BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“Take On Me” is a song by Norwegian synthpop band A-ha, first released in 1984. The self-composed original version was produced by Tony Mansfield and remixed by John Ratcliff. The second version was produced by Alan Tarney for the group’s debut studio album Hunting High and Low (1985). The song combines synthpop with varied instrumentation that includes acoustic guitars, keyboards, and drums.
The original “Take On Me” was recorded in 1984 and it took two versions and three releases to finally chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in October 1985. In the United States in October 1985, the song became the only A-ha song to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, due in no small part to the wide exposure on MTV of its innovative music video, directed by Steve Barron. The video features the band in a live-action pencil-sketch sequence. The video won six awards and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.
The band moved into an apartment in London and began calling on record companies and publishing houses. After a few meetings with various A&R personnel, the band signed with a publishing house called Lionheart. A-ha then returned to Norway to earn some money. When they returned to London, they left Lionheart out of frustration. They decided to record new demos, and chose the studio of musician and producer John Ratcliff, intending to re-record five songs. The band signed with Ratcliff, who in return introduced them to his manager, Terry Slater. With this encouragement, the band managed to complete some songs, including “Take On Me”. After a few meetings, Slater signed them with Warner Bros. Records.
The band met with producer Tony Mansfield, an expert in the use of the Fairlight CMI, who mixed the demos with electronic instrumentation. The sound was not what A-ha had hoped to achieve, and the album was remixed again. The band rushed to release “Take On Me” as a single in the United Kingdom but the single only charted at 137, the lowest-charted of all A-ha songs. After this, Warner Brothers’ main office in the United States decided to invest in the band and gave them the opportunity to re-record the song. Terry Slater convinced Alan Tarney to produce the new version. The song was soon completed and re-released in the United Kingdom, but the record label’s office in London gave them little support, and the single flopped for the second time.
In the United States, Warner Bros. put the group on high priority and made the move to invest significant money in a revolutionary video for “Take On Me” using the audio version produced by Tarney. The single was released in the United States a month after the music video, and immediately appeared in the Billboard Hot 100.
Magne played the main melody on a Roland Juno-60 “MIDI’d up” to a Yamaha DX7. The drum machine used on the second and third releases (rotoscoped video version) was a LinnDrum – Paul overdubbed real cymbals and hi-hat using this drum machine. Morten sang “Take On Me” using a Neumann U47 microphone as well as a Neve microphone pre-amp and Neve equalizer.
AllMusic journalist Tim DiGravina described “Take On Me” as “a new wave classic laced with rushing keyboards, made emotionally resonant thanks to Morten Harket’s touching vocal delicacy.”
In the United States “Take On Me” was not released as a domestic 12″ single only as a promotional 12″ with a unique one-sided picture sleeve.
SIDE A:
Take On Me (Long Version) 4:47
SIDE B:
Take On Me (Single Version) 3:47
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Take On Me | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1985 | Take On Me | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #4 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – PRO-A-2291
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Producer – Alan Tarney
Written-By – Mags (2), Morten Harket, Pål Waaktaar
NOTES:
Housed in a one sided picture sleeve.
“promotional copy. not for sale.” front cover
From the Warner Bros. album “Hunting High And Low”
Made in U.S.A.
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: Schiit Mani
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
Username: btg
Password: burningtheground
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Would you possibly consider re-upping this one? I obviously have several versions of this song, but I would bet your rip is better than the digital ones!
Paul, why you put from cover only (no back and labels)? Please, don’t get me wrong 😉
Thank you for share with us,
There is no back cover image for this promo.
Oh, ok. Ty
Hi Paul, as you know im a huge fan of your page and an old one hehe, the long version on this promo was released in itunes UK as the single version on a compilation from 2014. What do you know about it? Also there’s a long version that ends in 5:10
Wow, does this sound fantastic! Thank you very much, Paul, for the exquisite dive into the memory pool!
Hello Paul,
I bet you have tons of records in the queue, but I just realized there are no Alphaville songs in your directory, which is quite a pity, they had great songs and 12″.
Greets, Adam
The intro to the Long Mix is everything I love about 80s 12″ versions. What a treasure. You spoil us so!
Very detailed information. Love it.
Thanks Paul! 🙂
One of my favourite synth-based 80’s tracks. Such a powerful melody to this day. Can’t wait to hear your rip as i only ever heard this from CD format.
Thanks Paul 🙂
wow…I’ve got the european version of this 12” Check out my personal remix , bodyalive remix, on youtube 🙂
🙂 Thanks Paul !!!
Thanks, Paul. For us USA folks, this song is the epitome of 80s music…not just my opinion but from the hundreds if not thousands of references in tv shows, movies, and books from the 80s until even today. It’s too bad the sound quality on this mix is so dull. It sounds like someone turned the Treble down 10dB. I was unable to acquire the 2015 3-cd remaster release to hear if they finally improved it (like many Beach Boys and Beatles remastering efforts have done). The regular mix on the album and any/all collections is far brighter. Thank again,… Read more »
I bought the remastered deluxe box set all I can tell you is it’s louder.
Darn, what a shame. It’s strange over all the years since 1985 they didn’t capitalize on the song’s success via compilation cds or remastered sets in the 90s or various-artist comilations. It was such a smash song.
Paul, thanks for this past week of promotional singles. You spoil us so. It’s like you hold the greatest record store in the Cyber-verse and you give us the “keys” to explore and go nuts!! Because of you I’ve been able to re-build my vinyl record collection all over again. I do support the artists with physical sales, but there is so much that is ignored by the labels and they don’t go through the steps you do to insure crystal clear quality. You are phenomenally generous Paul. I’ll never be able to thank you enough, but I do appreciate… Read more »
You’re welcome Jeff it’s been a fun week with the exception of Mark Hollis passing away. I love promos especially with exclusive edits and artwork. Have a great weekend 🙂
This great song came a long way from its autumn 1982 demo called “Lesson One”. Back then the song was basically completely there, only the would-be world famous chorus “Take on me, take me up…” still had to be written and included in the song. 35 years after its 1984 realease I still love this song more than words can say. Some years ago I came across a multitrack version which I split into an accapella version, an instrumental and a sort of “stripped down – no drums” version. The latter “remix” is my favourite version of all.
Sounds excellent Song And Dance. I love it when people get creative with favorite songs.
Hey, how was your birthday? I hope it was great because you deserve it Song And Dance. Have a nice weekend!
Jeff
Hey Jeff Thank you for asking. I had specifically asked the woman of my life not to plan anything, not to invite anyone. She had said, “Ok, if that´s what you want.” As the weather was great on Saturday (unusually warm 20 degrees Celsius, blue sky, the sun shining) I wanted to spend the day only with here, take a walk and so forth. But the said “Let´s ask our friends at the end of the street whether we can drop in for a coffee.” So we went there and guess what – that woman by my side had invited… Read more »
Glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday song And Dance 🙂
I love experiences like this one Song And Dance. She sounds incredible!! I’m so happy that you had a fantastic time on your special day!
Cheers!
Jeff
Thank you so much Paul!!!
You’re welcome Guss 🙂
Thanks Paul.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂