Question 1

True or false: The band's name 'A-ha' was chosen because it's a short, internationally recognizable expression of surprise.

Accepted Answer

True. Morten Harket said they wanted a name that was easy to remember worldwide, and 'aha' is a universal exclamation of discovery.

Question 2

True or false: The band originally formed under the name 'Bridges' before changing to A-ha.

Accepted Answer

False. They were originally called 'Bridges' in 1982, but quickly changed to A-ha after a friend suggested it, not before any releases.

Question 3

True or false: A-ha's 'Take On Me' was originally released as a slow, synth-heavy ballad before being re-recorded.

Accepted Answer

True. The first version of 'Take On Me' (1984) was slower and less polished; it flopped, so they re-recorded it with a faster tempo and signature synth hook.

Question 4

True or false: The music video for 'Take On Me' was the first ever to use rotoscoping combined with live action.

Accepted Answer

False. Rotoscoping had been used in films since the 1910s; A-ha's video popularized the pencil-sketch effect but wasn't the first.

Question 5

True or false: A-ha's album 'Hunting High and Low' was entirely written and produced by the band members themselves.

Accepted Answer

False. The album was produced by Tony Mansfield and Alan Tarney, with songwriting contributions from outside writers like Paul Waaktaar-Savoy.

Question 6

True or false: Morten Harket was originally a graphic designer before pursuing music full-time.

Accepted Answer

True. Before A-ha, Morten studied and worked in graphic design, and his visual skills influenced the band's iconic album art and music videos.

Question 7

True or false: A-ha has never performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert, despite being Norwegian.

Accepted Answer

False. They actually performed at the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, honoring the UN and Kofi Annan.

Question 8

True or false: A-ha's lead singer Morten Harket once held the record for the longest sustained note in a hit single.

Accepted Answer

True. In 'Summer Moved On' (2000), Morten held a note for 20.2 seconds, a Guinness World Record for longest vocal note in a single.

A-ha Trivia Questions