主唱 Morten Harket 跟其他兩位團員首次合作的第一件事情,是聽他們玩著一首名為「Lesson One」的歌曲,他加入這首歌曲後將此歌改名為「Take On Me」,經過幾次錄音和兩次失敗的發行 (1984年首發僅售出300張),一年後遇上製作人 Alan Tarney 將之重新包裝製作首張專輯「Hunting High And Low」,竟然創下全球單月銷售一千五百萬張的驚人數字,同時在美國不但榮登排行榜第一名,在英國也登上排行榜第二名,更因為該專輯歌曲 MTV 首創以素描結合動畫的特殊手法製作,總計有8首歌曲 MTV 獲得1986年美國MTV音樂獎「最佳 MTV 獎」殊榮,使得聲勢扶搖直上的 a-ha,除了「葛萊美最佳新人獎」之外再添一項紀錄。
a-ha (Morten Harket, Take On Me Music Video, 1985)
Hunting High And Low(1985)
Here I am and within the reach of my hand she's sound asleep And she's sweeter now than the wildest dream. Could have seen her and I watch her slipping away
But I know I'll be hunting high and low high - There's no end to the lenghts I'll go to hunting high and low high - There's no end to the lenghts I'll go to find her again.
Upon this my dreams are depending through the dark I sense the pounding of her heart next to mine. She's the sweetest love I could find
So I guess I'll be hunting high and low high - There's no end to the lenghts I'll go to high and low high - Do you know what it means to love you?
I'm hunting high and low And now she's telling me she's got to go away. I'll always be hunting high and low only for you
Watch me tearing myself to pieces hunting high and low high - There's no end to the lenghts I'll go to For you I'll be hunting high and low
在第二張專輯「Scoundrel Days」裡,成就如日中天的 a-ha 開始嘗試不同樂風的搖滾;1987年更受邀演唱 007 電影系列「黎明生機」主題曲「The Living Daylights」並收錄於1988年第三張專輯「Stay On These Roads」之中,這張專輯更臻成熟地使用了混音技術加上獨特的搖滾風格,使得同名主打歌「Stay On These Roads」一岀,銷售數字直衝五百萬張以上。
Stay On These Roads (1988)
Stay On These Roads (1988)
The cold has a voice It talks to me Stillborn, by choice It airs no need to hold
Old man feels the cold... Oh baby don't 'cause I've been told
Stay on these roads We shall meet, I know Stay on...my love We shall meet, I know I know
Where joy should reign These skies restrain 'Shadow your love...' The voice trails off again
Old man feels the cold Oh baby don't 'cause I've been told
Stay on these roads We shall meet, I know Stay on...my love
You feel so weak, be strong Stay on, stay on We shall meet, I know I know I know, my love, I know
1998年,再度聚首於 Nobel Peace Prize concert 的三人,將之前彼此相處的陰霾及種種心情化為文字,草草寫下了這首「Summer Moved On」;直到2000年發行「Minor Earth | Major Sky」專輯時,才將它重新編製收錄在專輯裡,更遠赴西班牙 Cadiz 拍攝該曲 MTV,雖然這張專輯一推出便在歐洲及加拿大都登上第一名,但在美國卻乏人問津,實在可惜!
這首歌,獻給宇宙星辰中,一夜無眠喝著小酒、隱匿寂寞等待日出的朋友~~~
Summer Moved On(2000)
Summer moved on And the way it goes You can't tag along
Honey moved out And the way it went Leaves no doubt
Moments will pass In the morning light I found out
Seasons can't last And there's one thing Left to ask
Stay, don't just walk away And leave me another day A day just like today With nobody else around
Friendships move on Until the day You can't get along
Handshakes unfold And the way it goes No one knows
Moments will pass In the morning light I found out
Seasons can't last So there's just one thing Left to ask
Stay, don't just walk away And leave me another day A day just like today
Stay, don't just walk away With nobody else around
Seasons can't last And there's just one thing Left to ask
Stay, don't just walk away And leave me another day A day just like today
Stay, don't just walk away With nobody else around Summer moved on
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, OK?
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 But 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 life 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 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... (take me on)
Take on me (take on me) Take on me (take me on) Take on me (*)
Adelina Patti - The Last Rose of Summer(1905) Words by Thomas Moore in 1805 Melody by John Stevenson in 1807
'Tis the last rose of summer 這是夏日最後的玫瑰 Left blooming alone 獨自綻放著 All her lovely companions 她所有可愛的同伴 Are faded and gone 都已凋落殘逝 No flower of her kindred 沒有一朵同類的花 No rose-bud is nigh 沒有玫瑰花苞在旁邊 to reflect back her blushes 來映照她的紅潤 Or give sigh for sigh 或分擔她的憂愁
I'll not leave thee, thou lone one 我不會離開孤零零的妳 To pine on the stem 讓妳獨自憔悴 Since the lovely are sleeping 既然美麗的同伴都已長睡 Go, sleep thou with them 去吧, 和她們同睡吧 thus kindly I scatter 所以我溫柔地在花床上 Thy leaves o'er the bed 舖散著妳的葉子 Where thy mates of the garden 那兒也是妳花園裡的同伴 Lie scentless and dead 無聲無息躺著的地方
Soon may I follow 不久後我也可能追隨朋友而去 When friendships decay 當友誼漸漸消退 And from Love's shining circle 如同從愛的閃耀光環中 The gems drop away 墜落的寶石 When true hearts lie withered 當真心枯萎 And fond ones are flown 心愛的人不再 O!who would inhabit 啊!誰還願獨留在 This bleak world alone? 這荒冷的世上悽涼?
這首「The Last Rose of Summer」是愛爾蘭詩人 Thomas Moore (1779-1852) 於1805年在居住的 County Kilkenny 一座名為「Jenkinstown Park」的公園裡所寫的一首詩文,1807年知名作曲家 John Stevenson (1761-1833) 將這首詩賦以優美的旋律,並收錄在 Moore 的一張「Irish Melodies」(愛爾蘭民謠名曲)當中發行;孟德爾也曾經頌以此歌,寫了一首鋼琴曲「Fantasy on "The Last Rose of Summer" for piano in E major, Op. 15.」。但這首歌曲的真正流傳開來,是直到20世紀初期,由 Charlotte Church and the Irish Tenors 演唱後大受歡迎,後來1947年因歌劇「Martha」使用起,方成為不朽的經典歌曲。
Wendy Matthews 在15歲還在學校期間時便加入了朋友組的「Little Benny Blues Band」樂團(後來改名為「Little Benny Park」),16歲離開學校後和幾位好友前往北美,她為自己找到一個跟音樂相關的工作;直到1983年,澳洲樂團「Little River Band」當時的主唱 Glenn Shorrock 請她以幕後主合聲的身分一起到澳洲巡迴演唱,Wendy Matthews 就此長留在澳洲發展演唱事業,擔任合聲與配唱、演唱電影歌曲的音樂工作,直到1990年才發行個人首張專輯「Émigré」,而從此開始直到2001年之間,幾乎每隔一、兩年,她總共有七次獲得澳洲唱片工業協會(ARIA, Australian Recording Industry Association)提名,六次得獎的紀錄。
這一首「The Day You Went Away」於1992年發行,1993年獲得年度最佳單曲、最佳銷售單曲,(專輯「Lily」獲得最佳專輯):
Wendy Matthews - The Day You Went Away (1992)
Hey, does it ever make you wonder what's on my mind I, I was only ever running to your side I never cried, I just watched my life go by It's just a pack of lies, 'cause you're leaving me behind Why, after this long is there nothing I'll keep, oh, I can shout you'll pretend you're falling asleep I live a lie, yeah, believing that you're mine It's just a waste of time 'cause you're leaving me behind
Hey, there's not a cloud in the sky It's as blue as your goodbye and I thought it would rain on a day like today Hey, there's not a cloud in sight it's as blue as your blue goodbye and I thought it would rain the day you went away
Hey, does it ever make you wonder what's on my mind I was only ever running back to your side Hey, there's not a cloud in the sky it's as blue as your goodbye and I thought it would rain on a day like today
Hey, there's not a cloud in sight it's as blue as your blue goodbey and I thought it would rain the day you went away He's on the buses, and the aeroplanes with some groceries and a sleeping bag....
專輯曲目
01. Friday's Child 02. Walk Away 03. T.K.O. 04. Mother Can't Do 05. Quiet Art 06. The Day You Went Away 07. If Only I Could 08. Homecoming Song by Suzannah Castaway 09. Face of Appalachia 10. Naming Names 11. Inexorably Yours Wendy Matthews 所有專輯與曲目列表可參考這裡。
本名 Kenneth Brian Edmonds 的 Babyface (娃娃臉),曾經是90'年代初期和中期最為成功的歌曲創作人和製作人,不僅在包括葛萊美獎在內的各式音樂獎上大有斬獲,也曾經成功為Boyz II Men(大人小孩雙拍檔)、TLC、唐妮布蕾斯頓、惠妮休斯頓、瑪麗亞凱莉作嫁,更以一首東方情調的「Take A Bow」,成為瑪丹娜排行成績最佳的歌曲。以R&B為主調,遊走於當代爵士的風格之間,「娃娃臉風格」成為一種90'年代最具有現代都會氣質的音樂。
Babyface & Stevie Wonder - Hoe Come, How Long (1996) written by Babyface, Stevie Wonder
There was a girl I used to know She was oh so beautiful But she's not here anymore She had a college degree Smart as anyone could be She had so much to live for But she fell in love With the wrong kinda man He abused her love and treated her so bad There was not enough education in her world That could save the life of this little girl
How come, how long It's not right, it's so wrong Do we let it just go on Turn our backs and carry on Wake up, for it's too late Right now, we can't wait She won't have a second try Open up your hearts As well as your eyes
She tried to give a cry for help She even blamed things on herself But no one came to her aid Nothing was wrong as far as we could tell That's what we'd like to tell ourselves But no, it wasn't that way So she fell in love With the wrong kinda man And she paid with her life For loving that man So we cannot ignore We must look for the signs And maybe next time We might save somebody's life
How come, how long It's not right, it's so wrong Do we let it just go on Turn our backs and carry on Wake up, for it's too late Right now, we can't wait She won't have a second try Open up your hearts As well as your eyes
I on occasion met that guy He stirred up bad feelings deep inside Something about him wasn't right The way he proves himself a man By beatin' his woman with his hands Oh I wish she'd seen the light How can someone like that Call himself a man In reality he's far more less than that And we cannot ignore Whenever we see the signs 'Cause any kinda of abuse God knows is a crime
How come, how long It's not right, it's so wrong Do we let it just go on Turn our backs and carry on Wake up, for it's too late Right now, we can't wait She won't have a second try Open up your hearts As well as your eyes 我曾經認識一個女孩 她是多麼地美麗 但她已不在人世 她有著大學文憑 跟每個人一樣的聰慧 她有許多可以享受生活的理由 但是她戀愛了 愛錯了對象 他濫用她的愛情而且對待她極差 在她的世界裡面卻沒有足夠的教育 能夠解救這個女孩的生命
這首歌曲是描寫在一個小鎮裡,有個名叫瓊妮的女孩,她從小就暗戀隔壁的大哥哥吉米。有一天瓊妮寫了封信給吉米,告訴他,她總有一天會長大,會永遠愛他。然而吉米看了信之後只是笑笑帶過,他說:「瓊妮別哭,有天妳會把我忘記。妳現在才15歲,而我已經22歲了,我實在沒有辦法等妳長大。」 不久後,吉米在別的地方找到一份工作。隨著時間輾轉過去,他最後才發覺自己原來是喜歡瓊妮的,於是他收拾行囊回到故鄉,回家之後立刻去找瓊妮,只是她這時已經嫁人了,最後換她安慰他:「吉米別哭,有天你會把我忘記。自從你離去以後,已經過了5年。吉米,我已經嫁給你最要好的朋友,約翰。」 (Joni) ''Jimmy, please say you'll wait for me I'll grow up someday you'll see Saving all my kisses just for you Signed with love forever true.'' "吉米,請告訴我你會等我 總有一天我會長大 我所有的吻都只留給你 和我的愛一起永誌不渝"
(Conway) Joni was the girl who lived next door I've known her I guess ten years or more Joni wrote me a note one day And this is what she had to say. 瓊妮是鄰家的一位女孩 我想我認識她應該超過十幾年了 有天瓊妮寫了張紙條給我 而內容就是這樣
(Joni) ''Jimmy, please say you'll wait for me I'll grow up someday you'll see Saving all my kisses just for you Signed with love forever true.'' "吉米,請告訴我你會等我 總有一天我會長大 我所有的吻都只留給你 和我的愛一起永誌不渝 "
(Conway) Slowly I read her note once more Then I went over to the house next door Her tear drops fell like rain that day When I told Joni what I had to say. 我再次慢慢地讀著她的字條 然後走到隔壁去 當我告訴瓊妮我內心的話時 那一天她的淚如雨下
(All) ''Joni, Joni please don't cry You'll forget me by and by You're just fifteen, I'm twenty two And Joni, I just can't wait for you.'' "瓊妮,瓊妮,請妳別哭 妳慢慢地就會忘了我的 妳才15歲而我22歲 瓊妮,我是無法等待妳的"
(Conway) Soon I left our little home town Got me a job and tried to settle down But these words kept haunting my memory The words that Joni said to me. 不久後我離開了家鄉 找到了份工作也試著安定下來 但這些字句的回憶縈繞著我 瓊妮對我告白的字字句句
(Joni) ''Jimmy please say you'll wait for me I'll grow up some day you'll see Saving all my kisses just for you Signed with love forever true.'' "吉米,請告訴我你會等我 總有一天我會長大 我所有的吻都只留給你 和我的愛一起永誌不渝"
(Conway) I packed my clothes and I caught a plane I had to see Joni, I had to explain How my heart was filled with her memory And ask my Joni if she'd marry me. 我收拾了衣物,訂了班機 我得見見瓊妮,好好對她解釋 我的心裡是如何充滿著對她的回憶 也問問我的瓊妮是否仍願意嫁給我
I ran all the way to the house next door But things weren't like they were before My tear drops fell like rain that day When I heard what Joni had to say. 我跑過馬路到隔壁房子去 景物依舊如昔 當我聽到瓊妮告訴我的話時 那一天,我的淚如雨下
(Joni) ''Jimmy, Jimmy please don't cry You'll forget me by and by It's been five years since you've been gone Jimmy, I married your best friend John...'' "吉米,吉米,請別哭泣 慢慢地你會忘了我 你離開已經過五年了 吉米,我早已嫁給你最好的朋友約翰了..."
於是在他10歲的時候,他就和人組了個搖滾樂團,12歲搬到 Arkansas 的 Helena 之後,晚上除了與樂團到俱樂部或街角演唱,更在當地電台每週六早上主持自己的個人秀。但是他最大的夢想其實是成為一個棒球選手,高中畢業後曾經加入 Philadelphia Phillies 隊伍打球,卻在球隊即將與他簽約前,被徵募到美國陸軍,開始為軍隊服務,而且演唱起中西部地區那種時而哀傷時而輕鬆的鄉村歌曲。
1958年,他以流行曲風的鄉村單曲「It's Only Make Believe」打入流行榜 (專輯「Sings」在隔年才發行)第一名時,也令他之前的搖滾歌迷們訝異不已,因為他們認識的 Conway Twitty 竟然演唱起鄉村(搖滾) 且歌詞如此打動人心;也由於當時的美國社會風氣保守,Conway Twitty 厚實的嗓音及鏗鏘有力的字眼句句將人們內心的無奈、掙扎、不滿傾瀉出來,於是經常使得他的作品榜上有名,總計擁有55首單曲上榜的輝煌紀錄,傲人的成績更超過 Elvis Presley、Frank Sinatra、The Beatles 及 Garth Brooks。
綜觀來看,Conway Twitty 真的是一位非常有才華且忠於自己的人,隨著興趣走的他從10歲組樂團起便突顯出與同年齡層不同的特質:組團、電台主持、棒球選手、(創作) 歌手,甚至跨足到電視界,有個自己的電視秀,也曾出現在電影「Platinum High School (1960)」、「Sex Kittens Go to College (1960)」及「College Confidential (1960)」,從1993年逝世至今,他的諸多歌曲仍受許多電影人愛戴,經常地使用於電影之中,美國一些唱片公司也仍發行紀念專輯、精選集以緬懷這位20世紀美國樂壇最具影響力的鄉村歌手。