Shnootz - Reaction Video (a-ha - The Bandstand)

[@sebzematik]

One of their best songs in my opinion. I got hooked on first listen ... and I just realised I still am. Always such a pleasure to listen to.

[@alexioverdo5225]

Superb A-ha track!Kind of sound reminiscent to their first 2 albums also maybe blended with some early DM/Yazoo svibes that i get.Morten's delivery marvelous too.

[@markwebster7435]

When you are done with this album you have one track to listen that was their farewell track before they officially decided to end a-ha, it’s called butterfly butterfly. Magne is the one who really instigated the ending of the band. We were all devastated, I attended their 3rd ever last show of their farewell tour. 5 years later they came back again in 2015, and released new album cast in steel. They have been active since, touring and released their mtv unplugged album, and now of course in late 22 they release true north album and movie.

[@Cta2006]

Wait a minute ... They have released two more albums ... Cast in Steel in 2015 and True North in 2022.

[@JEF3N]

@@Cta2006 correct ... and summer solstice - mtv unplugged 2017... some very different arrangements... so much so some sound like new songs

[@UnhandyCandy280]

butterfly butterfly is a wonderful track.

[@christianoazzuro6711]

'Butterfly' is such a sensitive track.A farewell in their second but seldom hiatus after 2010.Had watched them performing this live in their London Wembley farewell gig Nov.2010.Really emotional both song and video which is quite symbolic and impactful..

[@markwebster7435]

@@Cta2006 ? Are you asking me a question or did you not know about the albums ?

[@JesperHellvik]

It's a crime this wasn't released as a single! Just like Out Of Blue Comes Green wasn't.

[@mattsnider2667]

It's a phenomenal track. I had it on repeat for like 20 minutes while processing my videos this morning, lol.

[@markwebster7435]

Also a crime they butchered shadowside for a single, the album version was perfect.

[@O-CONSERVADOR-CAPITALISTA]

This song is great. It really sounds like the 80's songs. I really really love it

[@js1clips]

A fantastic start to the album. Lyrics by Paul, music by Paul and Magne. The synth-riff is taken from Magne's song "Come Back" on his 2008 solo album "A Dot Of Black In The Blue Of Your Bliss". The lyrics are about Paul's first trip to the States in 1983/84, to visit his then-girlfriend Lauren and her family. Paul in the album press release: "Songs are like a photo-album - they can really send you back. And this one reminds me of arriving at Port Authority with $35 in my pocket, sporting really high, yellow, almost see-through synthesizer-hair, wearing a tiger-shirt and a brown suit, looking like an alien!"

[@sofiamar18]

Thank you, I meant to add that quote from Paul about this song, but now you have spared me that extra comment. 😉 And I was forgetting about the riff being on Magne's song. 👍 Nice to see you here, Jakob.

[@Riker46060]

They have a great library of music, I went a A-ha exploration almost 10 years ago. There is so much that wasn’t released in the US or marketed at all. They take on different styles throughout the years , but have a distinct sound that carries through.

[@rosatorresparra925]

Amo toda la discografía de a-ha mis noruegos son una verdadera maravilla.

[@marjoriemcbride6557]

I really love this track, it’s another great opener for the album, and certainly a return to a more synth based sound, reminiscent of their early album tracks, and yet in a more electronic and updated way. It’s even better when they play this live and Morten finishes by leaving the mic and picking up drumsticks and beating out the outro!

[@shelld1261]

Well, would be cool to see him do that.

[@marjoriemcbride6557]

@@shelld1261 Here he is…kzbin.info/www/bejne/rneup3h6e8hrZ9k

[@shelld1261]

@@marjoriemcbride6557 Ooooh….okay….well then….okay. Wow….ha, it’s funny, I know many, well, millions probably are attracted to Morten just for appearance alone. Never did much for me there. However that deep voice he had…and I am a sucker for drummers. Just seeing him with the drumsticks and him doing that small part, my heart fluttered ❤❤❤😂😂 Still dressed too GQ for me, but the drums can drive me crazy for some reason 🔥🔥😂 That was cool to watch. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@shelbydc1]

watch some of the live videos and you can see him do it although in person would be amazing!!@@shelld1261

[@elyssia7026]

Your face! 😂😂😂 We knew you'd love this one. It's phenomenal, isn't it? It's very high up my list of best a-ha songs. (Though I've never ranked them, I'm not sure I could. I don't know how Jesper and JP do it, I'd be constantly changing my mind.) I love this album, love it, love it, love it! Though looking at my best a-ha list (yes, I keep a spreadsheet, what's wrong with that? 😂) it only includes 4 songs from this album, compared to the likes of 7 for SD, 6 each for HHAL, EOTSWOTM, Lifelines, and CIS, 5 for Analogue, 4 for SOTR, 3 for MB, and 1 each for MEMS and TN. I don't think that's necessarily representative of where the albums would come in a proper ranking though, I think it's about the cohesiveness of the album overall, how much filler there is, the overall feel and vibe etc. Anyway, that's my very geeky way of saying that this is a great song from a great album that you are going to love. Though the whole album, for me, is tinged with sadness (and a fair bit of frustration) because of the tensions it caused between the band and the resulting split. You'll pick up on that story through the comments as you progress through the album.

[@sofiamar18]

Uh-oh... 😂 I told you we would go our separate ways, sooner or later. 😜 The Bandstand is one of my favourites on this album (I can never choose only one) but it wouldn't be in my top 10 or anywhere close. Not that I have ever done a list. 😁 I couldn't do it, no point in losing time trying - much less in trying to rank them, as JP and Jesper do. 😉 Nor is FOTM onenof my favourite albums. But I liked to read about your list and the detail of how many songs of each album you have in it. 👏 (3 for MB... 🤦‍♀😅)

[@elyssia7026]

@@sofiamar18 😂😂😂 I love how we're all so different in what we like and why! Yeah, definitely no ranking for me, as you say - no point wasting time trying. The spreadsheet came about out of curiosity more than anything else. I already had a playlist of the songs I love most and one day I suddenly had a burning desire to know how many were from each album and who had written them. I thought I knew what the results would be before I started, but some of it was quite surprising - MB being a prime example of that. SD coming out on top with the most songs didn't surprise me in the least though, I could have put money on that!

[@lindawallerman2564]

Aah! Finally! I've been waiting for this. My children got used to listening to some of these songs on our way home from work and school. Lovely! The bandstand is uplifting but still a bit sad. 😊❤🎵🇳🇴🇸🇪

[@christianoazzuro6711]

A great opener and one of their best later recordings.

[@MarkSatchwillArt]

This is my favourite of a-ha's albums from the 2000's. 10 tracks, no filler. This track was produced by Mark Saunders who also produced Erasure's Wild album as well as working with Neneh Cherry, Cyndi Lauper, Bowie, remixing Depeche Mode etc. Steve Osborne, who was half of the Perfecto team in the 90's (producers and dance music label) also produced some tracks - he has worked with Suede, New Order, B-52's and also later produced one of Morten's solo albums. Loved your face as it started! I think many of us felt like that when this dropped at the time!

[@sofiamar18]

Yes, Matt is very expressive, loved his face too. 😁

[@markwebster7435]

Was about Paul dating his yet to be wife. It’s a solid album , bar the last track, the title track was a reworking of a magne solo track called the longest night, as revealed in the a-ha movie their manager suggested combining that track with something Paul was working on, Paul saw magne’s song as throwing shit at him. It nearly led to magne and morten firing Paul from the band if he didn’t agree to it, Paul relented , but their manager regrets to this day of having ever suggested Paul’s chorus be used as the tension it caused.

[@lindawallerman2564]

It was so powerful at the concert! 😊❤🎵🇳🇴🇸🇪

[@shelbydc1]

also---Morten drums for a bit---always a treat :)

[@alisonscott1469]

Happy Saturday Matt, your spoiling us today thankyou. The Bandstand, words by Pal Waaktaar-Savoy and Music by Magne Furuholmen and Pal Waaktaar- Savoy. This track perfectly fits this album. It has a crisp synth and evokes the sound of the band during their imperial phase. The lyrics offer a nostalgic snapshot of a musician on the cusp of stardom. In concert, a more dynamic arrangement of the song was performed, the intro was slightly elongated and the guitars were cranked up, while Morten played electronic drums in the final third. The Bandstand was the first of 5 co-writes with Magne. Pal has always been very good at taking something that Magne has written and pairing it with something he’s written. Looking forward to your foot of the mountain album comments. Thankyou for taking this A-HA journey and letting us fans tag along for the wild ride that it is. Take care, stay safe and have a great weekend. I’ll see you on the next one. 😘❤️🇳🇴❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@willitrelstad595]

I've been waiting for this one - the song is just awesome. Aha going back to their synth roots. Glad you liked it!!

[@roberthuddleston2305]

Matt. Awesome as always! I watched this after your shadow side video. These songs are amazing! My daughter loves them and they are deep, gritty and just a joy every time I hear them. Your reaction to both this and shadow side are true emotion. I highly recommend Morten Harkets “lighting”, “just believe it”, “when I reach the moon”. They are fantastic tracks!

[@mattsnider2667]

Cheers, really love to read this! And you're right, a-ha's quality on this album continues to shine through in different facets. And right on, I'm going through Morten's solo stuff, both English and Norwegian, so I'll keep those tracks in mind. Thanks again, Robert!

[@Cta2006]

"The Bandstand" You stand in the doorway A block up the street Ringing the doorbell There’s tapping of feet High yellow hair And a worn brown suit... Enter, and break the news Now tell me the story I give it the time No need to worry Everything’s fine I’ll take you away From the name-calling scene Sure... you can bring your magazine Cold and windblown on the old bandstand You and I walking hand in hand A neon-glow shining Down on us Don’t wait up for us Don’t wait up for us Now tell me the story I’ll give it the time When you stop looking Then you will find I’ll take you away From this name-calling scene Just bring your magazine Cold and windblown on the old bandstand You and I walking hand in hand A neon-glow shining Down on us Don’t wait up for us Don’t wait up for us Writer(s): Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-savoy

[@ElanurMH]

This is my phone ringtone😁. Bandstand is for me one of the best a-ha songs of the 2000's and was not released as a single 🤦 (again another big mistake). This song was always a highlight at the concerts. At a certain point of the song, Morten grabbed drumsticks and stepped up to the drums 🥁 and played. There was always great cheering when he did that

[@shelld1261]

I would have loved watching that part.

[@shelld1261]

Majorie just posted a link me a link to see him. Well then… I have to say I know millions are attracted to Morten alone for his looks. I am not one of them for he is too GQ for me. However, his 90’s voice and anytime his voice is deep or scratchy?🔥🔥 I am also a sucker for the drums. Funny, just him picking up the drumsticks and doing that small part sent my heart a flutter. ❤🔥🔥😂

[@ElanurMH]

@@shelld1261 What do you mean with "GQ" ?🤔

[@shelld1261]

@@ElanurMH Like a model on the cover of a GQ magazine. Sorry, maybe it’s more of an American saying? 🙃Just that he’s always dressed and looking so perfect and kinda too skinny for me. Not that I don’t know he’s attractive. He’s a very beautiful or pretty man, like Brad Pitt or Rob Lowe. I guess I am more into mmmm..down to earth looking guys, guys with some weight on them. Like Brendan Fraser, Sean Astin, and Alfonso Ribeiro. (When they have weight on them)❤ I guess I look at Morten and think “ Man, I would always have to be dressed up, have my hair nice, and makeup to be around or be seen with him” Where I mean, it’s nice to have a guy who can clean up, but I also want to feel like I can just be in comfortable clothes, messy hair, no makeup, and feel okay being around or seen with the the guy.🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ElanurMH]

@@shelld1261 I already knew that you meant the magazine but I wasn't sure. I know what you mean but I think Morten is pretty grounded in his normal, private life. I don't think he has to do much to look perfect, he's naturally beautiful, he could walk around in dirty clothes and still look attractive. I've seen him many times up close, off stage. He is as natural as the neighbor next door (a very handsome neighbor 😁). And I was very often at the front row in the concerts, he had never makeup. All these fashion experiments that Morten has done with his style are part of the job and it is also due to the fact that he was very keen to experiment, especially when he was young. He was pretty wild back then, just tried a lot. For example, the fashion world owes Morten the torn jeans. He was the first star who wear ripped jeans on stage (unplanned of course, his jeans accidentally got caught on something while walking on stage and got ripped). Fashion also has something to do with art, Morten and Mags are quite artistic (I've seen Morten's drawings, he could easily have become a painter). Actually, the media and all these magazines have pushed all three in this light and role. They weren't happy about it either. Anyway, we also know Morten in other ways, e.g. when he was in Africa for charitable purposes, or when he was involved with nature, etc. with dirt in his hands and clothes. In short, Morten is a natural beauty, this perfectly styled Morten was actually more in the early stages. After that he became normal. Of course different standards are set for photo shoots and the press, but at the concerts or when he was spotted shopping , or came out of the hotel to give autographs, he was completely normal, modest, friendly, funny, patient and sometimes also annoyed which is understandable and he was then always dressed normally. In the latter world tours he was even dressed too casually. At least that's the general experience the fans have had and talked about. I witnessed it a few times myself (he never wore make-up, by the way). But the most important thing about Morten is his voice and his personality. His appearance becomes irrelevant when he starts singing or when he talks to you. There's no way to deny his looks, he's far too good looking for that (in person he's even better looking than on these posters and he's very well built, obviously slims down during touring, but he's not 'skinny', he's very muscular and athletic) but that's just a welcome extra, he's much more interesting as a person as a whole, as a personality and the music they make is above all. I heard a-ha first and fell in love with the music,before I saw them

[@UnhandyCandy280]

It's a great start to the album and i think i had similar facial expressions to you when i first heard it. Lyrically there was a specific story being told here and I'm certain others will tell it better. The band was looking for a way to reinvigorate them selves so Mags took them all to see Depeche Mode live and the die was cast on an overall tone for the album. I think they rolled a six here. Very sing-able and I'd like to think that with the correct dosage of falling down water and a karaoke machine, I'd raise (or destroy) the house with this song.

[@shelld1261]

Haha! I bet you would!👍🏼 I hate to say this isn’t my kind of A-ha. I am not a big synth fan. However, seeing Matt’s face and seeing how this song makes so many happy? That’s really cool ❤

[@UnhandyCandy280]

@@shelld1261 I get you...like Swing of Things... it seems to be a big fan fave but it's kind of meh for me. I like it just fine but not a top 10 for me.... I kind feel bad saying it. I love that fans love it... but I don't love it.

[@bobpongelet]

A great opener, the chorus is soooo melancholic

[@philipmcfarlane]

I knew you'd love this one. It was a song that I enjoyed from the very first listen.

[@alisonscott1469]

Love the look on your face when the bandstand started it was priceless. I’m sure you’ll love this album as much as all the others. I love it it shows another side to A-HA.😘❤️🇳🇴❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@SJ-tk4ri]

Great opener that sets the tone for what I consider is another cohesive album full of top notch tracks. Just got to love the heavy synth and electronic sounds. I must admit I have revisited this album a few times of late in advance of your deep dive and it never fails to please. I love how the pace of his vocal delivery changes at the chorus, dragging the melody along, that’s the hook for me along with that simple but catchy synth line.

[@markwebster7435]

Also the synth rift is taken from a magne solo song called come back, it was on his debut solo album. But the rift is done on the piano

[@markwebster7435]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHjSdWeqoL16qtk here ya go Matt, enjoy 😁

[@JEF3N]

Yeah that's right! What a track. If I remember correctly Paul debated between The Bandstand and Man In The Park as to which should go to A-ha and which to Savoy... they're both spectacular tracks... so you can look forward to Man In The Park 😀

[@JesperHellvik]

I would've loved to hear MiP done by a-ha

[@UnhandyCandy280]

@@JesperHellvik oooooh, yes please. Love that album great songs that could have been a-has.

[@js1clips]

No, it was "Summer Moved On" and "Man In The Park", back in 1998. Apparently he asked Savoy-drummer Frode Unneland to choose between them, and he went with the latter track. a-ha did record a version of "Man In The Park" as well, but it remains unreleased.

[@JesperHellvik]

@@js1clips well between the two I'm happy Frode chose MiP - otherwise I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have seen an a-ha comeback. Despite how good MiP is it doesn't compete with SMO!

[@JesperHellvik]

@@js1clips I would love to hear the a-ha version of MiP, though!

[@pedrogappalli4489]

Woooow! Thanks, Matt. "The Bandstand" é linda e será sempre atemporal.

[@UnhandyCandy280]

It's good in the live show too !!!

[@kaybailey-jones3740]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@RobertMcGirr-v1j]

LOVE this MATT - miss ya brother!

[@sofiamar18]

Hehehe, I was anticipating your enthusiasm with this opening. 😁 No doubt, it grips you and it sounds very exciting, a great opener. Only yesterday I was commenting that this song and the next one make you want to dance, and there you were dancing away on your chair. 😅 Not all songs will be that upbeat, but I think you will enjoy them all. One particular thing about this album to me is that there isn't one single song that I skip, not one song that makes me cringe ever so slightly, but on the other hand the excitement these songs make me feel are not very enduring, after a few dozen listens it had worn out. I don't listen to this album much, I need a long pause from it before it sounds exciting again. This is the third video I watched on your channel today and I was thinking at the beginning "Where is Lucca?", and right after I heard you say she was going to pull out everything. 🤣Good thing that you avoided disaster this time. I have seen there is a short video featuring Lucca. 😉

[@mattsnider2667]

Haha, I love your comments so much, Sofia. And you're not the only one to comment on this video by saying there's not a single "skipper" on this track. Really excited for this record. Thanks again, really happy you found my channel. :)

[@sofiamar18]

@@mattsnider2667 and I am very happy you decided to do this, you have brightened up my days. 🥰 Really!

[@shelld1261]

It was fun watching Matt’s face for it. He loves it! Even if I am not a fan, it’s fun to see when others really enjoy a song ❤

[@mgoulet002]

This is my favoraite from A-Ha post Minor Earth Major Sky. I agree with some of the other commenters that the strength of this album is it's return to a tight album length (just 10 songs). All killer or near-killer, and no filler. I think that while the band had a lot of great songs on their previous two albums, the got a bit drunk on the long CD lengths and added too many extra weaker tracks. This is a return to the LP format of 5 on Side A and 5 on Side B as well as the synth pop (guitar accented) roots. Can't wait to see your reaction to the next one which is, IMO, one of their most positive sounding songs ever.

[@nicomaximus9646]

It Should Have Been a Single, at this time, just after Foot Of The Mountain released... 🤩

[@Cta2006]

Congratulations in getting this far into A-ha's catalogue 🙂

[@kaybailey-jones3740]

It was like a homecoming.

[@kaybailey-jones3740]

Okay now I’m too excited lol.

[@ivicatunukovic4509]

And the end jurney of A ha,you a biggest fan of A ha!

[@mattsnider2667]

Hahaha, I won't claim anything beyond what I should, but seriously, I love this band so much, and it just increases as I go along through this journey. Thanks for the comments, appreciate you!

[@sverrevegardhalvorsen4693]

I really like this song too🎶 Felt like a comeback when I listened to it the first time. Can't say this is one of their best albums, but there are some songs to add to the a-ha playlist. The bandstand, Shadowside, mother nature goes to heaven, sunny mystery. Foot of the Mountain, Nothing is keeping you Here, Riding the Crest🤔 I don't know, They feel a bit too commercial, or maybe I'm more on the shadowside of A-ha😅🎶 Some good songs on this album but personally I think Cast in Steel is more satisfying in total to compare.

[@lindsJP]

If I was forced to make a top ten a-ha songs, this would be in it! And that’s tricky considering the back catalogue. I remember you saying that a-ha know how to start and finish an album, which is correct. So I tried to remember, if this song’s the start, what’s the finish? I’d forgotten. (did a cheeky you tube and ‘oooooooohh!’).

[@JEF3N]

Rewatching this reaction I think its one of the best yet. Waiting for the next ambient excursion to drop 😲 or did I get the wrong night?

[@mattsnider2667]

Nope, you got it right, it should be up in an hour or less. Cheers, really appreciate that you've taken an interest in the Ambient Excursion mixes. :D

[@SJ-tk4ri]

One further quick comment - It’s a very synth heavy album, but in consideration of you asking about other tracks that may be less electronic: I could imagine the title track slotting into the Analogue album with minimal change to the arrangement.

[@mattsnider2667]

Cheers, appreciate the insight as always. Also, I meant to get another OMD reaction in last night but ran out of time. Should get around to it in the next day or two, though!

[@SJ-tk4ri]

I’ve already got my comments on the next OMD track drafted in my head 😊👍🏼

[@Elena-in6uw]

Fantastica!!!

[@ahkkariq7406]

I prefer the live version from Neuwied 2009. If they had toned down the synth just a little, the song would be way up on the list of favorites. The album version of this song is simply too synthy for me. Now I prefer the Analogue album over Foot of the Mountain, too. As a teacher, I also have a little extra love for the less popular students. The most outgoing and exuberant manage well on their own.

[@shelld1261]

Haha…I like how you worded that.😂 I too prefer Analogue. I mean, I get how people would love it, but I am not a big synth person myself.

[@dawndriscoll3344]

Can I be controversial?? I don't like the silly kiddie computer game noise start - it's so plastic - I'm expecting Super Mario to appear or something 🙃I can also hear Situation by Yazoo (slowed down), which is a good song, but not a-ha. The rest of the song is great.

[@UnhandyCandy280]

You'll feel better when you let out the pain inside. I did and feel refreshed and shiny new. LOL

[@dawndriscoll3344]

@@UnhandyCandy280 ha ha 😂, yes. I used to play Atari games. My favourite was The Smurfs - I swear little Smurf was going down the road and jumping over fences to a tune just like the start of this song 😂

[@UnhandyCandy280]

@@dawndriscoll3344 I always thought 'Riding the Crest' was more video game than this but i hear what you mean. LOL

[@dawndriscoll3344]

@unhandyxbox2944 yes, that one also video game material 🫢

[@shelld1261]

Oh my gosh, not controversial at all to me! I can see the Smurf now! 😂 I have a hard time with it too. I want to like it but, it’s not MY A-ha. This is definitely someone else’s A-ha 😂