a-ha on Q TV

[@rsmandskm1]

The most intelligent interview I have ever seen of “ pop stars”. All 3 gentlemen are very intelligent and well spoken, especially for men whose primary language is not English. Most other interviews of current popular music persons are either incoherent or totally self serving.

[@belzw3889]

Although they all seemed a bit guarded throughout the interview, it's one of the most detail-oriented interviews I've ever heard. Wonderful to hear how they came to be, learn about Morten's Priesthood Studies, observe their immense combined intellect, and humility. An avid fan can only appreciate them and their memorable music even more, knowing that the music featured most prominently above all else, including money, fame & looks. ❤ #80sMusic

[@Sammy-ii9ej]

All these three gorgeous men have phenomenal voices!

[@MarthaStout0202]

There ARE people in the U.S. that love you! You are my favorite band!

[@ijor808]

Finally, after 25 years, an intelligent interview with a-ha. Thank you Mr. Gomeshi and the Q crew! :)

[@poppyorsini5505]

yes thanks for posting this

[@daniloferreira6970]

The interview is amazing, but holy christ...Mags dont let Morten speak! Boring guy!

[@3itsme144]

@@daniloferreira6970 Morten usually talks almost in all a-ha interview ,it's so rare to see mags and pål talking on it 🦦(sorry my English is so bad )

[@paolac6640]

@@daniloferreira6970 em contraponto , Pål quase não abre a boca 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@shelld1261]

@@3itsme144 Really? Most interview I have seen, Magne does most of the talking. Morten talks a bit and Pål might talk a little bit. Are you Norwegian? I have heard that Morten can talk a lot with Norwegian interviews when he gets to be philosophical. I personally have never seen him talk much in interviews.

[@NewWaveDivers]

Mags: "I will miss those rare moments in our career where, through the efforts of all of us, our joint input, something magical happened and we stopped being the three of us and we were a-ha... those creative moments that lit up the collaboration and made something lasting."

[@5brosn1chick]

+Debbie เด็บบี That is beautiful, isn't it? And that is the artists temperament that they all have--the ability to express themselves in a deep and meaningful way.

[@sashasiregar1238]

The fact that his voice is breaking almost made me cry :')

[@shelld1261]

@@sashasiregar1238 I was tearing up myself. It was very beautiful.

[@franciscocilloniz4216]

Sensibility, arts and crafts, spirituality, light .. ¡ 🦂🌙🌌

[@collectivesartori]

Stunning and insightful comment from Mags.

[@forevernotyours9277]

A great interview starts with a knowledgable interviewer knowing their interviewee. This was nice to watch.

[@TheTrueKailash]

they are so much more than 'take on me' as alluded to here. took me a while to realise it but so glad i explored them further. and so glad they are still around!

[@shelld1261]

Amen, me too

[@jamesmarsh4957]

i agree much more than Take on me , there words in other songs are amazing and the song writing

[@sanjayarman]

I have been a lifelong fan of Morten Harket, and so proud that all 3 band members were Knighted with the 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for their tremendous artistic achievements. As a teenager, I sang, “...And You Tell Me”, for my audition for the local Alaskan opera production of “Camelot”. “The Sun Always Shines On T.V.” was their best masterpiece, in my humble opinion. The instrumental version was the theme music for my own Wedding. My favorite band of all time, and the same for my Dear Son, Sanjay Arman Kumar II . Best Wishes to their futures: ~ Dr. Sanjay Kumar

[@skyelark155]

Lovely story ❤

[@sisselhansen3915]

Dr. Sanjay Kumar!! I agree, that "The Sun Always Shines On TV" is a great song... But without "Take On Me", do you think they would have had that incredible brake-through which they had??

[@bevmordek5968]

Tale onme is my favorite song for years . I so much enjoyed listening to this interview. I'm 77 year old granny from northwest Canada 🇨🇦. And I like A-ha So much more than most bands

[@raygunromance772]

Brilliant interview with one of the most underrated bands ever.

[@camillakongsberg1864]

What underrated?! ALl the high-school Girls in Norway screamed at the same time!!

[@plm30]

What a great interview. Finally someone who respects their intelligence. Thanks for posting it, I really enjoyed it.

[@user39h2j8il]

I have thought about this a lot. Im forever grateful that a-ha based themselves and concentrated themselves, in Europe, notably England. The thought of their music being influenced by American pop culture is too alarming and depressing for me. They would not be the a-ha we know and love if that had happened. The interviewer here is great, quick and a good match for the guys' wit.

[@scandinordic]

yes, same here. Pål knew *his* future was in America and it has served him well. The others knew it was not their personal path. They are all very in touch with their intuition. E.g. with The Juicy Fruit Song which became Take On Me, they knew even with 3 false starts it was destined to be a hit and Morten recognised its future the moment he heard it.

[@squirleyspitmonkey3926]

YOU GUISE AMERIKA BAD GIB UPVOTE

[@shelld1261]

@@scandinordic kzbin.info/www/bejne/gma7dWl-adVjkJY I found this video and it is very melancholy to me. I wonder if their younger selves would be disappointed with what the future brought them. It feels like it from the latest documentary. I feel also that they changed back more to this poppy version and use mostly Morten’s high key/falsetto voice after Analog. Also, it feels that they used the object stuff more starting with Memorial Beach. In the “Dark as the Night” video, the original one made sense. It seemed to be representing them wanting to break free of the binds from the music industry. The one that aired in most places was more like a Playgirl video. Mage and Pål with shirts open all the way and many bare chest shots. Morten with a ton of bare chest and crotch shots, posing like a pin up. The cover of Memorial Beach is the three of them on a beach. Morten in a leather jacket, Pål and Magne with shirts. All open exposing their bare chests. Very Chippendale Dancer-like. Morten went on his own, had some photos like that and to this day, still reminds me more of a GQ model. Even some concerts with him in tight leather pants, shirts open all the way, just a vest and his bare chest. Bugs the HELL out of me for it should be about that voice, that amazing voice of his as well as the phenomenal talents that him, Magne, and Pål have. Not about how hot Morten can look or for women to ogle him.😡 America has nothing to do with this change back here, they still did change, IMHO I feel that they seem to cater to fans who are more about that poppy stuff, Morten’s high voice, and Morten looking like a GQ pin up then to the ones who love the Bluesy, Deeper, darker, 60’s/70’s vibe with Morten’s deep and gravelly voice and want the three of them to look genuine. (This is the version I like and I AM an American, thank you !😉) So to me, they still changed and aren’t really themselves. Since they were more popular outside of America, that blame can be put on fans, media, and the music industry around the world. IMHO

[@sisselhansen3915]

Hehehe, don't let anything put you down, dear!

[@victoriasmalikova6229]

​@@scandinordicwhat future are you talking about? Paul has no career in America

[@danielbrown1724]

Scoundrel Days is a masterpiece, their best ever IMO.

[@skyelark155]

Absolutely agree.... their greatest album ever

[@Stefandejager01]

'Cast In Steel' turned out to be my favourite album. 'Summer Moved On' my favourite song ...

[@sonicfoxxmusic4281]

LOOKING FOR THE WHALES.............earworm...beautiful song..as is LIVING A BOYS ADVENTURE TALE(on their first album). That intro from Morten's vocal is mind-blowing. The first word out of my mouth was "WOW!!!!". Went to see them at Shepton Mallet(ENGLAND) a few years back(sneaked around the rear of the venue and say the guys warming up..we stayed quiet(Morten seem to know we were there and just smiled) ...stunning band "live". Inspiration for my own songwriting..and recently releasing a complete song and singing it...GHOSTED by THE CRUE. Purely a studio band song...unless demand arrives.

[@scottbelcher9026]

Agreed!!! ❤️

[@shelld1261]

They have so many! I do love Scoundrel Days. I think my absolute favorite is East of the Sun. I love everyone’s sounds. I love love love Morten’s lower and sometimes gravelly voice! I do love Minor Earth and Major Sky too.

[@Ireneharnack1138]

I'm in Southern Oregon, USA and my door is always open for A-Ha!

[@samundoko]

I've always been a fan of a-ha since the 80s. I will be seeing them live for the 1st time in Singapore in 2020 and I am just grateful to see this interview pop up on my suggested videos. It's nice to learn about the band's early years and what they had to go through in the course of their career. This is probably one of the best (if not the best) interviews they had. The host handled the interview intelligently, as is fitting for intelligent artists that are, Morten, Mags and Pal. Thanks for sharing this video. 👌🏻

[@clara732]

Not having the opportunity to see A-Ha or hear their music during their years together in the US, the only way I can watch A-Ha is on KZbin years later. Its wonderful to see an interviewer that treats Paul, Mags and Morten as intelligent people they are and not like the idiot from the 2013 Billboard music awards interview with Morten. He was horrible but Morten was gracious. It's a shame the US miss out on these fellows. It is our loss. Best wishes in all their endeavors. Clara from KY

[@lindaw.5836]

What an amazing interview. Such a very fluid, respectful presenter. I've listened to this many times over the years and every time i watch this I pick up on a better perspective of each of these guys points of view (if that makes sense!). These guys characters seem to murdge together to create something special even in interviews! Love this. **AND in 2020/2021 they ARE back together for the Hunting High and Low Tour!!!**😍😘❤️💕

[@sisselhansen3915]

Yes, and their honesty & intelligence bring them to a higher level... "Get the priest,,,", like Ragnar Lodbrock got Adelstahn...😂😂😂🇧🇻❤️😍😍😘😘🥰The Strength in a Triangle 🔛🔼🎼🎶 The NOW.

[@tommynickels4570]

Excellent interview. The three worked well together, but I get the sense they have more of a professional relationship as opposed to friendship. No one said they would miss working with one another. They certainly gave the world some beautiful music that continues to live on.

[@kentxx12]

a-ha is still going strong in the year 2020

[@ahkkariq7406]

Two years later, 2022, and a new album coming next week. Can't wait. What a treasure these guys have given us all.

[@sisselhansen3915]

Also now, in 2023!

[@damian-795]

@@sisselhansen3915 Thank God

[@ScotsGal]

Been a fan of these guys since take on me.....the most underrated band in the world....they just did not get the support they deserved from record companies ...the lay person think that they broke up and got back together later...these guys never stopped they've been making music the whole time .east of the sun west of the moon ..memorial beach ..life lines to name a few ..its a tragedy they dont get the recognition they deserve

[@stayontheseroads]

Great stuff. An extremely thought provoking trio - very difficult to interview, but immensley interesting as a result. Best Live band ever, Best band ever, their music will live forever. Though there's never a forever thing........................

[@sisselhansen3915]

Maybe Life really is an eternal thing 🤔 I only know that I don't know ANYTHING. OH, Morten, yes; it IS a question of Balance ⚖️

[@mariaefigeniabitencourtteo4655]

​@@sisselhansen3915😊

[@mariacullen2285]

Thay. Still. Look. Young. Thay. Are. Very intelligent. To. I. Loved. There. Music. It. Was. Great. Please. Don't. Brake. Up. I. Got. A. Feeling. Your. Got. More. To. Do. Cas. Your. Very. Artistic. And. Still. All. Good. Looking

[@WaltFortythree]

Been a fan since I was a teenager and this thorough interview has just made me love them even more. I thought Mags was a little glassy-eyed in his closing comments, which I like to think summed up more honestly how they all feel about bringing a-ha to a close. For my part, I'll miss the music that only the three of them together can make.

[@stevenlucas1880]

Great interview man. They where genuinely interested in what you had to say. Unlike many other interviews I've watched.

[@LeNaInLoVe]

Thnx for this wonderful interview. all of a sudden it pop'd up in my feed... 12 yrs + after. 🤔😆 Looking at Magne today, it dawn on me that his looks, has always been an ultimate way a man should look in my eyes, He's extremely good looking, he has a beautiful smile and being. And his witty comments and fast counters. Did you guys know he's a well reknown artist/painter. Watching this interview, I see things I haven't seen before. The members of A-Ha was probably too good looking to get really acknowledged amongs their peers in the music industry. Perfect trio, and they've aged like fine wine. 💖✨✨ Proud to be Norwegian.

[@bishopaz]

I became a fan just recently. The best interview. A very unique group. Thank goodness they did come back. Damn covid!!!

[@scandinordic]

What a fantastic interview, very intuitive and sensitive. Thanks!

[@Lightmass1]

This is one of the best interviews with A-ha i have heard/seen...... .

[@mistersurrealist]

New album coming in 2022. 😀 They're just too good as a band to be apart.

[@stephanelarocque77]

This is the best interview I've heard with A-ha!! Happy that it has been made in Canada. I was worried that they didn't came to Montreal but It gave me the occasion to go to New York one more time to see their show 2 days in a row :).

[@tanjagiljevic7854]

Pal is so funny! "The Doors" were taken, so we were, "The Bridges". Mags is really articulate! Morten is very cryptic, as always. I wished that The Everly Brothers cover('91)relaunched them in North America.

[@loveismyair]

hi Canadians.... so glad for you that the guys Listened and headed north to ya! I am a fan in Asia with no chance to see my fave band live and can only wave goodbye to them from afar :'( I hope you all have the Best time with Morten Mags and Paul... long may they reign in our hearts and minds... cheers!

[@sashasiregar1238]

This is a great interview. Enjoyed every questions and answers, and Mags' answer on the last question is a perfect way to end it. It was beautifully-said and can hear that his voice is breaking, like any second longer he would've had tears in his eyes :')

[@aljory74]

What an amazing interview,really interesting and funny,too 😀The best part is of course that they got back together again since 😀

[@theouterplanet]

little did they know....they came back again with CAST IN STEEL....and even now....still touring.....

[@rebeccajelenawang4306]

I think they might had an idea...🤔

[@lillydurbin2228]

I keep playing this interview over an over again to try to understand how they will never make music together again. It makes me so sad because their music had such meaning. They are greatly missed i know. I will love them forever an never forget them.MAY GOD BLESS THEM FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE,WONDERFUL ARTISTS.

[@Cta2006]

+Lilly Durbin Just in case anyone has'nt heard: PRESS RELEASE A-HA TO RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM AND RIO SPECTACULAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2015 AND INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES FOR 2016 Following on from the announcement that legendary Norwegian band a-ha are to reform to play the 30th anniversary Rock in Rio music festival, the band are delighted to announce the release of a brand new studio album this autumn, with international tour dates to follow in 2016. The new album, Cast In Steel, will be the band’s tenth studio album, and the first new music by the group since the critical and commercial success of 2009’s Foot of the Mountain. Cast In Steel will be released on 4th September 2015, three weeks before the band return to play the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil, and thirty years since their debut single, Take on Me, reached number one around the world. a-ha.com/

[@shauntaylor7778]

Just seen this interview , several years after the recording. One of the best a-ha interviews I've ever seen. Thankyou so much for this 💓

[@sushigirl1069]

Love these guys, saw them play at the Manchester🇬🇧arena, Cast in steel tour 2016❤. UK is their second home 🇳🇴

[@solaron99]

I saw a-ha at the Verdun Auditorium in Montreal in the early 90's...their music will remain in my music library always.

[@andreabortelli3101]

In this interview, I can see that Morten is the most straightforward of the three, and I like that. Magne is being merely diplomatic. The fact is they were indeed quite young and naive when they first started out and weren’t deep in the trenches with the significant occult rituals and agendas they had to espouse to sustain their success in the US. They did get the grips of it progressively in their careers though.

[@danalacy3283]

Interesting.. I wondered about that. How do you know?

[@stevepafford5501]

Thanks for sharing this. I've included it in my write up of the band stevepafford.com/norway/

[@ahkkariq7406]

Interesting that you mention it. I have long suspected that the reason for a-ha's lack of success in the United States was precisely that they were not willing to participate in any of these things. I wonder if we ever will get that confirmed.

[@paolac6640]

Andrea , pode explicar mais sobre isso ? Por favor Quais as provas disso ? Por gentileza

[@sarahm.5356]

Paolo, Andrea knows nothing.

[@spectrumlocalb191]

I have been friends with Morten since there very first U.S. appearance on The Mike Douglas Show.My aunt Dottie was Mike's Liason with Group W and introduced me to Morten.When we started talking we found we had so many similarities that a 31 year friendship was born even though it's an intercontinental friendship.A better friend I could never have hoped for and pretty sure he feels the same way.The whole U.S. not accepting them on a permanent basis I don't always understand when you look at someone like Madonna who just kept going and these guys had that same power but it just did not happen.I must say a very good interview, one of the best if not the best Ive,seen on my friends here. Love ya Morty.

[@renuhazari544]

😱😱😱😱😱i wont be able to meet him or see himm..but as u said u knw him ill tell u that i love him like crazy ...i mean look at morten..i feel like norwag has given us this prettiest gift possibly can..just love him..im 25 years old..and ill for sure cry and pass out if i get to see him....ughh i just cnt stop...does he look same live as well..it must have been paradise for u...he is sooo humble shy cute hot beautiful.......................

[@Vikki-Waiting-victoriagrace]

spectrumlocalb191 so pass on my number yes? Hahaha Sorry just my humor, its great to hear someone saying something like those about Morten i have read mean comments about him being arrogant, but from what I’ve seen , obviously on tv only he has always seemed intelligent and genuine , a nice man; thanks for sharing x

[@florencecavallaro4599]

how come he cant stay married?

[@bobbie3359]

Velvet-Vikki -Waiting Morten has the kindest smile

[@bobbie3359]

florence cavallaro I guess it comes with the territory/nature of their job 😔

[@innit1407]

Found the MTV unplugged session they did in 2017 or 18.... excellent. Great band, great talent.

[@shelld1261]

I love that too ❤️

[@Phill_Thomas]

They're back! Their new album called Cast In Steel will be released on September 4th 2015

[@bobbie3359]

And!!! .... another world tour which is unfortunately interrupted due to covid. Hope to catch them in Japan in January 2021!! 🤞

[@interestingfact5771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX6Vi3dnf9V1aKc

[@ahkkariq7406]

And next week another album is out, True North, October 21. 2022.

[@MissPerriwinkle]

they answer questions with such deep thought and analytic responses.....amusing & sweet.

[@soundscapenyc]

wow-these guys look great. time has treated them well.

[@ideas5663]

They are respectful and make very decent respectful music.

[@MKPiatkowski]

So glad you filmed this. The visuals added so much to the interview - and it's an awesome interview!

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

This is the first time I’m seeing this interview. I love all their catalog. Including their now 10th album “Cast in Steel” I saw them in 1988 June 16 Frankfurt Germany. I and my best friend decided to take keyboard lessons.

[@comundson]

Awesome Interview of all 3..I can honestly say, all three got me to understand why they were never a huge hit in the US (sucks for the ones that loved them here)...but I now understand why and thanks for sharing this - hearing them on the radio the first time in '85, I've always loved their music. Besides their songs, I love watching and listening to them talk...they seem really cool and down to earth =)

[@sunnymystery3]

Yay! So happy to be able to watch this amazing interview here in the U.S.

[@twstdelf]

Nice interview, great band. Curious to see what their solo projects might yield.

[@pliedtka]

Frankly I miss Q with Jian. Whatever the story behind him being kicked out from CBC, he made mornings with CBC Radio 1 worthwhile. Same goes others, say Tim Tamashiro jazz evenings.

[@Norwaynumber1]

Lol. We needed to go back and get the priest

[@shelld1261]

😂🤣

[@club1fan552]

Of course they were going to attract young girls. You had 3 young good looking men and Morten out front smiling and wiggling his hips combined with one of the most catchy tunes in the history of pop. The beautiful use of English that Scandinavians have is always incredible. Brilliant interview!

[@shelld1261]

It was a shame that they turned Morten into an object and made them more into a girl band. It could have been different. Yes, they still would have been good looking, but they didn’t have to use Morten as a sex object. Ever seen the “Dark as the Night” video? Not the banned one, but the one they aired? The banned one was actually artsy and made sense. It was about them wanting to break free of the images that bound them. Even had a great part with showing real Morten trying to break out of the music industry Image of Morten. That was banned. What did we get instead? Pretty much a Playgirl video with mostly shots of Morten’s crotch, bare chest, and stupid pin up poses. A few seconds of shots of Mags and Pål with shirts open to their belly buttons. The cover of that album? Memorial Beach? Three of them on a Beach, Morten with a leather jacket and bare chest, Mags and Pål with open shirts showing bare chests. Like they are Chippendale dancers. It is so cringeworthy, sad, and disturbing to me. I took a marker and gave them all shirts! 😂 There’s an album if Morten’s where the cover is him swimming, I think? They just have his outline, coming out of the water. Ick… I tore that off. Found a photo of him inside, fully clothed and with his guitar. I put that in it’s place. That’s better. I so hate it! They are so much better than that! They are three phenomenally talented individuals who created magic with A-ha. It is sad that people think of them in any other way. 😞 Watch A-ha, the documentary. Watch how a female reporter interviewing Morten told him to take his top off! Watch him in the car, on the way to a concert to meet fans, not wanting to get out of the car. He keeps talking about the quiet. You can feel how it takes every single bit if energy in his body to try to get out of that car. It is absolutely awful to witness, if you have any empathy. Magne tries to belittle it, but it truly messed up Morten as well as cuasss issues for Magne and Pål. This should be taken as a lesson. It’s not okay to treat people like objects. I mean, if they are adults and giving full consent working some form of job in the sex industry, another story. But here, they should have been promoted with their talents. IMHO

[@club1fan552]

@@shelld1261 I take your point. I did see the movie about them and they all seemed a bit damaged. I've been listening to their second album, Scoundrel Days a lot recently. So many clever elements like nothing I have ever heard. Brilliant album. Yes they could never shake the teeny bopper image but then again, that probably bought them sales...

[@shelld1261]

@@club1fan552 Thank you for acknowledging there was a problem. I appreciate that. ✌🏽❤️😊 I love the songs on Scoundrel Days and am in LOVE with the Album, East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Have you ever seen this concert? kzbin.info/aero/PLTSwCo3KpmPqtxReoRYwxeUB57T-AFOfe It has songs from both. This is my favorite of all the concerts I have found on KZbin. If I was able to see any of their concerts throughout history, I would go back in time to see this! Nobody’s dressed sexy, nobody has perfect hair, nobody’s dressed like GQ model. They all just look genuine. The camera time is equal between all three of them and showcasing their phenomenal talents, not looks. The songs they are playing seem like the real them, IMHO, and they are all so getting into it. I think I fell in Love with them after my first listen to the Minor Earth Major sky album. Especially Summer Moved On. All just because of their musical talent. This concert though, they are REALLY hot to me because of their talents. It shows through so well without all the sexy clothing distractions. I always hate when they have the girl band/sexy clothes and Morten’s posing pin up style. I just want to say them, “Hey, hey! I came to watch and listen to your true talents! I didn’t come to ogle you! Can we put some other clothes on and you stop posing? You’re all better than this! If I wanted to ogle men, I’d go to a strip club. Thank you! “ 😂 It is true that they probably made a killing off of fans that are their to ogle Morten for sure. Also a ton of money from the fans that want nothing but the Take on Me kind of sound and Morten’s falsetto. Sucks for the rest of us who love their talent and when they are genuine. They do like to cater more to the first two groups.😞

[@anaoliva5548]

@@shelld1261 I didn't know there was another version of 'Dark is the Night' than what we see as the 'official'. I also didn't understand why a song that to me sounded like such a deep message of encouragement exposes Morten in a way as if he were a male escort.

[@shelld1261]

@@anaoliva5548 Ha! Great! You nailed it! Sweet! It is so rare to hear this view! I just see so many comments of people drooling over Morten and very few actually questioning what the heck is happening in the video! Thank you! It is good to not feel crazy. Here is the original and it does make more sense… kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3bComOQrJ6AZ6M I have read it was banned for being “too graphic”. They still show off all of their bare chests, but it is more artsy and has a message. Not a message of Morten being a Playgirl model and Magne and Pål as eye candy though. (Like the official video). I so hate the official video. I hate anytime Morten is the sex object. I just want to button up his shirts or put a shirt on him. Then say “Morten! You’re better than this! You’re a very talented and intelligent man. People should be here to watch and hear you sing. If they want to see half naked men, they can go to a strip club!”. I sound like his mother though, huh? 😂

[@michelpage9198]

America is the fastest market on the planet with the attention span of a gnat. Must grab it while it’s hot and quite frankly after Take On Me was released - it was on to the next best thing and that’s how America rolls. Personally I thought the bank fell off the planet got old tired and retired. Was happy to see them still around and quite intelligent as well.

[@Norwaynumber1]

I’m surprised the US didn’t like A-ha. They made so many great songs.

[@missysmith2830]

It's not that they aren't liked here or they don't have a US fanbase that love, support and appreciate them because WE DO!! Unfortunately, it's more to do with US music industry and its politics. Some arrogant executives decide who and what they promote and get airplay! In my opinion ...and for lack of better analogies...maybe they didn't play some game right or follow the rules or boxes by the opinions/ perceptions of those people "in power". Even they somewhat elude to it in this interview without saying it point blank. For whatever reason I have heard about the difficulties of the US music industry for any artists/groups that are not based from here. They found a tremendous amount of worldwide success! Fortunately their unrealized potential in the US didn't consume them or define their career. Thankfully I and many others now have the opportunity to discover more music through the internet than what we were made aware existed! The lyrics, music and vocals of A-ha far surpasses the majority of what plays over the airwaves here! I promote them every chance I get and I'm sure I am not the only one that does that. They are all talented and amazing artists together and separately! Guys, I am an A-ha fan for life and I have no doubt there's a lot more of us here in the USA that adore you! 💖

[@rosanasouza8913]

@@missysmith2830 That cool!

[@shelld1261]

@@missysmith2830 Amen! I promote them too ✌🏽

[@brightiger88]

Enjoyed this so much! Thank you for a professional interview

[@countroshculla]

I was into a-ha back in 1987-90 and then lost interest. It was only by 2005 that I got into them again have an appreciation for their work. Sad to see them split up.

[@michellewilmore01]

I can listen to this over and over and still hear a new "comment" . I wish they would have come to the US more than they did. I still love them😅

[@november10111976]

Paul's comment on Morten's words at around 25:00.. Quite funny! Interesting interview, thanks.

[@gracielaballestero1521]

A very interesting and well done interview!! And the group was fantastic!! Humble, humorous .. very nice!!👏👏👏😍

[@mllemirose]

really great interview. so glad this was uploaded!

[@mortenwonder59]

@stayontheseroads This is really a great interview! a-ha is the best band of the world and they live forever in our hearts and I hope so much, that we hear more about this fantastic group in the future? Perhaps with solo projects? Morten has very brilliant solo albums and his got a voice like an angel and a beautiful smile.. By the way: Stay on these roads is one of my favourites songs of a-ha!! a-ha forever!!

[@laspilly]

I thought that too since the beginning. Since the North & south series in 1986

[@bobbimacpherson8212]

loved, loved loved this. thank you for hosting them and thank you to A-ha for so many joys in my ife.

[@NisseOhlsen]

Great interview, thank you very much. And thank you, Jian, for being a brilliant journalist. I wish more of your collegues would share your aspirations of getting to the essense of matters.

[@5brosn1chick]

+Niels Ohlsen Yes, he is a brilliant journalist. He doesn't ask stupid questions that so many of them do, and he doesn't try to shine the spotlight on himself as so many comedian type interviewers do. Oprah is one that shines the light on the one being interviewed, but for every one like Oprah or Jian, there are 10 who aren't.

[@jimmysevs]

This is the best in depth interview with the boys. I would have loved to interview them later on. Take on me is one of the best songs ever, but i get the feeling they would have want to have made it without it. Does that makes sense to other a-ha fans?.

[@sanjayarman]

I agree. “The Sun Always Shines On T.V.” was their best masterpiece. The instrumental version was the theme music for my own Wedding. ~ Dr. Sanjay Kumar

[@jeanniegiguiere1754]

DR. SANJAY KUMAR M.D. Yes I completely agree. The instrumental is to me breathtaking. It grabs you and holds you throughout the entire song. When it’s finished I kinda sit there breathless by it’s pure genius.

[@shelld1261]

I have watched many interviews and the latest documentary at this point. What I gather is that they are grateful for the song got them noticed. Unfortunately, the style of the song is not what they really are into or wanted to be noticed for. Morten started in a Blues band and Mange and Pål’s first band was more 60’s rock vibe. If you listen to Scoundrel Days, most of East of the Sun West of the Moon, Memorial Beach, much of Major Sky, some of Lifelines, and some of Analogue, you hear what I believe is the real them and what they love. This poppy almost bubble gum boy bad for teenage girls stuff is not who they feel they really are. Unfortunately, the video just gets noticed by new generations and there are fans who love the poppy stuff, so this image will not die. They have to find a way to come to terms with a lot of the world never seeing them the way they wished the were seen. Try to be polite and grateful for the fame (and money) it got them at the same time. I mean, Magne wrote that riff when he was 15! 15! He has to still play it in his 60’s! The man has written and been a part of making some truly amazing songs that sound nothing like that, yet, that riff from his 15 year old self is how many around the world know him. Pål is a freaking amazing song writer and guitarist with so many truly great songs, but he is also mainly known for Take on Me. Morten has a voice with AMAZING range! His voice when it’s low key and gravelly is soooo good! He has so many amazing songs. Yet, he is mostly known for his falsetto with Take on Me. It’s as if they aren’t allowed to be their true selves or evolve a lot, like their true phenomenal talents don’t matter. All that matters is that damn Take on Me song and that damn poppy style. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It is sad and I feel for them. They have to be polite about it for it would cost them a big amount of their fan base if they said how they really felt about that song. I truly truly recommend you go down an a-ha rabbit hole, listen to ALL their stuff. That’s where the REAL treasure is! To only know them or like them for that one song is a tragedy, IMHO

[@shelld1261]

@@sanjayarman Definitely one of their great songs. For me, it is hard to really just pick one. I do have WHOLE albums of theirs that I am in love with. 💕

[@anaoliva5548]

@@shelld1261 Lendo seu brilhante comentário posso dizer que você consegue ler nas entrelinhas do sucesso do A-Ha que primeiro, eles são sim muito mais do que 'Take on me' que os projetou pra o mundo. E é sim uma 'tragédia' a grande maioria dos fãs não conseguir ou sequer tentar ir além disso e não explorar o fenomenal talento deles. Em Salvador em 15.07.22 foi a primeira vez que fui ao um show deles e obviamente foi maravilhoso curtir e relembrar o álbum de estreia, inclusive a Take on me mas uma das novas músicas - I'M IN - desde a primeira vez que ouvi foi uma sensação incrível tipo, nossa! essa sim é a essência do A-Ha pois eles vem SIM evoluindo e como! ao longo da carreira. Não tinha ideia da turnê esse ano até ver um post da venda de ingressos para o show uns 15 dias antes do show e agradeço tanto a Deus por isso. Confesso que não acompanha de perto a trajetória deles desde o lançamento de Summer Moved on que lembro de ter me tocado profundamente pela junção de sons de orquestra com a voz do Morten em nota alta... de tirar o fôlego.. De lá pra cá acabei deixando o peso da vida real quase me fazer esquecer até das coisas que eu gosto, e boa música sempre foi uma delas.. além do A-ha também curtia outros artistas..Fredie Mercury, Bono Vox, e etc... Nem sabia que eles tinham separado em 2010..enfim. Ter ido ao show deles foi como uma chave que abriu minha mente pra perceber como eu estava no 'automático'.. deixando de me 'alimentar' da 'magia' necessária que a alma precisa pra ser feliz. Desculpe o meu jornal...rsrsr Ver o A-HA tão de perto me salvou de mim mesma , aquela que já deixei pra trás, pois sou nova pessoa desde então. Abraços.

[@lifewithkaylee9362]

There's no way my favorite 80s band is splitting up , no I'm gonna cry.😢🥺🥺

[@louisefrederick9631]

They're not splitting up. They did for a few years. Now they're back together. :)

[@shelld1261]

@@louisefrederick9631 And they’ll get back together after this one again and again. They will be in their 90’s, arguing and making more amazing music. One hitting one with their cane, one turning off their hearing aide so they can’t hear the other one. Morten looking about 55, still has his hair, dressed to the nines with tight designer jeans, shirt open half way, new agey necklace, designer boots. Women of all ages drooling over him. He complains “I am a 92 year old great grandfather with 20 great grandchildren! This kind of attention is embarrassing and is NEVER going away! Aggggh!” 😂 Magne complaining “ I am in my 90’s. I have written many amazing songs, yet I must have peaked at 15! Take on Me is the main song people know and want! Aggggh!!!”. Pål after they finish this album, “We need to do another one, for our legacy.” 😂🤣

[@marlirocionovaes9509]

​@@shelld1261 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@amybluesky007]

People in Montreal are upset not having you guys touring there ;) hopefully, in 2023

[@sylvieouellet212]

Hopefully yes!!! 🤞😊🎶

[@katherinepoletto7875]

Sad to hear that was the Last of A-HA.the great music and video WAS my life then.66 in March 2022 and this is STILL on my Weekly play head.thank you Guys.kat,ct.

[@ahkkariq7406]

The interview is 12 years old. They are back again. The album Cast in Steel came in 2015, and a new album is coming this year, as far as I know. They are having concerts too. Hopefully I will see them in concert for the first time in Stavanger in i few months.

[@farriskft4847]

Now i understand. MH wanted to go to a more popular direction and serve the fans, while the other two are more like genuine artists. And so they went off their synthpop track even with the 2nd album, sales were lower, and even when they turned the wheel back to the synthpop by SOTR, it was late, sales declined. The US market wanted more take on me, but it was lost by then.

[@HighFashionQueen]

I don t think that is accurat, I think that Mortens look got them the attention, they all wanted to be serious, but his looks kind of got in the way, the industy thought they wore about the look.

[@jcloweproductions]

thanks for posting. great interview with my fave band- wish they did more of it here in North America.

[@alcinaportes556]

Amo essa banda

[@wonderwoman1199]

My favourite songs from this band have been : I've been losing you, Manhattan Skyline, living daylights and others. But take on me - well wasn't my favourite. I felt their other songs were more soulful.

[@MrNosreme70]

I'll miss a-ha. What a great band.

[@5brosn1chick]

+MrNosreme70 And great people.

[@1973Lomaf]

Great Interview. Thanks for sharing it.

[@sisselhansen3915]

Well, who started, by adding:"Its like leaving the party b4 you're getting thrown out".....? But Morten has a profound point by saying:"Celebrating ourselves and our work never was our strong side, so now, by breaking up, we'll have the opportunity to do that!"

[@sisselhansen3915]

Our Viking - Trio!!!

[@Mexa8253]

@5:24 “it all changed with Obama, I think” cracked me up 😂

[@skyelark155]

Why did it change then? I know he was the worst president till now , but how so 🤔

[@shelld1261]

Hahaha! I LOVED that! It was soooo clever and witty. I feel it went under the radar with everyone in the room. What a shame. I was laughing out loud hysterically!😂🤣

[@iangrant9958]

@@skyelark155Trump takes the cake for that

[@hollowillusion4732]

Great video, proud to be from Norway 🇳🇴🙏👍

[@shelld1261]

Wow! This is hands down the best interview I have seen! I only wish I could have put Magne in time out for interrupting Morten at times.😂I REALLY wanted to hear Morten talk about how he got most of the attention and was made into an object. I liked how he said they became a product. Magne cut him off and then Morten didn’t finish what he was going to say, damn it! Comes out in “A-ha the Movie”at least. Morten was used as an object. A sex object at times and it could be really cringeworthy. Morten was in the camera 95% of the time and Magne and Pål got left sharing the 5% that was left. To this day, in many videos, the top comments are about Morten’s looks. Truthfully, Morten’s messed up from this and Magne and Pål suffered as well. (Even if they don’t want to admit it) This is a real lesson for all to learn. I have seen some very crude comments made by women towards Morten. Even if not “crude”, it seems sad that after watching a video where Morten belts out amazing vocals, the main comments are “Morten’s hot!” “He’s beautiful!” “Marry me Morten!” “He’s a god!” “Is he married or does he have a girlfriend?” “I don’t like his hair long”, etc etc. The same comments I am sure those women would be upset by if it was a man saying it about a woman. This isn’t okay. Okay too, I don’t like how Morten’s made to look like he’s flaky or out there. I feel like if everyone let him talk and not interrupt him with sometimes belittling comments, he would have made more sense. 🤦🏻‍♀️ *Update:Okay, I am learning from others that Morton can get philosophical and talk a lot, maybe lose some people, so I can see now why Magne might cut him off a bit. My mistake for sure. Learn something new all the time. I guess I must see the ones where he gets cut off. I have not really had the pleasure to see one with a long Philosophical rant yet. 🙃 I did find this interesting to learn that Morten was in a Blues band and Pål and Magne were in a kind of 60’s rock band. I find it interesting that my favorite album from them is “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”. That I also like a lot of stuff that is more bluesy/rock on “Scoundrel Days, Memorial Beach, some of Minor Earth, Major Sky, and Lifelines”. That’s when it feels and sounds the most genuine to me. I am grateful for the “Take on Me” that got them noticed, for without it, I probably wouldn’t of had the pleasure to have heard this amazing stuff they did. I would however, not mind at all if they retired Take on Me. Now I know their other stuff, it just doesn’t feel like the genuine them. Well, unless you play the absolute original one (Juicey Fruit, I think it’s nicknamed). That one has a very 60’s rock vibe. I really like it! I do love the Unplugged version too. It’s got a melancholy vibe and fits their style better, IMHO. To me, their best stuff is when it’s melancholy, a bit dark, bluesy, or kind of 60’s rock ish. I am not a fan of the poppy happy happy Take on Me stuff anymore. I am so in LOVE when Pål really gets into his guitar, Magne is jamming on the organ/piano/keyboards, and Morten is doing a lot of low key/almost gravelly singing. Wow wow wow! That’s when they are all three so hot! Nothing about their looks, open shirts, bare chests and vests, looking like perfect GQ models, just listening to them really getting into their phenomenal genuine talents.❤️

[@ahkkariq7406]

Magne knows Morten, and we Norwegians probably know him a little better than most other people. He tends to get so philosophical that others can't keep up. I don't say that as anything negative, because I'm of the philosophical type myself, just as an explanation. You need more than a short interview if you are to move into the area Morten would like to enter. I imagine that is the reason why Magne steps in. He understands where Morten is going, and maybe they even have an agreement that he should derail the conversation when it goes in that direction? I myself would have loved to have a longer conversation with Morten, and experienced where such a conversation could take me as a human being, but that will certainly never happen. The best I can hope for is that Morten is once invited to a philosophical, longer conversation in a podcast with a skilled host. That could be interesting.

[@shelld1261]

@@ahkkariq7406 I could see that could be the case and maybe I misunderstood. Although, the main reason I got a bit annoyed is because Morten was starting to talk about how much attention was paid to his looks. Somehow, he got interrupted and the conversation changed. Did they change it because Morten would have became philosophical about it? I really wanted to hear what he had to say about that. I guess I did get to hear it in a-ha the movie though. I just thought it would be good for more people to understand that part of the band’s history better. I can understand if with questions in general, Morten could go over some heads or talk too long for the interview. This particular subject though about his looks, it feels like it was pushed aside. I think it would be cool to listen to interviews with Morten getting philosophical too. It’s cool to just see the man get to talk and use his brain, not be there just to ogle. I watched a bit of a great video on a-ha’s KZbin channel with Morten discussing climate change with some other people. I loved seeing him get to be seen for his knowledge and thoughts. He seems like a smart man. Not that I don’t think Pål and Magne aren’t smart. I just feel many only see Morten for his looks.

[@ahkkariq7406]

@@shelld1261 I see what you mean. My explanation was more of a general thing. And believe me - Morten gets way more philosophical than most people. It gets more of a spiritual thing than intellectual. We have this comedian in Norway who used to caricature Morten, and actually did quite well. You may have seen him singing while Mange plays the piano and Morten comes down the steps to take over. He made some hilarious sketches where he came off as a philosophizing Morten. Love them both.

[@shelld1261]

@@ahkkariq7406 Ha, I see. 😉 I think I did see a clip of that. It was pretty funny. It does make sense that Norwegians would know them way better than Americans as well. Would be cool to see Morten get philosophical. I have never seen it. Any interviews I have seen, he usually gets cut off somehow and Magne does most of the talking. I figured Pål was quite the introvert, so that’s why he didn’t talk much. Just figured Magne was the big extrovert of the group and why he talked the most. Guess it’s because they have to make sure Morten doesn’t go on and on.😋

[@ahkkariq7406]

@@shelld1261 They probably want to avoid an international audience starting to wonder what's up with Morten. Many Norwegians have believed that the conflicts in the band were because of Morten, and it is probably because they have seen the other side of him, the one they don't understand. After they saw the movie, they realized that Morten was not the problem. In this interview you could hear Magne say "How much Morten can we take", then they all chuckled. Morten is probably aware of how he is doing. In another interview, Magne says that "Morten is more lonely when he is among other people than when he is alone", and then Morten chuckled. It is so fun to get to know them through these interviews. They give away so much information which I pick up and puzzle together, whether I want to or not. Maybe I am totally wrong, but working as a teacher has given me some skills, you have to pay attention to small signals in people's behavior, and it is probably these that I pick up on.

[@athfdrizzle]

great interview. Thanks so much.

[@amybluesky007]

Magne has is more consensual in his responses while still defending the band's choices. Anyway they were deserving all the fame and attention as they are completely legitimate. They don,'t need to explain what has happened. It s always a matter of business, marketing and money when they want to do music...

[@Louie2010Toby]

Brilliant intervew

[@NanaSam333]

19:25 😂 Morten confident face as he mentionned his prophecy lolll I laughed so hard "...not just a priest but prophet" lolllolll

[@thechickwholuvsbnbh]

fantastic interview, was hung on to their every word. HAHA morten's stimulated :p

[@barbarascuteri4642]

Thank you for this excellent interview. It was nice to listen to them ❤

[@karysmiths7584]

I don't like it, but I like it when Morten smiles.

[@n.j.s.givemeasmile2158]

Just a very good interesting Interview on a high Level.

[@Horizon344]

Good interview. A-ha relegated itself to being a 2nd division act in pop music after the success of the 1st LP due to a certain Norwegian mental parochialism, which stopped them absorbing creative influences from London in the 1980's-1990's. Altho they were happy to work with English pop culture on the packaging of the act, they locked its influence out musically, & this led to a creative attenuation between 1990-2002 where they over-mined their unique Norwegian sound with diminishing returns, which torpedoed the act's chances of being up there with u2, Cure, Police, New Order, Depeche Mode, etc., commercially & artistically. They should have engaged with England musically/culturally, & not just treated it as a place to get a record contract.

[@rosanasouza8913]

I partially agree with you. I think a-ha was greatly underestimated musically not because of "Norwegian purism", but because of other factors like the intense internal conflicts in the band (especially between Magne and Pal) and the boyband image they carried early in their career. Conflicts between the band members about artistic paths, musical credits and even about the band's image caused 3 ruptures and prevent the production of a new album until today, according to Morten...l I didn't watch the documentary "a-ha: the movie", but from what I read in a recent interview with Morten, the film highlights these conflicts. Look this: www.salon.com/2021/06/12/a-ha-the-movie-morten-harket/ The fame of cute boys also hindered them a lot. The critics belittled a-ha because of that image and even some people, like me for example, who didn't listen to a-ha because they thought it was a boyband...lol Regarding commercial success, I disagree with you when you say that The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order and Police are more successful than a-ha. Except U2, the bands you mentioned, although artistically respected, are not commercial successes in the rest of the world, it is more restricted to the UK. a-ha is successful worldwide to this day. They are popular on Spotify and KZbin and continue to play in arenas to large audiences around the world. They have a large and solid fan base especially in Latin America, Japan, Germany, Norway (of course) and the UK. The band was on a world tour before the pandemic, by the way. Regarding this interview, in my opinion, it's the best interview I've ever seen with a-ha. The interviewer is very smart, funny and understands music. Very cool!

[@ahkkariq7406]

The band had London as their permanent base for ten years, from 1983 to 1993, so it is wrong that they treated the city only as a place to get a record deal. They moved back to Norway for several reasons. Magne had a civil service he had to complete for the Norwegian armed forces. They had had their first child, and his wife was not happy in London, far away from her family. He was burnt out after many years of hard work, and the same was probably the case for Morten. When Magne moved back, so did Morten, and Pål moved to the USA, where his wife's family is from. I don't quite understand what you mean by their Norwegian parochialism. What I do know, however, is that the band's manager, Terry Slater, had so much faith in the band that he refused to let alcohol and drugs destroy them. Without the band realizing it, he went to key people in those circles and threatened them not to drag the band into the destructive environment that he had seen destroy many artists before. Because they went a different way, Morten Harket retained the power of his voice much longer than he otherwise would have done. You should be honest enough to admit that countries keep their own close to their chests, including the English. It's natural, and even though a-ha had London as their base for ten years, they were still Norwegians. They had parents and siblings in Norway, and not in England, and naturally they traveled to Norway to celebrate Christmas and other holidays, to be with their family. It is otherwise not unknown to us Norwegians that being Norwegian is a disadvantage in the music industry. Maria Mena had a promising career ahead of her in the USA, but was not allowed to talk about the fact that she was Norwegian, because that in itself was a problem, according to the industry. If she had been Swedish, it probably wouldn't have been a problem (in my opinion). The treatment Maria received in America ended with her manager taking the young girl home to Norway for the sake of her mental health, so it did not become anything of an international career, despite the fact that she is half American. She is a beloved artist in Norway. Otherwise, see what happened when Norwegian Kurt Nilsen won the first and only World Idol in 2003 - the competition was never organized again, and according to the American press, the reason is that Kurt Nilsen won.

[@darialaskowska]

Cannot wait for the film! ❤️

[@r.a.8503]

We love u ..come back to Ottawa pls

[@rdwest5454]

Real good interview

[@olgat.2837]

Слова журналиста о том, что они могут воссоединиться через 10 или 20 лет, оказались пророческими. Только они воссоединились уже через 5 лет после "распада"! Сольная карьера получается только у Мортена, Пол и Магне без голоса Мортена не так успешны. Но музыка Мортена - это не A-ha, это совершенно иной стиль. Секрет их успеха - именно в их сотрудничестве: в музыке Пола и Магне и в вокале Мортена, без которого песни A-ha не были бы популярны. Это то, о чем сказал Магне, отвечая на вопрос о первых шагах группы: "Нам пришлось вернуться в Норвегию, чтобы заполучить Мортена". Как пошутил Мортен, "чтобы заполучить священника". Священником он не стал, но его христианское мировоззрение отражается в его сольных альбомах и интервью. В последнее время в его интервью звучат даже эсхатологические нотки. Человек думает о жизни и смерти. Талантливые, умные и необыкновенно чистые артисты.

[@MegaTriumph1]

Stand by Me. That song is unforgetable.

[@connierenna-xf9um]

Greetings from a Babyboomer on Rhode Island, USA! I’ll be keeping track of you guys…😍😘🤍

[@ragnarkisten]

love the hosts computer. he must have kept it since the 80s

[@mago262001]

Thank you!!!!

[@radahhhh]

WHO is the host? Best Aha interview!

[@archangelhalo6358]

Great Interview, Saw Them At Cardiff Castle 🏰 This Year So Glad They Added Cardiff To Their Hunting High & Low Tour (Even If Cardiff Was Part Of The Summer Section) Talking Of Hunting & High & Low My Favourite Song Of Theirs & Very Underrated Not Played Enough In My Opinion Should Have As Much Air Time As Take On Me & Sun Always Shines On TV. Love A-HA Best Band In The Universe Ever - In My Opinion (True - I Am Biased).

[@shelld1261]

What song was your favorite?

[@Ro_varta]

Nice !!!!! Thank you for sharing !!!!