"Take on Me" is a song by Norwegian new wave band a-ha. Written by the band… Read Full Bio ↴"Take on Me" is a song by Norwegian new wave band a-ha. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's first studio album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985. The song combines synthpop with a varied instrumentation, which includes acoustic guitars, keyboards, drums and synthesizers.

The original "Take on Me" was recorded in 1984, and took three releases to chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in November 1985. In the United States the song reached the top position of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1985, due in no small part to the wide exposure of its memorable and cutting-edge music video on MTV; directed by Steve Barron, the video features the band in a pencil-sketch animation/live-action combination called rotoscoping. The video won six awards, and was nominated for two others at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

Take On Me
A -ha Lyrics

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We're talking away
I don't know what
I'm to say I'll say it anyway
Today's another day to find you
Shying away
I'll be coming for your love, okay?

Take on me, (take on me)

Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day or two

So needless to say
I'm odds and ends
I'll be stumbling away
Slowly learning that life is OK
Say after me
It's no better to be safe than sorry

Take on me, (take on me)
Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day or two

Oh the things that you say
Is it live or
Just to play my worries away
You're all the things I've got to remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway

Take on me, (take on me)
Take me on, (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day

(Take on me, take on me)
(Take me on, take on me)

I'll be gone (take on me)
In a day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of A-ha's "Take on Me" suggest a romantic pursuit that is met with hesitation and uncertainty. The first stanza sets up the scenario - the two individuals are talking but the singer is unsure of what to say. Despite this, the singer declares that they will speak their mind anyway and that today is another day to find the person they are pursuing. The second stanza provides insight into both the singer's mindset and the pursued individual's resistance. The singer admits to being "odds and ends" and stumbling away, with the implication that their uncertain demeanor is causing the other person to shy away. However, the chorus provides a rallying cry - the singer encourages the other person to take them on, promising to be gone in a day or two.

The bridge of the song is particularly interesting, as it includes some lines that are potentially difficult to interpret. The singer questions whether the other person's words are genuine or just meant to distract them from their worries. Despite this unease, the singer still considers the other person something worth remembering. This sentiment is reiterated in the final stanza, where the singer again assures the other person that they will come for them regardless of their hesitation.

Overall, the lyrics of "Take on Me" present a nuanced portrayal of romantic pursuit that is met with resistance but ultimately perseveres through persistence and a willingness to take risks.

Line by Line Meaning

We're talking away
We're having a conversation

I don't know what
I'm not sure what to say

I'm to say I'll say it anyway
I'll speak my mind despite my uncertainty

Today's another day to find you
I have another chance to see you

Shying away
You're avoiding me

I'll be coming for your love, okay?
I'll pursue you romantically, if you're interested

Take on me, (take on me)
Take a chance on me

Take me on, (take on me)
Accept my offer of a relationship

I'll be gone
I'll leave

In a day or two
Soon

So needless to say
It's obvious