The Sun Always Shines on T.V.

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"The Sun Always Shines on T.V."
Single by a-ha
from the album Hunting High and Low
Released	1985
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	1985
Genre	Synth-pop
Length	5:06
Label	Reprise Records
Writer(s)	Pål Waaktaar
Producer(s)	Alan Tarney
Chart positions
#1 (UK) #2 (SWEDEN) #19 (AUS) #20 (U.S.)
a-ha singles chronology
"Take on Me" (1985)	"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." (1986)	"Train of Thought" (1986)

"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." is a song by Norwegian band a-ha, from their first album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1986. The single sold 5 million copies around the world.

[edit] Music video

The music video opens with a continuation of the "Take on Me" video, featuring rotoscoped animation.

The love story between Morten Harket and Bunty Bailey is given an unexpectedly bitter end. The two lovers are admiring each other in a dark forest when Harket's hand starts reverting to its animated state. Soon enough, his whole body is consumed by the animation. Hunched over, Harket sees his beloved for the last time as she bites her lip, knowing that she will never see him again. After exchanging painful glances, Harket runs into the distance and a blue explosion swallows him up, sending him back to his comic book world. The girl is left all alone in the forest.

Only at this point does the song begin, and the rest of the video has a-ha performing in an English church "accompanied" by mannequins.

• The Norwegian Trash/Black metal band Susperia has covered this song on the Devil May Care EP.
• Delays an indie band formed in Southampton, England covered this song which appeared on a Q magazine Cd

a-ha This box: view • talk • edit

Morten Harket | Magne Furuholmen | Paul Waaktaar-Savoy (also known as Pål Waaktaar)

Discography

Albums: Hunting High and Low | Scoundrel Days | Stay on These Roads | East of the Sun, West of the Moon | Memorial Beach | Minor Earth Major Sky | Lifelines | Analogue

Live albums and compilations: Headlines And Deadlines - The Hits of a-ha | How Can I Sleep With Your Voice In My Head a-ha Live | The Singles: 1984-2004 | The Definitive Singles Collection 1984-2004

Singles: "Take on Me (1st rel)" | "Love Is Reason" | "Take on Me (2nd rel)" | "Take on Me (3rd rel)" | "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." | "Train of Thought" | "Hunting High and Low" | "I've Been Losing You" | "Cry Wolf" | "Maybe Maybe" | "Manhattan Skyline" | "The Living Daylights" | "Stay on These Roads" | "The Blood That Moves The Body" | "Touchy!" | "You Are the One" | "There's Never a Forever Thing (promo)" | "Crying in the Rain" | "I Call Your Name" | "Early Morning" | "Waiting for Her" | "Move to Memphis" | "The Blood That Moves The Body (Remix)" | "Dark Is the Night" | "Angel" | "Lie Down In Darkness" | "Shapes That Go Together" | "Summer Moved On" | "Minor Earth Major Sky" | "Velvet" | "The Sun Never Shone That Day" | "Minor Earth Major Box (4 CD Box set)" | "Forever Not Yours" | "Lifelines" | "Did Anyone Approach You?" | "The Sun Always Shines On T.V. a-ha Live" | "Celice" | "Birthright (promo)" | "Analogue (All I Want)" | "Cosy Prisons"

Preceded by "West End Girls" by Pet Shop Boys

UK number one single January 19, 1986

Succeeded by "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" by Billy Ocean