a-ha’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2025]

Take on Me (Kygo Remix)a-ha29rank/position

Take on Me (Kygo Remix)

A quintessential hit of the ’80s, a-ha’s “Take On Me.” I bet many of you have heard it.

The arrangement instantly makes you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a tropical paradise the moment you press play.

It’s a delightful track that lets you enjoy the song in a different way from the exhilaration of the original! If you don’t know it, you’ve got to give it a listen.

The tropical vibe, along with the gently soothing tones, is truly pleasant.

The Living Daylightsa-ha30rank/position

The Living Daylights • Theme Song • A-ha

The James Bond film series is still loved by many people today.

Did you know that a-ha once produced one of its theme songs? a-ha handled the theme for the 15th film in the series, The Living Daylights.

The song shares the same title, The Living Daylights.

Now that you mention it, doesn’t the track sound more tense than usual? The intro in particular feels very much crafted with the film in mind.

Be sure to check out the special movie-collaboration music video, too!

The Sun Always Shines on T.V.a-ha31rank/position

a-ha – The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (Official Video)

Also known by its Japanese title “Shine On TV,” “The Sun Always Shines on T.

V.” was the single released after “Take On Me,” and it’s a hugely popular number that can be counted among early a-ha’s signature songs, having topped the charts in the UK and Japan.

It’s fantastic in that quintessential “THE 80’S” way: starting like a ballad with weighty piano accompaniment and standout vocals, then unfolding into a flashy sound driven by a 16-beat danceable rhythm, alluring synths, and a guitar with a strong rock edge roaring to life.

Interestingly, U2—the Irish-born heroes and globally renowned rock band—reportedly drew inspiration from “The Sun Always Shines on T.

V.” when crafting their 2000 classic “Beautiful Day.” With that anecdote in mind, it might be fun to listen to both tracks side by side and compare!

The Wakea-ha32rank/position

A-ha – The Wake (Cast in Steel)

The album Cast in Steel, released with great anticipation by a-ha after their 2015 reunion, features a particularly popular track among fans: The Wake.

Although it appears as the third track on the album, the first and second tracks had their music videos released before the album came out, so listeners encountering the third track for the first time may have felt especially moved—perhaps one reason for its popularity.

The song also has a strong ’90s synth-pop feel, which likely resonated even more with longtime fans.

If you’re just starting to explore a-ha’s music, I recommend listening to their albums in chronological order to experience a similar sense of excitement.

Train Of Thoughta-ha33rank/position

a-ha – Train Of Thought (Official Video)

Released in 1985, Train of Thought is A-ha’s fourth single.

It was a hit that sold 500,000 copies worldwide, so many of you have probably heard it.

At the beginning, there’s the sound of a train running, in keeping with the title.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s a song about trains.

“Train of Thought” means a chain or sequence of thoughts, and the song’s content is quite philosophical.

In other words, the train sounds at the start were a playful touch.

You Are The Onea-ha34rank/position

a-ha – You Are the One (Official Video)

Among a-ha’s songs, “You Are The One” stands out as the most exhilarating.

Its melody has a curious power that sticks in your head after just one listen.

It’s also notable for featuring many high notes.

The track was included on their third album, “Stay on These Roads,” and was later remixed and released as a single.

The music video, which follows the band around New York, perfectly matches the song’s sense of speed, so I highly recommend checking it out.

a-ha THE MOVIEa-ha35rank/position

Opens Fri, 5/20: “a-ha THE MOVIE” — a-ha visits Japan! Japan in a frenzy! | Main feature clip

a-ha is a synth-pop band formed in 1982 by members from Norway.

They have worked on the soundtracks of numerous productions, including global hits like La La Land and Deadpool 2.

Their documentary film is a-ha THE MOVIE, which captures the band’s journey from the members’ first encounters and their rapid rise to stardom in the 1980s, through their breakup, reunion, and continued success.

The film is rich with highlights, including footage from their concerts in Japan and interviews that delve into the relationships among the three members.