Thursday 31 December 2009

The Sun Always Shines On TV (Sample Only)

The Sun Always Shines On TV (Extended Version Edit) by nicholasb

This is a sample of the rarer twelve inch version from 1985. This track is currently not available on CD or download.

The Sun Always Shines On TV (Extended Version)
Written by Paul Waaktaar, Produced by Alan Tarney.
©1985 WEA International Inc. ATV Music.

Wednesday 23 December 2009

BUY THE SINGLE NOW

Please support a-ha and download the Sun Always Shines On TV between now and January 23, 2010 from reputable online music providers (I-Tunes, 7Digital, HMV Downloads, Tesco Digital, TuneTribe - all count towards the official top 40 I believe). I recommend the Hunting high and low album version (5.06)

Please request the song on radio, the video on TV and spread the word.

Facts about the song


An earlier demo called Never Never contains a portion of the Sun always shines on TV.

The song was one of the last recorded for the Hunting high and low album. Morten and Magne were not well at the time and were lying on the studio floor with a fever.

It was included on the album when Warner executive Andrew Wickham's secretary heard it and was convinced it would be a hit.

Paul created the drum track for the song.

The band felt at the time that the Sun always shines on TV was one of the songs that most closely captured the sound they were aiming for.

Paul claimed that a presenter on television said something like '...and as always the sun shines on TV' - which inspired the title of the song.


There are a number of versions of the song released:
  • single edit 1985
  • album version 1985
  • extended version (shorter) 1985
  • extended version (longer - different mix) 1985
  • flexi US dance mix (free with No.1 magazine) 1985
  • disconet mix 1986
  • live version 2003
  • live version (edit) 2003
  • live version (BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce) 2006
Pictures reproduced from Smash Hits 1985

Tuesday 22 December 2009

The Video (Steve Barron, 1985 Warner Bros)

Download The Sun Always Shines On TV

Earlier this year, a-ha achieved their highest chart placement since 1988 with a top 5 album but on 15 October, a-ha announced that after 25 years of releasing music together they would split in 2010 after a farewell world tour.


A-ha shot to fame in 1985 with their single Take on me. It reached the number one spot in 27 countries around the world and along with its innovative video, it remains one of the most iconic records of its time. Take on me was beaten to the top in the UK by Jennifer Rush's Power of love but the follow up The sun always shines on TV made number one in January 1986.


A-ha have had an incredibly successful career. Selling millions of units around the world, winning awards and holding several world records. They are the best selling Norwegian act ever and will probably always hold that title.


Michelle Hare has set up a Facebook group to bring The sun always shines on TV back to the charts as a thank you to a-ha. Details can be found on the link below.


http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159462879132&index=1


Photography: Jonathan Lennard
Design: Jeri McManus Heiden
©Warner 1985