A-ha Albums Ranked

A-ha (usually stylized as a-ha; Norwegian pronunciation: [ɑˈhɑː]) is a Norwegian synth-pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (guitars), Magne Furuholmen (keyboards, guitars), and Morten Harket (vocals), the band rose to fame during the mid-1980s. The band has released ten studio albums, several compilations, and four live albums. In less than a year, during 2010, the band earned an estimated 500 million Norwegian kroner from concert tickets, merchandise, and the release of a greatest hits album, making them one of the 40–50 highest-grossing bands in the world. The band was listed in the Guinness World Records book for having the biggest-paying rock concert attendance; they drew an audience of 198,000 at Maracanã Stadium during Rock in Rio festival. Another record for the band is for singer Morten Harket, who was (and is still) listed in the Guinness World Records book in 2001 for the longest live note held; he held a note in “Summer Moved On” for 20.2 seconds. Their exact sale figures are somewhat controversial; according to their label, Rhino Entertainment, they have sold 55 million records, but other sources assert that they have sold more than 100 million units, albums and singles combined. Here are all of A-ha albums ranked.

Don’t miss out on the music of A-ha below! Click below and listen to the songs enjoyed by many countries!

10. MTV Unplugged – Summer Solstice (2017)

“”MTV Unplugged – Summer Solstice” is very innovative and sounds great. i welcome and like the two news songs ‘This Is Our Home’ and ‘A Break In The Clouds’. I like this album on a personal level I suppose. The Unplugged concept is really great, all the songs have been, as they have said “dismantled” and the result is beautiful and emotional.”

9. Lifelines (2002)

“Brilliant album from A-ha that is every bit as good as their debut album. It shows a nice maturity to their sound. Morten‘s voice is unlike any other and sounds as silky as ever here. Features the haunting title track Lifelines plus many other gems in Forever Not yours and Did Anyone Approach You”

8. Memorial Beach (1993)

“Starting off with the rather melancholy but anthemic “Dark is the Night for All”, the album goes on to the driving rhythm and simply silly “Move to Memphis” which is more of a guilty pleasure but remains pleasurable all the same. “Angel in the Snow” is a very sweet and almost paternal love song which musically evokes U2’s “One”. The pulsating “Locust” continues their trend of Doors-esque musical forays into poetic darkness, but the album jumps back to life with the Bowie-esque sexual rhythms of “Lie Down in Darkness”. “Lamb to the Slaughter” continues the album’s musically and lyrically dark motif about inevitability and futility and yields one of the best songs of the group’s catalog, and then the album makes its only real mistake, which is the annoyingly nonsensical “Between Your Mama and Yourself”, but then comes to a redemptive full stop with the haunting ballad of the title track.”

See more: Gary Numan Albums Ranked

7. Foot Of The Mountain (2009)

“The title song is an incredibly heartfelt and moving song. Throughout the album, Harket’s vocals are more mature (as befits his age) and there is little need for him to prove that he is a master vocalist (he’s already done that). Pal and Mags and Morten have written a more intense and emotional album here.”

6. East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon (1990)

“Out of their first studio albums, “East of the sun, West of the moon” is a-ha’s most diverse and daring set. A departure from their old radio-friendly sound to a moodier tone, it relied less on electronic beats and synthesizers, and used real instruments, updating the band’s sound to appeal to the new decade’s listeners. After the poptastic brilliance of their debut, “Hunting high and low”, and the somewhat uneven and disjointed third album, “Stay on these roads”, for this, a-ha made a conscious decision to present a different kind of songwriting, completing the transition suggested by their sophomore, the exquisitely dark “Scoundrel days”.

5. Minor Earth Major Sky (2000)

“I would call MINOR EARTH MAJOR SKY a product of time. It could only have come about as a result of time and all that implies. Esoteric, perhaps. Listen to `Velvet.’ `Velvet’ is a whimsical atmospheric piece of sheer beauty. You have to hear it to appreciate this great melodic piece of elegant impressionism. Only a-ha could deliver such a song. Each song on this album is a rare treasure that many of us waited for never really knowing if we were ever to hear from a-ha again.”

See more: Men Without Hats Albums Ranked

4. Analogue (2005)

“With the most Beatlesque sound of any of their previous works, a-ha pulls out all the stops with some of the most powerful songs and beautiful ballads of their career. If you want a repeat of “Hunting High And Low” and “Scoundrel Days”, you won’t get it here. This one is on a completely different plane. Though they will never forsake their hits of yesteryear, a-ha does not live solely for the nostalgic. Great bands are determined when they continue to successfully stretch the boundaries, take risks, and not delve in the repetitive.”

3. Stay On These Roads (1988)

“‘The Blood that Moves the Body’ is a mature and somewhat troubling song (as so many others penned by Pal). Yet it is VERY well arranged and constructed. ‘This Alone is Love’ showcases the band’s awesome musical abilities, it is a controlled and passionate song; it goes beyond the length of a regular song without falling victim to musical over-ambitiousness. Here, Mags’ keyboard creativity makes the song soar. The same can be said -to a slightly lesser degree- about “Out of the Blue Comes Green’, yet in this one, it is Morten’s voice that sells the song.”

2. Scoundrel Days (1986)

“”Scoundrel Days” – Opening with an eerie, repetitive staccato keyboard melody strongly reminiscent of the theme to John Carpenter’s horror film Halloween, the song begins with the narrator waking up suddenly to the sound of “somebody screaming.” In a single stroke, A-ha has shaken off everything their fans had come to love them for in their sunny debut album “Hunting High and Low” and is dragging us down into chilling, unfamiliar territory. The scream’s echo draws the narrator out of his house where the “dark makes no noise” and he runs against his will to the steep hills outside, at which point the drums enter and the song really launches.”

1. Hunting High And Low (1985)

“The debut album released in 1985 by one of the most successful Norwegian pop bands ever is an enjoyable album in various ways. The album produced five singles including TAKE ON ME (#1 in Billboard Hot 100) and THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON TV(#20). While these hits represent dynamic pop appeal of the band well featured in PVs using animation effects, slower tracks like THE BLUE SKY for instance extensively showcases Morten Hackett’s transparent surrealistic voice. The album closes with HERE I STAND AND FACE THE RAIN with enigmatic chorus. Overall this album shows both upbeat and melodic sides of the band excellently.”