a-ha

It's hard to say which had more of an impact, the single "Take On Me" or its accompanying video. Either way, a-ha's spot in the pantheon of 1980s bubblegum Synth Pop is guaranteed. Composed of an electronic bass-pulse, a clattering drum sound and singer Morten Harket's near-yodel falsetto, the Norwegian trio's sound has 1985 written all over it. Subsequent forays into smooth, adult-oriented love-pop proved unsuccessful in the U.S. and they sank into obscurity. Nevertheless, the band is featured on virtually any collection that has the words "'80s" and "Hits" in the title, and their ebullient, strangely European pop will forever remain just under the surface of the public consciousness.