A-ha - A Guilty Pleasure

 

It's iconic eighties synth-pop but it always leaves me with a smile. I remember coming home from school and turning on Much Music just to watch.  I was spellbound by the distinct animation flow and the overly aggressive motorcycle racers/mechanics.  

There were even a few lyrics that spoke to my mental health.  From what I understand, my interpretation was not what was intended by Pal, Morten and Magne but it's what I hear every time I listen. 

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 on me, (take on me) I'll be gone in a day or two

Of course the follow up single, the Sun Always Shines on TV was just as exciting for me with it's somber tone and troubled lyrics. According to the song writer (Pal Waaktaar), the song is about the power of television and the way television presents life.  Again my relationship with the lyrics is more personal. Below I've bolded the words which resonate the most with my inner mind.  Don't forget to watch the music video below.

Touch me How can it be Believe me The sun always shines on T.V Hold me Close to your heart Touch me And give all your love to me To me... I Reached inside myself And found nothing there To ease the pressure off My ever worried mind All my powers waste away I fear the crazed and lonely looks The mirror's sending me These Days Touch me How can it be Believe me The sun always shines on T.V Hold me Close to your heart Touch me And give all your love to me Please don't ask me to defend The shameful lowlands Of the way I'm drifting Gloomily through time (Touch me) I reached inside myself today (Give all your love) Thinking there's got to be some way To keep my troubles distant Hold me Close to your heart Touch me And give all your love to me

The unplugged version ft. Ingrid Helene Håvik is awesome too!