Top 10 Best Songs by A-ha

That synthesizer riff... that drum beat... this is the definition of the 1980s. But it is more than just a fun tune. The lyrics are a pleading request for a chance in love. And then that chorus. Morten Harket climbs the scale until he reaches an inhuman high note. The recent acoustic version proved that underneath the synthpop is a heartbreaking beautiful song hidden. Timeless magic.

A masterpiece of atmosphere. The soft synthesizer sounds and acoustic guitar take you to the fjords. Morten Harket shows here what a fantastic singer he is. The song breathes a deep calm and longing. "There's no end to the lengths I'll go to." It is romantic without being saccharine. A campfire song that conquered the world.

The follow-up to 'Take On Me', and perhaps a better song. It begins as a dramatic ballad and explodes into an epic synthpop track. The wall of sound is overwhelming. "Touch me!" screams Harket. It is about the fear that real life can never be as beautiful as on television. Grand, theatrical, and compelling.

Their James Bond theme song. It is one of the best Bond songs ever: exciting, mysterious, and pop-perfect. The synthesizer riff is unforgettable. Morten sings with an urgency that suits a spy film. Despite the dispute with composer John Barry during recording, the result is a timeless classic that perfectly combines suspense and melody.

One of their most underrated singles. The drums are hard and aggressive, the guitars sharp. It is about realizing that a relationship is crumbling while you stand by. "I can still hear our screams competing." It is raw and honest. The energy is nervous and rushed. A great pop-rock song with a dark edge.

The title track of their third album. A sprawling ballad that sounds like an endless highway through a snowy landscape. The mood is cold, but the message is warm: I stay with you no matter what happens. The late 80s production is full of synths and echo. A song to drift away to and find comfort in.

A cover of the Everly Brothers, but A-ha turned it into a dark, atmospheric powerballad. It sounds like a storm overdoing it. Harket's voice is deep and full of emotion. The production is grand and echoing. It is about hiding your tears and your pain. A perfect soundtrack for a lonely autumn day.

The comeback single after years of silence. Famous for that one note Morten Harket holds for 20 seconds, a record in pop music. The strings are dramatic and compelling. It is about the transience of summer and love. It proved in one blow that A-ha was still relevant and that Harket's voice had lost nothing of its power.

A song with two sides. The verses are soft and dreamy, with a typical synthpop feel. But the chorus breaks open with hard guitars and an unexpected 6/4 time signature. It is a farewell song to a city and a loved one. Morten sings with intense despair. It shows the experimental, rocking side of the band.