Hello! Below you'll find my "Take On Me" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by a-ha is super fun and catchy classic. In the video I teach a piano arrangement based on their excellent stripped down MTV Unplugged version, which brings out a more beautiful and emotional quality in the song.
Enjoy!
Take On Me Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Take On Me:
Take On Me Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| Bm | E/G# | A | D A/C# | x2
| Bm | E/G# | A | D A/C# | x2
[Verse]
Bm E/G# F#m A
Talking away well I don't know what I'm to say
Bm E/G# F#m A
I'll say it anyway today's another day to find you
Bm E/G# F#m D
Shying away I'll be coming for your love, ok? And
[Chorus]
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | D | E |
I'll be gone in a day or two
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | D | E |
I'll be gone in a day or two
[Verse]
Bm E/G# F#m A
So needless to say I'm odds and ends, but that's me I'm
Bm E/G# F#m A
Stumbling away slowly learning that life is ok and
Bm E/G# F#m D
Say after me it's no better to be safe than sorry and
Bm E/G# F#m A
So needless to say I'm odds and ends, but that's me I'm
Bm E/G# F#m A
Stumbling away slowly learning that life is ok and
Bm E/G# F#m D
Say after me it's no better to be safe than sorry and
[Chorus]
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m7 F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | D | E |
I'll be gone in a day or two
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m7 F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | D | E |
I'll be gone in a day or two
[Bridge]
| Bm | E/G# | A | D A/C# | x2
| Bm | E/G# | Bm | E/G# |
| Bm | E/G# | A | D A/C# | x2
| Bm | E/G# | Bm | E/G# |
[Verse]
Bm E/G# F#m A
Oh, the things that you say is it life or just to play
Bm E/G#
My worries away?
Bm E/G# F#m A
Oh, the things that you say is it life or just to play
Bm E/G#
My worries away?
F#m A
You're all the things I've got to remember
Bm E/G# F#m D
You're shying away I'll be coming for you anyway
You're all the things I've got to remember
Bm E/G# F#m D
You're shying away I'll be coming for you anyway
[Chorus]
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | C#m | F#m | D |
I'll be gone in a day or two
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | F#m |
I'll be gone in a day or two
D A E/G# D
In a ay or two
A E/G# F#m E/G#
Take on me
A C#m F#m D
Take me on
A C#/F F#m D | A | C#m | F#m | D |
I'll be gone in a day or two
A C#/F F#m D | A | E/G# | F#m |
I'll be gone in a day or two
D A E/G# D
In a ay or two
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Take On Me Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Take On Me" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Take On Me" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
