Favorite "Sun" Songs #9 - "The Sun Always Shines on TV"

@teamfreak16 (43677)
Denver, Colorado
May 14, 2017 5:55pm CST
I've been writing about death for about two weeks now, so I figured I'd balance all that gloom out with a sunnier theme. We are at #9 in my Favorite "Sun" Songs series: "The Sun Always Shines on TV" by a-ha. If you know anything about Norwegian synth pop band a-ha, you probably remember their 1985 hit "Take on Me," and it's clever, animated accompanying video. They are, however, in the Norwegian Music Hall of Fame, have sold over 100 million records worldwide, and are the only non-British/non-American act to record a James Bond theme. In 1991, the band set a Guinness World Record for largest paying audience at a pop concert (198,000) in Rio de Janeiro. Vocalist Morten Harket also holds a Guinness Record for longest live note held, at 22 seconds. "The Sun Always Shines on TV" was the third single from the band's 1985 international smash debut album, Hunting High and Low. While not considered as popular as "Take on Me," it did chart in 17 countries, reaching Top 10 in 13 of those (it peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.) Counting a live version 2003 release, the song has sold over five million copies worldwide, two million less than "Take on Me." Which is odd to me, because as far as I'm concerned, "The Sun Always Shines on TV" is the superior song. This is synth pop at it's finest. The video might not be as memorable, but it's the better tune. (Info verified by Wikipedia)
This was a-ha's second hit record, and the first #1 in the UK. The original version made #20 on the US charts, the highest charting since "Take On Me" was #1...
9 people like this
6 responses
• Banks, Oregon
16 May 17
A-HA is a very great band this is a good one not quite Take on Me's popularity though.
1 person likes this
• Banks, Oregon
16 May 17
@teamfreak16 it's hard to say but both are very good
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
@chrissbergstrom - Music is just personal preference as it is. I just happen to like this one better. Overall, they are a great band.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
16 May 17
Definitely not quite as popular, but I do think it's the better song.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 May 17
This made my day Scott! I do remember it and very well. Loved Aha. Still do, wonder what they are doing now?
1 person likes this
• United States
15 May 17
@teamfreak16 I must have a look for them thanks.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
Other than a couple hiatuses, they are still at it.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
@TiarasOceanView - Their last album was released in 2015.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86910)
• United States
15 May 17
I have to agree with you about "The Sun Always Shines on TV." For a long time I thought it might be that I'd just heard/seen "Take On Me" way too much. No, it really is the better song.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
It's the same thing with "Favourite Shirts" by Haircut 100, albeit on a lesser scale, hit-wise.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86910)
• United States
15 May 17
@teamfreak16 -- I'd also throw "Space Age Love Song" by A Flock of Seagulls (speaking of haircuts ) in the mix.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
@FourWalls - Oh, without a doubt the better song.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
15 May 17
Double thumbs up! Great synthpop from a great 80s band.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
It's definitely one of my favorite synth pop songs.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
24 May 17
I had this as a 45 in high school, but loved this track on the B side. I don't know that it was on the Hunting High And Low album at the time.
a-ha Driftwood Produced by Alan Tarney Additional Production and Mixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero at Mediasound, NYC
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@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
24 May 17
It would have made a great Simple Minds song. Good stuff.
1 person likes this
@dragon68 (757)
15 May 17
I like a-ha's song "Take On Me" and its video.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43677)
• Denver, Colorado
15 May 17
Did you ever see the Family Guy episode where Chris ends up inside that video? Pretty funny.