Train of Thought (A-ha song)

"Train of Thought" is a song by Norwegian band a-ha. It was released as the fourth single from the Hunting High and Low album. The lyrics for this song were based on the existentialist authors and poets Gunvor Hofmo, Knut Hamsun and Fyodor Dostoevsky - Pål's favourites at the time.

"Train of Thought"
Single by A-ha
from the album Hunting High and Low
B-side	"And You Tell Me" (Demo Version)
Released	24 March 1986
Recorded	1986
Length	4:14 (Remix) 7:04 (Steve Thompson Mix) 8:31 (Dub version)
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Pål Waaktaar
Producer(s)	Tony Mansfield
A-ha singles chronology
"The Sun Always Shines on T.V." (1985) "Train of Thought" (1986) "Hunting High and Low" (1986)

It was a-ha's third consecutive top ten single in the UK, reaching No. 8. It was not a pop hit in the United States, but a 12" single featuring a remix of the song appeared on the Hot Dance Club Play charts. The single sold 500,000 copies worldwide. Another remix by Steve Thompson was released in 1986.

Music video

The music video was directed by Candice Reckinger and Michael Patterson. The video concept was designed by the same producers who brought "Take On Me" into the video mainstream. The black-and-white footage and animation in the "Train of Thought" video actually predated the "Take On Me" single, and was the inspiration for the animation in the "Take On Me" video. It originated as Michael Patterson's student film at CalArts called Commuter, which went on to influence a generation of MTV videos.

Most of the video was the old animated footage, interspersed with live parts with a-ha filmed during a break in the band's tour.

Formats and track listing

7": Warner Bros. / W 8736 United Kingdom

1. "Train Of Thought" (Remix) - 4:14
2. "And You Tell Me" (Original Version) - 1:51

• Track 1 is remixed by Alan Tarney & John Hudson.
• Track 3 is also known as "Remix 7'' Version" and is remixed by Alan Tarney & John Hudson.

12": Warner Bros. / W 8736 T United Kingdom

1. "Train Of Thought" (U.S. Mix) - 7:04
2. "And You Tell Me" (Original Version) - 1:51
3. "Train Of Thought" (Remix 7'' Version) - 4:14

• Track 1 is also known as "Steve Thompson Mix".
• Track 3 is also known as "Remix" and is remixed by Alan Tarney & John Hudson.

7": Reprise Records. / 928 736-7 Europe

1. "Train Of Thought" (Album Version) - 4:14
2. "And You Tell Me" (Demo Version) - 1:51

• Track 1 is mixed by Alan Tarney & produced by Tony Mansfield

12": Reprise Records. / 0-20455 New Zealand

1. "Train Of Thought" (Steve Thompson Mix) - 7:04
2. "Train Of Thought" (Dub Version) - 8:31
3. ""Train Of Thought" (Remix) - 4:14
4. "And You Tell Me" (Demo Version) - 1:51

• Track 1 is also known as "U.S. Mix".
• Track 3 is also known as "Remix 7'' Version" and is remixed by Alan Tarney & John Hudson.

Note:

• The original version of "Train Of Thought" can be found on the Hunting High and Low album and was produced by Tony Mansfield.

Chart positions

[1][2][3]

Chart (1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	47
Belgian Singles Chart	21
Danish Singles Chart	4
German Singles Chart	14
Irish Singles Chart	5
New Zealand Singles Chart	28
Norwegian Singles Chart	1
UK Singles Chart	8

References

1. "British Single Chart". UK Top 40. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
2. "Irish Singles Chart". The Irish Chart. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
3. "German Singles Chart". Charts-Surfer. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2008.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 13. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

External links

Train of Thought official video on YouTube