The song features the distinctive high-pitched falsetto of lead singer Morten Harket, whose extraordinary vocal range became one of the defining characteristics of Take On Me. The instantly recognisable keyboard riff, written by Magne Furuholmen, stands as one of the most iconic synthesiser lines of the 1980s. Paul Waaktaar-Savoy’s guitar work and programming added further depth to the arrangement, blending guitar textures with the emerging synthesiser-driven pop production style of the decade.
The instrumental arrangement relied heavily on contemporary synthesisers. The track incorporated sounds from a Yamaha DX7 and a PPG Wave, while Magne Furuholmen performed the main melodic line using a Roland Juno-60. Rhythm programming was handled using a LinnDrum on the later releases of the track, with additional acoustic cymbals and hi-hat overdubbed to give the programmed drums a more natural feel.
The vocal recording process reflected the importance placed on capturing the dynamic character of Morten Harket’s voice. Engineer Alan Tarney positioned two microphones side by side, a beyerdynamic M 201 and a Neumann U47 FET, allowing the performance to be captured with both clarity and body. When the final vocal was recorded at RG Jones Studios, a valve Neumann U47 was used instead, paired with a Neve microphone preamp and Neve equaliser. Tarney later recalled that hearing Harket sing through the valve U47 for the first time revealed the remarkable purity of his voice.
To help Harket feel more comfortable during the recording, the production team arranged the large studio space so that it felt more intimate. Three large acoustic screens were placed around the singer, one directly behind him and two angled slightly inward on either side, creating a more controlled environment while he performed the lead vocal.
Reverb processing also played an important role in shaping the sound of the track. Two Lexicon reverbs are referenced in connection with the production, the Lexicon 224 and the later 224X. It remains unclear whether both units were used during the sessions or whether the 224X was mistakenly referred to simply as a 224. In any case, a Lexicon digital reverb unit was used on the lead vocal, while an AMS RMX16 provided additional reverb effects elsewhere in the mix.
What truly set Take On Me apart, however, was its groundbreaking music video directed by Steve Barron. The video combined live-action footage with pencil-sketch animation using a rotoscoping technique to create a romantic story that unfolds within a comic book world. The innovative visual style blurred the boundary between fantasy and reality and became one of the most memorable music videos of the MTV era.
Take On Me ultimately reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and became a top ten hit in numerous countries around the world. The song has since been covered, referenced, and parodied many times across film, television, and popular media, further reinforcing its enduring cultural impact.
Today, Take On Me remains one of the defining pop recordings of the 1980s, celebrated for its memorable melody, pioneering synthesiser production, and the unmistakable vocal performance that helped propel A-ha to international fame.