a-ha -- Take On Me (1985)

     There was a day not so long ago that artists from around the world wanted to "make it" in the US music market. Although still true, there are many examples of artists who have become worldwide stars without a lot of help from the American listeners. A-ha is one of those groups. Obviously, "Take On Me" was a huge hit stateside, and it's follow up, "The Sun Always Shines On TV" was also in the top 20. After that however they fell off of the Billboard charts except for one more #50 showing in 1986 ("Cry Wolf")

      The song was released initially in 1984 and went nowhere outside of their native Norway. It was the next year, when coupled with a groundbreaking video directed by Steve Barron using pencil sketch/animation/live action combo called rotoscoping. It shot up #1 and the video still remains a favorite of 80s fans. For the US the ride was short, but in the rest of the world, A-ha was just getting warmed up as the group released a series of singles that went top ten in many markets all the way up to 2000, and even later in Norway and Germany. The group went on a four hiatus in the 90's and then regrouped again until final retirement last year.