3rd album was… Read more »

Song And Dance
Song And Dance
Reply to  negative1
September 14, 2018 4:13 pm

And there is a 4-cd 30th anniversary edition with early versions, demoes, b-sides, 12inch remixes, alternative versions and so forth. More than 50 tracks. Just brilliant. Eg the afore mentioned “Lesson One” (1982 Take On Me demo), Take On Me 1984 version 7″ and 12″, Take On Me 1985 version 7″ and 12″. Tons of gems. The Train Of Thought dub mix you mentioned, and and and…. As you mentioned their second album “Scoundrel Days” which was a commercial disappointment: this is by far my favourite A-ha album. Always worth listening to. Three great singles (Manhattan Skyline, Cry Wolf, I´ve… Read more »

Grant
Grant
September 14, 2018 2:42 pm

Wow – thanks for this, especially the demo on the B-Side!

CL
CL
September 14, 2018 2:22 pm

🙂 🙂 🙂

Jeff
Jeff
September 14, 2018 1:05 pm

I love being immersed in such brilliant music Paul. I get so choked up because of all your generosity. I so appreciate you and the selections are always perfect and amazing. Many, many…..MANY THANKS!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jeff

Song And Dance
Song And Dance
September 14, 2018 12:32 pm

A wonderful song from a wonderful first album. A-ha were so huge in Germany. Well, worldwide really. Funny they had so much trouble hitting the charts with their first single “Take On Me” which was originally called “Lesson One”. Three strikes and then they hit the jackpot. Back then I waited for a second 12inch of HHAL which I hoped to include a more interesting version of the song, maybe a dance mix like the “Forever Young” dance mix by German pop group Alphaville. The single version a ballad, the 12inch mix a dance remix. That might have worked with… Read more »

Jermajesty
Jermajesty
Reply to  DjPaulT
September 14, 2018 4:51 pm

Did their Bond theme not have any impact? 😮

Omar
Omar
September 14, 2018 12:24 pm

One of their best singles. Thanks Paul. The 7” is better than the LP version too.