Take On Me by A-ha Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Iconic 80s Anthem of Love and Longing

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for A -ha's Take On Me at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

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

A-ha’s ‘Take On Me’ is an enduring piece of 80s pop music history—an effervescent blend of synthpop energy and raw emotional appeal. But beyond its upbeat tempo and infectious melody, the track raises its artistic stakes by weaving a tale of vulnerability and the audacious hope of connection.

With a lyric sheet that seems simple at a glance, ‘Take On Me’ extends an invitation to delve deeper into its core. It’s a composition that encapsulates the complexities of love, risk, and the ephemeral nature of human relationships, establishing a narrative that transcends its decade and continues to resonate with generations.

Diving into the Heartbeat of the ’80s: How ‘Take On Me’ Captures the Era

Transporting listeners to the neon glow of the 1980s, ‘Take On Me’ epitomizes the sonic landscape of a transformative decade. The unmistakable synthesizer riff and Morten Harket’s soaring falsetto define an era of bright colors, larger-than-life dreams, and a mixtape culture ripe with longing.

The song’s exuberance, married to the technological advent of music videos, became a vehicle for storytelling—a mold-breaking format that would become as immortal as the tune itself. ‘Take On Me’ didn’t just capture the zeitgeist; it became a vital thread in the fabric of ’80s pop culture.

Chasing Love Into The Sketchbook: The Hidden Meaning of A-Ha’s Sketch World

The fantastical music video of ‘Take On Me’ presents a literal ‘sketch’ of a romance, wherein the lines between reality and imagination blur. This visual representation is also a metaphor for the song’s deeper meaning: the chase for love, the willingness to be vulnerable, and to leap into the unknown for the sake of connection.

Navigating through the penciled lines, ‘Take On Me’ evolves into a narrative of pursuit, of overcoming barriers, and of the in-between spaces where lovers often find themselves—caught between hesitance and desire, between self-protection and self-exposure.

Articulating the Unspeakable: A Synthesis of Lyrics and Emotion

The opening lines, ‘We’re talking away/I don’t know what/I’m to say I’ll say it anyway,’ underscores the universal struggle of expressing the inexpressible. It’s this emotional sincerity that helps the song resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to articulate feelings of love, encapsulating the moments when the heart speaks a language words can’t quite capture.

Harket’s eventual acquiescence to the uncontrollable facets of love (‘I’ll be coming for your love, okay?’) is a surrender to the inevitability of emotional exposure and the beauty found within that vulnerability.

Memorable Lines Beckoning an Insatiable Nostalgia

‘I’ll be gone/In a day or two’—these lyrics float through the chorus with a haunting impermanence. It’s the fleeting nature of the moment, reminding us that love and life are transitory, creating a sense of urgency in the pursuit of connection.

It’s also a line that instills a lasting nostalgic ache—a reminder of loves lost, opportunities missed, and the swiftness of time. ‘Take On Me’ masters the art of balancing the intoxication of new love with the bittersweet passage of time.

Beyond The Tune: The Echoes of ‘Take On Me’ in Modern Culture

Decades since its release, ‘Take On Me’ persists as a cultural touchstone, reimagined and covered across genres. Its synth riff is instantly recognizable, a trigger for joyous sentimentality and a testament to the song’s longevity.

Moreover, its lyrical blend of romance and whimsy has opened the door for interpretation in various media—from film to television to internet memes—proving that ‘Take On Me’ is not just an 80s relic, but a living anthem of human emotion and artistic inspiration.