October 6 marks exactly four decades since A-ha released ‘Scoundrel Days’, the pivotal second album that cemented their status far beyond the breakout pop success of their debut. Issued on 6 October 1986, the record shifted more than six million copies worldwide and proved the Norwegian band were serious studio craftsmen willing to take creative risks.
by Paul Cashmere
Following the global impact of ‘Hunting High And Low’ in 1985, expectations for a second album were immense. Rather than repeating their bright pop formula, A-ha decamped to RG Jones Recording Studios in Wimbledon, South-West London. Working alongside producer Alan Tarney, who had previously helmed their defining hits ‘Take On Me’ and ‘The Sun Always Shines On T.V.’, the band crafted a moodier, more complex collection of songs.
The creative dynamics within the group shifted significantly for the project. Vocalist Morten Harket stepped back from songwriting entirely. This left guitarist Pål Waaktaar and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen to compose the entire record. Pål and Magne also took the production reins themselves for three of the tracks, shaping the sonic direction of ‘I’ve Been Losing You’, ‘Maybe, Maybe’ and ‘Soft Rains Of April’.
Technologically, the album serves as a masterclass in mid-eighties electronic production. The recording sessions relied heavily on the emerging hardware of the era. The Roland Juno 60 synthesiser was used to build the opening of ‘Manhattan Skyline’, echoing the same instrument used to create the famous ‘Take On Me’ riff.
The signature textures of the title track and ‘The Swing Of Things’ were extracted from a PPG Wave, while the heavy drum programming and atmospheric sound effects were drawn from a Fairlight CMI.
This experimental approach to production peaked with ‘Manhattan Skyline’.
Released as the fourth single from the album, the song peaked at number 13 on the United Kingdom singles chart. Magne later described the track as one of the most inspired cut and paste projects he and Pål ever attempted. The keyboardist wrote the calm, melodic opening section in F major, while Pål composed the sudden, hard rock style chorus featuring a heavy guitar riff in D minor. They stitched the two contrasting pieces together to create one of the most musically ambitious moments in their catalogue.
The album also delivered significant commercial milestones. The lead single ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ became a major hit across Europe, reaching number eight in the United Kingdom and claiming the number one spot in Norway and Denmark.
The second single, ‘Cry Wolf’, carried a unique personal connection for the band. The lyrics, referencing a dream about a wolf upon leaving the city, were credited to Lauren Savoy, who would later marry Pål. The song was accompanied by a music video filmed at the Chateau de Couches in Burgundy, France, directed by Steve Barron and loosely based on the fable of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. It also marked the final time A-ha entered the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, peaking at number 50.
The striking visual aesthetic of ‘Scoundrel Days’ further distanced the band from typical pop imagery. The cover photography was captured by Norwegian photographer Knut Bry in 1986. Instead of a standard studio portrait, the band were photographed at the Haleakala volcano on Maui, Hawaii, providing a dramatic visual match for the darker tones of the music.
Music critics and fans alike have re-evaluated the album in the years since its release. While some contemporary reviewers missed the immediate pop hooks of their debut, retrospective assessments highlight the brilliance of the record. The opening one-two punch of the title track and ‘The Swing Of Things’ is often cited as a high point in 1980s music. The title track perfectly framed Morten Harket’s soaring vocal range against a crisp, pristine musical backdrop, while the moody arrangement of ‘The Swing Of Things’ demonstrated a lyrical depth that surprised many.
The ongoing reverence for the record was highlighted in 2010 when ‘Scoundrel Days’ was expanded and remastered as a deluxe edition. This reissue included a wealth of extended versions, demos and live recordings from Croydon. The deluxe release performed strongly, debuting at number 36 on the Billboard Top Internet Sales chart in the United States and re-entering the charts in Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Four decades later, ‘Scoundrel Days’ stands as the bridge between the instant pop appeal of A-ha’s early career and the mature, melancholy synth-pop they would continue to explore for decades. The album achieved Platinum status in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Brazil, securing their place as a legacy act with a catalogue that continues to endure.
Track Listing
1. “Scoundrel Days”
2. “The Swing of Things”
3. “I’ve Been Losing You”
4. “October”
5. “Manhattan Skyline”
6. “Cry Wolf”
7. “We’re Looking for the Whales”
8. “The Weight of the Wind”
9. “Maybe, Maybe”
10. “Soft Rains of April”
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