It’s just a beautiful song penned by Magne as you say. Morten’s otherworldly vocals are what elevates this song, good as it is, to the ethereal in quality, remembering, as you do, that Morten is now in his mid-forties at this point. This album is full of great and memorable a-ha songs, this is one of them.
I see someone said that wine is a recurring theme in Magne's songs... but has anyone investigated why Pål is a bit obsessed with space ;-)? Not that I am complaining. It is endearing! I find I hum this tune a lot - it is beautiful and grows on you like a weed... Thank you for the review Matt.
There are several (if not most 😉) A-HA songs that I can't imagine being sung by anyone other than Morten... including this one in particular. Magnificent! 🥰🎶
By this point in their career there were bands like Coldplay and Keane who had become very popular and talked about A-ha being big influences on them. This sounds so like a Keane track.
Stripped back (analogue) sound, but builds steadily with some nice sonics as it reaches a crescendo. A fantastic vocal performance carries the entire song incredibly. One of my favourites on this album for sure, a lovely track.
Hi Matt, BIRTHRIGHT was written by Magne Furuholmen and has a typical melancholy feel that was reflective of the material Magne was writing at the time. This is a beautiful piano based ballad is both a highlight of the album and probably on of the finest tracks of the bands career. It has a light electronic fizz and a gentle strum along with a spine-tingling vocal delivery. Take care and I’ll catch you on the next one Matt, Stay safe 😘❤️🇳🇴❤️🏴🇺🇸
At this time I realize why I always have loved this album, from the first listen. Both Magne and Pål deliver music that speaks to the heart and soul, both in terms of sound and content. The texts make me ponder and wonder if there is an underlying message hidden in the text, and if my understanding matches the author's message. And Morten, what can I say? I understand that as an inexperienced teenager I was left naked and defenseless. Morten offers you a personal relationship through his voice. A different relationship where he sings his way into your soul. He is aware of it himself, and that is probably why he is so understanding towards the fans. Fortunately, the world is full of men, because not everyone can have Morten even if we wanted to.
@@ahkkariq7406 I love your wording, Kari. I do have to change a bit of the last part for me, though. I don’t have romantic fantasies about Morten nor do I of Magne or Pål. I do, however, have a fantasy of somehow capturing all three of them, especially their 90’s selves. Keeping them and their whole band, probably Pål’s wife Lauren too. They would have to come with me everywhere and anytime I requested any song, they would have to play it and sing it. 24/7. That is my real fantasy. Well that and they would have to read to me whatever I wanted. I am in love with their talent and voices. That is an amazing fantasy for me❤😂 Wow though, I do remember you saying something about stalkers with Morten. Good lord, the more I learn about A-ha, especially Morten, wow. I was looking up one of the A-ha songs recommended in the comments. I found a bunch of videos. One just was images of Morten. Not just regular photos, but they were in slow motion. They were zooming in on different parts of his body, like slow going up and down. Kind of like someone stalking him or something. Then some person left many comments, just going on an on about marrying him. Oh my God….that gave me chills. Creepy chills. I have seen so many crazy obsessed comments and ran across so many crazy obsessed videos about Morten now. This alone is beyond me. This is just on RUclips. I can only imagine every other form of social media and well, yes, real life. Are these people literally stalking him and his family? He must have serious security. Okay yes, I do feel really sorry for him and especially his family now. This is insane. I had some video pop up about Brad Pitt one day. He was at some movie location, taking a break. There were crazy fans yelling for him and trying to get past a barrier. They were all pressing forward and trampling over this poor little girl! Brad saw this and came over with his body guard. They were trying to get the people to stop, but they got even more crazy. He pulled the girl out while people tried to touch him. She was crying and shaking. Nobody even seemed to notice. It was absolutely horrible! 😱People are nuts. I mean, maybe a little excuse if they were adolescents, but these are adults! Ha, you couldn’t pay me enough to be in a relationship with someone like that. Takes really special people to do that. 😞
@@shelld1261 This is not America. While Morten is home in Norway he probably don't need security on a daily bases. Norwegians respect other peoples privacy, even the privacy of celebrities. I guess most Norwegians have little interest in Morten nowadays. People have met him in society, some people tell he even has come up to them asking questions. I have a fb friend who is his neighbor. She can see down to his house from her veranda, and she has never said anything about security. While travelling it's a completely different matter. Then they have security, all of them.
@@ahkkariq7406 Oh gosh, the people who do those videos and leave comments are mostly not Americans. Most people in America don’t know who A-ha is, much less Morten. Morten could walk around pretty much down any street in America and most people would have no clue who he was. That’s why when I see Morten saying stuff like he can’t just be a normal person, I say that he should move to America. He could pretty much go anywhere and be left alone. A-ha isn’t even a tiny bit big here, outside of if people know Take on Me. There is a very small fan base compared to other countries. He and his family would be safe. Most people clueless or don’t really care. He could just be a normal person here. The chance of somebody recognizing him or saying anything is very very small. 🤷🏻♀️The video I saw was from a French woman. Many comments I see are from people in other countries. What happened to Brad Pitt wasn’t in America either. It seemed to be a Spanish speaking country. That is why I was just truly surprised to see this stuff for I didn’t know it was that crazy for them. I am really happy that Morten and his family are safe in Norway. I wasn’t even insinuating that it would be Norwegians that bothered him. That is good to hear for sure.(I am so sorry if it came across that way) I didn’t know if fans from other countries would try to come to Norway and stalk him? That is what I meant. It still is obviously pretty bad though when going to other countries, it seems? Well, maybe worse for Brad Pitt. Hopefully Morten doesn’t experience that crazy of fans in person. However, social media reaches everywhere and those comments and videos could reach Morten and his family. They must do some serious venting. Or maybe his kids don’t look at much social media. That would be so weird to see people posting creepy videos of your own dad like that and seeing some pretty crude comments. Yuck 🤢 😕
This is a magnificent track. The overall effect is ethereal, majestic, almost religious in tone. The drummer must have used all the cymbals in Norway for the saturation in this track. Love it, love it, love it. The meaning doesn't resonate with me about what i think of birth right meaning but i guess Mags was meaning that hard times do pass and you have a right to feel better in time and with help.
That’s the meaning I got from it too. Man, this is just one of many songs I literally zone out too. My whole soul leaves my body and is in some amazingly beautiful place for the whole song. They are magic ❤
Yes, this is "another" Magne's song, but I got the impression you seem to think Magne is the main songwriter in a-ha. (Or did I get it wrong?) Paul was / has been the main songwriter, but Magne's input has grown steadily over the years and by this time he contributed a lot to a-ha's albums - in fact, a bit more than Paul, as I have just checked. 😯 I wasn't even aware of this. It's funny that back then I didn’t really care who wrote the songs, it was a-ha, but nowadays I am noticing more and more the differences in songwriting between Paul and Magne. And today, as I started listening to Birthright with you, I didn’t remember who wrote the song but I immediately thought "Magne". (I think the difference is even more apparent in the new album, for the first time in my life it was easy to distinguish right away who wrote what). After watching "a-ha: The Movie" I think everybody is more aware of those two "poles" in a-ha. And they have also written separately from the 2000s onwards, whereas previously they used to collaborate more (with Magne feeling unappreciated and uncredited). Regarding lyrics, this is one of those I don't have a clue (as in probably the majority of a-ha's songs 🤣) and never made an effort to understand. The sonics are enough for me to enjoy it. ☺ But he says " just like wine" (after "everything changes over time" and "it's gonna make you start feeling better") and I suddenly thought that wine is a recurrent element in Magne's lyrics. 😁 You have reacted to Cosy Prisons recently, where you find the line "and bottled wine is vinegar tomorrow". It also reminded me of a solo song of his, but that will probably be another chapter. 😜
I agree. I think the quality of Mags songs has improved over time, I thought he was good to start out, This track has almost an other world feel to it. so well produced too.
Yeah, I was thinking about the composition of the sonics of the tune, but that's a good point---sometimes the songwriting credit means both lyrics and arrangement. But cheers, I appreciate that information like always! :)
Great song.
"And youuuuuuuuuu...
Whatcha gonna doooooooo...?
Walk it solitary
So unnecessary..."
I love that part in particular!
it's so beautiful, I agree! 😊🎶
It’s just a beautiful song penned by Magne as you say. Morten’s otherworldly vocals are what elevates this song, good as it is, to the ethereal in quality, remembering, as you do, that Morten is now in his mid-forties at this point. This album is full of great and memorable a-ha songs, this is one of them.
I see someone said that wine is a recurring theme in Magne's songs... but has anyone investigated why Pål is a bit obsessed with space ;-)? Not that I am complaining. It is endearing! I find I hum this tune a lot - it is beautiful and grows on you like a weed... Thank you for the review Matt.
There are several (if not most 😉) A-HA songs that I can't imagine being sung by anyone other than Morten... including this one in particular. Magnificent! 🥰🎶
All a-ha songs 😁
Beautiful song !
By this point in their career there were bands like Coldplay and Keane who had become very popular and talked about A-ha being big influences on them. This sounds so like a Keane track.
Stripped back (analogue) sound, but builds steadily with some nice sonics as it reaches a crescendo. A fantastic vocal performance carries the entire song incredibly. One of my favourites on this album for sure, a lovely track.
This songs gives me goosebumps
Hi Matt, BIRTHRIGHT was written by Magne Furuholmen and has a typical melancholy feel that was reflective of the material Magne was writing at the time. This is a beautiful piano based ballad is both a highlight of the album and probably on of the finest tracks of the bands career. It has a light electronic fizz and a gentle strum along with a spine-tingling vocal delivery. Take care and I’ll catch you on the next one Matt, Stay safe 😘❤️🇳🇴❤️🏴🇺🇸
I totally agree on the career song comment. It's easily top 10 best tracks over all for me.
At this time I realize why I always have loved this album, from the first listen. Both Magne and Pål deliver music that speaks to the heart and soul, both in terms of sound and content. The texts make me ponder and wonder if there is an underlying message hidden in the text, and if my understanding matches the author's message. And Morten, what can I say? I understand that as an inexperienced teenager I was left naked and defenseless. Morten offers you a personal relationship through his voice. A different relationship where he sings his way into your soul. He is aware of it himself, and that is probably why he is so understanding towards the fans. Fortunately, the world is full of men, because not everyone can have Morten even if we wanted to.
Hahaha, that last line gave me a really good chuckle. Cheers, Kari. :)
@@mattsnider2667 As if Morten didn't have enough to keep the ladies at bay - he became a favorite object at some of the gay clubs too. Poor guy.
@@ahkkariq7406 I love your wording, Kari.
I do have to change a bit of the last part for me, though. I don’t have romantic fantasies about Morten nor do I of Magne or Pål. I do, however, have a fantasy of somehow capturing all three of them, especially their 90’s selves. Keeping them and their whole band, probably Pål’s wife Lauren too. They would have to come with me everywhere and anytime I requested any song, they would have to play it and sing it. 24/7. That is my real fantasy. Well that and they would have to read to me whatever I wanted. I am in love with their talent and voices. That is an amazing fantasy for me❤😂
Wow though, I do remember you saying something about stalkers with Morten. Good lord, the more I learn about A-ha, especially Morten, wow.
I was looking up one of the A-ha songs recommended in the comments. I found a bunch of videos. One just was images of Morten. Not just regular photos, but they were in slow motion. They were zooming in on different parts of his body, like slow going up and down. Kind of like someone stalking him or something. Then some person left many comments, just going on an on about marrying him. Oh my God….that gave me chills. Creepy chills. I have seen so many crazy obsessed comments and ran across so many crazy obsessed videos about Morten now. This alone is beyond me. This is just on RUclips. I can only imagine every other form of social media and well, yes, real life. Are these people literally stalking him and his family? He must have serious security. Okay yes, I do feel really sorry for him and especially his family now. This is insane.
I had some video pop up about Brad Pitt one day. He was at some movie location, taking a break. There were crazy fans yelling for him and trying to get past a barrier. They were all pressing forward and trampling over this poor little girl! Brad saw this and came over with his body guard. They were trying to get the people to stop, but they got even more crazy. He pulled the girl out while people tried to touch him. She was crying and shaking. Nobody even seemed to notice. It was absolutely horrible! 😱People are nuts. I mean, maybe a little excuse if they were adolescents, but these are adults! Ha, you couldn’t pay me enough to be in a relationship with someone like that. Takes really special people to do that.
😞
@@shelld1261 This is not America. While Morten is home in Norway he probably don't need security on a daily bases. Norwegians respect other peoples privacy, even the privacy of celebrities. I guess most Norwegians have little interest in Morten nowadays. People have met him in society, some people tell he even has come up to them asking questions. I have a fb friend who is his neighbor. She can see down to his house from her veranda, and she has never said anything about security.
While travelling it's a completely different matter. Then they have security, all of them.
@@ahkkariq7406 Oh gosh, the people who do those videos and leave comments are mostly not Americans. Most people in America don’t know who A-ha is, much less Morten. Morten could walk around pretty much down any street in America and most people would have no clue who he was. That’s why when I see Morten saying stuff like he can’t just be a normal person, I say that he should move to America. He could pretty much go anywhere and be left alone. A-ha isn’t even a tiny bit big here, outside of if people know Take on Me. There is a very small fan base compared to other countries. He and his family would be safe. Most people clueless or don’t really care. He could just be a normal person here. The chance of somebody recognizing him or saying anything is very very small. 🤷🏻♀️The video I saw was from a French woman. Many comments I see are from people in other countries.
What happened to Brad Pitt wasn’t in America either. It seemed to be a Spanish speaking country. That is why I was just truly surprised to see this stuff for I didn’t know it was that crazy for them.
I am really happy that Morten and his family are safe in Norway. I wasn’t even insinuating that it would be Norwegians that bothered him. That is good to hear for sure.(I am so sorry if it came across that way) I didn’t know if fans from other countries would try to come to Norway and stalk him? That is what I meant. It still is obviously pretty bad though when going to other countries, it seems? Well, maybe worse for Brad Pitt. Hopefully Morten doesn’t experience that crazy of fans in person. However, social media reaches everywhere and those comments and videos could reach Morten and his family. They must do some serious venting. Or maybe his kids don’t look at much social media. That would be so weird to see people posting creepy videos of your own dad like that and seeing some pretty crude comments. Yuck 🤢 😕
This is a magnificent track. The overall effect is ethereal, majestic, almost religious in tone. The drummer must have used all the cymbals in Norway for the saturation in this track. Love it, love it, love it. The meaning doesn't resonate with me about what i think of birth right meaning but i guess Mags was meaning that hard times do pass and you have a right to feel better in time and with help.
That’s the meaning I got from it too. Man, this is just one of many songs I literally zone out too. My whole soul leaves my body and is in some amazingly beautiful place for the whole song. They are magic ❤
@@shelld1261 Yeah, I can't help but fall into this song and stay there. I can never play it once. It's too short, so i repeat straight after.
Can't wait to see your face when you get to the next album Foot of the Mountain 😁
Yes, this is "another" Magne's song, but I got the impression you seem to think Magne is the main songwriter in a-ha. (Or did I get it wrong?) Paul was / has been the main songwriter, but Magne's input has grown steadily over the years and by this time he contributed a lot to a-ha's albums - in fact, a bit more than Paul, as I have just checked. 😯 I wasn't even aware of this. It's funny that back then I didn’t really care who wrote the songs, it was a-ha, but nowadays I am noticing more and more the differences in songwriting between Paul and Magne. And today, as I started listening to Birthright with you, I didn’t remember who wrote the song but I immediately thought "Magne". (I think the difference is even more apparent in the new album, for the first time in my life it was easy to distinguish right away who wrote what). After watching "a-ha: The Movie" I think everybody is more aware of those two "poles" in a-ha. And they have also written separately from the 2000s onwards, whereas previously they used to collaborate more (with Magne feeling unappreciated and uncredited).
Regarding lyrics, this is one of those I don't have a clue (as in probably the majority of a-ha's songs 🤣) and never made an effort to understand. The sonics are enough for me to enjoy it. ☺ But he says " just like wine" (after "everything changes over time" and "it's gonna make you start feeling better") and I suddenly thought that wine is a recurrent element in Magne's lyrics. 😁 You have reacted to Cosy Prisons recently, where you find the line "and bottled wine is vinegar tomorrow". It also reminded me of a solo song of his, but that will probably be another chapter. 😜
I agree. I think the quality of Mags songs has improved over time, I thought he was good to start out, This track has almost an other world feel to it. so well produced too.
Yeah, I was thinking about the composition of the sonics of the tune, but that's a good point---sometimes the songwriting credit means both lyrics and arrangement. But cheers, I appreciate that information like always! :)
Magne è cresciuto come compositore e credo che sia il "cuore " degli a-ha ,le sue canzoni sono molto dolci e significative .
@@Elena-in6uw Agreed.
@@Elena-in6uwI completely agree.❤
It isn't fair, is it? 3:08
Such a positively gorgeous song.