If anything reveals my bias for sad songs it’s my failure to consider A-ha’s ‘Take On Me’ when compiling my list of favorites. Without question, this song belonged on that list.
But it was too peppy, too synth-y, too 80s to even get into the conversation. Major oversight. I apologize to all Norwegians.
‘Take On Me’ is just a perfectly crafted and executed song, so sublime that you wonder how these guys didn’t have any more mega-hits in them.
The original release (my Song of the Day #74), along with its ground-breaking video, is definitive. But this performance at 2005’s Live 8 concert shows the band remarkably well-preserved.
Talking away
I don’t know what I’m to say
I’ll say it anyway
Today isn’t my day to find you
Shying away
I’ll be coming for your love, ok
[Chorus]
Take on me (take on me)
Take me on (take on me)
I’ll be gone
In a day or two
[Verse 2]
So needless to say
Of 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
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Oh, things that you say
Is it a 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
[Chorus x2]
Meet Me In Montauk 
It is remarkable that this band only had one hit song in the US given how great that one song is. However, a perusal of Wikipedia reveals that, while their success in the US was grounded with this one song in the 80’s, they continued to have success in Europe, particularly in the UK and their native country, Norway.
Perhaps their subsequent work is just too European for American audiences?
Great song, it is hard to believe it’s a “sad” song when you want to get up and dance all around š