Take On Me is a 1985 song. It was a huge hit not just because it was an energetic pop song but because of the animated/live-action music video, which was considered very high-tech in the 1980s.
Can it be turned into a slow song? Well, here it is…after 32 years. Gosh!
This is the 2017 acoustic version of Take On Me by a-ha. What do you think of this rendition?
This song can be found in a-ha 2017 live release “MTV Unplugged: Summer Solstice“. This is the first time in the band’s 30 year history that they have recorded an acoustic album. The Unplugged concert was filmed in Norway.
I’m not good at picking up lyrics of English songs. All I can remember of this one is the chorus. I am including the lyrics so I can follow along as I listen to the song.
Take On Me Lyrics
We're talking away I don't know what I'm to say I'll say it anyway Today's another day to find you Shying away I'll be coming for your love, okay? Take on me, (take on me) Take me on, (take on me) I'll be gone In a day or two So needless to say I'm odds and ends I'll be stumbling away Slowly learning that life is OK Say after me It's no better to be safe than sorry Take on me, (take on me) Take me on, (take on me) I'll be gone In a day or two Oh the things that you say Is it live or Just to play my worries away You're all the things I've got to remember You're shying away I'll be coming for you anyway Take on me, (take on me) Take me on, (take on me) I'll be gone In a day I'll be gone (take on me) In a day
There are so many covers on Youtube. Some are quite bad…including the version by A1. Here are some of the better ones or, at least, the ones I enjoyed.
Take On Me Acoustic Covers
The following five are slow versions and are actually quite good.
1. Moon Loungers
2. The Blanks
3. Aqualung
4. John Black (Bedroom Cover Series)
5. McGoozer
Take On Me Budget Covers
The next lot seem to be filmed on a budget but are surprisingly good.
6. Pop Punk / Rock Cover by Minority 905
This is good seeing how young the kids are.
7. Reel Big Fish – Take On Me
These guys looked like they had a blast doing this. I was smiling the whole way through the video.
8. Take On Me (a-ha) | FREE DAD VIDEOS
Not sure the dad should be singing this song with his daughter, but it is not too bad.
Take On Me on TV
9. Vincent Vinel – « Take On Me » (A-ha) | The Voice France 2017 | Live
He is fun to watch. Did he win The Voice France?
10. Anni B Sweet’s Take On Me
Ukelele covers seem to be the rage recently. This cover is sweet but too slow for me.
Instrumental Covers
11. Brooklyn Duo and Ensemble Connect
Arranged and performed LIVE on cello, piano, and with chamber ensemble by Brooklyn Duo and Ensemble Connect.
12. Take On Me arranged by Tim Waters for the marching band
According to the Hal Leonard Marching Band youtube channel:
“Norwegian group A-ha took the American pop scene by storm in 1985 when Take On Me reached #1 thanks to an appealing style and also an innovative music video featured on MTV. Perfectly suited for the marching field, this arrangement contains all the drive and energy of the original.”
I think it is quite good. Looking forward to seeing the band march to the tune.
13. Otamatone Cover
I have never heard of an otamatone. Haha! This is so fun.
The Asian Influence
14. A-ha – Take On Me (K-Pop Version) by Seo In Guk
A Korean version. A close copy of the original but not close enough. I wish they didn’t do this. It’s a bit cheesy.
15. Take On Me North Korean Style
Performed by young accordion players from KUM SONG School, filmed in Pyongyang, North Korea December 2011.
This Take On Me playlist ends with this instrumental cover by 5 students from a school in North Korea. The lead singer of aha, Morten Harket said, “you can have fun even in North Korea.“
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