In 1985, Norwegian band a-ha released “Take On Me,” a synth-pop track that not only showcased their musical talent but also revolutionized the music video industry. The song’s catchy melody, combined with Morten Harket’s impressive vocal range, captured listeners’ attention worldwide. However, it was the innovative music video, blending live-action with pencil-sketch animation through a technique called rotoscoping, that truly set the song apart. This visual storytelling complemented the song’s themes of love and adventure, leading to its massive success on platforms like MTV and solidifying its place in pop culture history.
Take On Me
Multiple Releases: “Take On Me” was initially released in 1984 but failed to chart. After re-recording and producing a new music video, the 1985 release became a global hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Innovative Music Video: The groundbreaking video, directed by Steve Barron, utilized rotoscoping, where live-action footage is traced over frame by frame to create an animated effect. This process took approximately 16 weeks to complete.
Chart Success: Upon its successful re-release, “Take On Me” topped charts worldwide, including the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.
YouTube Milestone: The official music video surpassed one billion views on YouTube in February 2020, making it one of the few songs from the 20th century to achieve this feat.
