A-ha’s ‘Take on Me’ Is the First Music Video From the 1980s to Reach 2 Billion YouTube Views

A-ha’s chart-topping hit, “Take on Me” reached two billion YouTube views this week, marking the first song released in that decade to achieve this milestone.

The Norwegian trio — Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, who were 22, 26 and 24, respectively at the time — released their debut album, Hunting High and Low, in 1985, and shot the eye-catching video for lead single “Take On Me.” Directed by Steve Barron (Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”), the clip’s combination of pencil-sketch animation and live action made it popular on MTV, and the track reached No. 1 in its 15th week on the chart, making A-ha the first Norwegian group to top the Hot 100.

Speaking to Billboard back in 2019, Furuholmen paid tribute to the clip’s longevity. “Obviously the video is unique and it has some features that stand up and stand the test of time. It’s hand drawn which makes it what it is,” the keyboardist noted. “The song also seems to resonate with people across time. It’s just very fortunate to have such a big song in our catalogue. We probably spent a few years talking it down, trying to get people to focus on new stuff we’re doing. At this point, certainly speaking for myself, I’m just surprised and proud that the song has done so well and still finds an audience.”

Watch A-ha’s “Take on Me” music video below.