Before I get into my AHA story, who and what decides a one hit wonder. A few years back OPRAH had a show about this subject and her producers called up RICK SPRINGFIELD (17 top 40 singles) Rick politely declined stating that he still records and if the producers would check I have had alot more than 1 hit. AHA by USA terms is a One hit wonder in this country because they had only 1 other top 40 hit. I usually hate these VH1 and MTV shows that talk about one hit wonders especially when the bands still record and are really popular everywhere but here. AHA has had a steady run in other countries and the UK, they are HUGE in Germany and obviously NORWAY, and tremendous in Spain. To date they have 8 studio CDs, one BEST of Compilation, many solo projects for each member, but ONE hit in The US, well actually 2. Their second single after TAKE ON ME, called THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES on TV peaked at Number 20. But since then AHA has charted only 3 more singles and hasnt had a CD out in this country (non Import) since 1993's MEMORIAL BEACH. After 1994 AHA took off for 6 years and worked SOLO, but in 2000 they recorded THE BEST CD of that Year (sorryU2) it was called MINOR EARTH MAJOR SKY, it easily could be marketed here, with bands like COLDPLAY and RADIOHEAD who are really borrowing alot of AHA's sound that they created back on 1990's CD East Of the SUn West Of the Moon. But of course america as usual missed the boat on that CD. Now In 2002, AHA has once again done it with their new CD LIFELINES, their is more diversity and changes on this CD than in all American Music over the last 20 years. And as usual AHA is touring everywhere but here playing sold out venues and stadiums, and also making the BEST VIDEOS STILL. The reason I talk it up about this Band is basically because Im tired of the Nickelbacks, Linkin Parks, Default, POD, Puddle of Mudd, Creed sounding bands. They are all Pearl Jam with better looking members. Still Europe is way ahead of US in Artists, better quality, better and different sounds. And also in these countries where AHA is big, their is only 1 Chart, not like the US, where there are at least 100 different Billboard charts. So some band can say I had a Number one single on the Rock Chart for Songs Played during a Full Moon. There is no competition in the US music, everyone is pretty much the same. Sure occasionally a RYAN ADAMS or NORAH JONES will slip through but it doesnt seem to happen often.

Your name wouldn't be Brandon would it? I used to know a guy named Brandon who just LOVED A-ha.

Oh please lastdecember don't exagGerate! Aha had certainly some quality but they were mostly a 80s boys band.

wow lastdecember really loves him some AHA...sorry but i only remeber the song take on me...

the video to take on me was the coolest, like totally rad

I also remember a cool video for a song that I think was called "The sun always shines on TV". Is this indeed the name of the song?

AHA was marketed as a Pretty Boy Band but they went off that POP sound on CD number 2. The biggest problem with AHA was The Fact that they had a BIG HIT and GREAT VIDEO that still hasnt been outdone. The problem is America cant forget their hit, AHA isnt stuck in the time warp, The industry thinking is. If AHA came back here, they would probably have to change the name of the band to get noticed, or they would have to do TAKE ON ME the 2002 JaRULE remix to get noticed. I dont really care if AHA can sell here, doesnt matter, they sell everywhere else. I just would like their cd's put out here, not that I mind Looking for Imports, but i think alot of People would be surprised what they heard if they opened their Ears and minds. And if that happened maybe they could play shows here, right now AHA cant play here, because financially it wouldnt be smart. It costs alot of money to bring your whole TOUR from UK to the US and then hope that people show up. And when your CDs arent released here anymore what hope do U have. For the Record AHA was featured on the Sountrack to ONE NIGHT AT MaCCOOLS with LIV TYLER, and their Award winning Video VELVET is featured on that DVD.

lastdecember said:

I love it...the JaRule remix...that cooment is so sad but so true

I still have the casettes of 'Hunting High and Low' and 'Scoundrel Days' and love them both.

I'll have to check out the newer material next time i'm import shoppin, it sounds very interesting...

I think it is funny how some people only see them as an old boy band.

For a start, they write and perform all their material. So I don't believe they should ever have been put in that bracket. The problem was, they were good looking guys in the 80s and made a few "pop" records. Countries like the US forgot them the moment they progressed their music.

Saying AHA are really a boy band, is like saying Prince only made rock music, and after purple rain, he never really did anything.

AHA got better and better with age.

If anyone wants to hear what they now get upto, I suggest you buy "Minor Earth, Major Sky". or at the very least, try downloading the following songs:

"Seemingly Non stop July"
"Locust" (recorded at Paisley Park)
"Minor Earth Major Sky"
"You'll never get over me"
"Lifelines"
"You wanted more"

AHAs latest album has taken a very novel approach. They gave 14 demo tapes to a bunch of their favourite producers and asked them to produce 3 of their choice. The result is an album with many different styles.

I would love to see Prince give that a go!

Prince could take a leaf out of AHAs book. They stayed with Warner, now get to keep their masters and quietly go about their business, selling millions of albums, selling out all their shows, without ever going near the charts!

If you get a chance to see AHA, go, the concert is fantastic. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and it was a big party.

squish said:

yes it was.I recall seeing a Michael Jackson Special&somebody did something along those lines with "Human nature" in the same Effect.Incubus there Video&Song that came out last Year kinda Reminds me of A-Ha for some strange Reason? A-Ha was a decent Mellow type of Band for there time Period.there were quite a few Acts like that back then around.

I haven't heard of A-Ha in a long time! I used to love that video, too (take me on)...oh the memories!