Take On Me: The Story Behind A-ha's Record Label and Warner Bros. Success
"Take On Me" was originally released through Warner Bros. Records, which served as a-ha's primary record label during their most successful period. The Norwegian synth-pop band signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1984, marking a significant turning point in their career.
The song's journey to success wasn't immediate. The first version was released in 1984 under the name "Lesson One" but didn't gain much traction. After reworking the track with producer Alan Tarney, the band re-released it through Warner Bros. Records in 1985, and this version became the global hit we know today.
Warner Bros. Records played a crucial role in the song's promotion and distribution, particularly in the United States market. The label's marketing strategy, combined with the revolutionary rotoscoped music video, helped propel "Take On Me" to the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100.
The single was also released through Warner Music internationally, with different regional subsidiaries handling distribution in various markets. In the UK, for instance, it was released through Warner Bros. Records UK, while in Germany, it was distributed by WEA Records.
After their initial success with Warner Bros. Records, a-ha remained with the label for several years, releasing multiple albums including their debut "Hunting High and Low" (1985), which featured "Take On Me." The band's relationship with Warner Bros. continued through much of their early career, contributing significantly to their international success.
Today, the master recordings of "Take On Me" remain under the ownership of Warner Music Group, though the band has since worked with other labels for their more recent releases. The song continues to generate revenue through streaming platforms and licensing deals, all managed through Warner's distribution networks.
Fun fact: The actual record pressings of "Take On Me" were manufactured at various Warner Bros. facilities worldwide, with different catalog numbers depending on the country of release. The US pressing, for example, carried the catalog number 7-29083.