The Crate
a-ha
Hunting High And Low / The Demos
Hunting High and Low – The Demos is a 2025 limited-edition vinyl release by a-ha for Record Store Day, collecting early demo versions from the Hunting High and Low era. The 7,250-unit crystal-clear LP follows the band’s long-running archival expansions and showcases how the classic tracks began in rough form. The tracklist includes Take On Me (Demo), The Sun Always Shines on T.V. (Demo), Hunting High and Low (Demo), and other early takes. ([a-ha-live.com](https://a-ha-live.com/2025/02/06/hunting-high-and-low-the-demos-to-be-released-on-record-store-day/))
2) Recording History
- Recording studio/location: The original Hunting High and Low sessions were laid down at Eel Pie Studios in Twickenham, London. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Producers/engineers: The album’s production involved Tony Mansfield alongside John Ratcliff and Alan Tarney. These producers overseen the sessions that produced the demos later issued on various deluxe editions. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Recording dates/sessions: The demos on this release date from the early-to-mid 1980s during the same period as the album’s 1984–1985 sessions. Discographically, the 2010 deluxe edition confirms a large set of demos from that era, including early versions of album tracks. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Techniques/equipment: Contemporary coverage notes the band’s heavy use of synthesizers and studio technology (e.g., Fairlight) during the Hunting High and Low era, which influenced the demos’ sound as they evolved into final tracks. ([classicpopmag.com](https://www.classicpopmag.com/features/classic-album/a-ha-hunting-high-and-low/?utm_source=openai))
- Context of the release: The Demos on this 2025 RSD edition are tracks that had appeared previously on HHAL archival sets, and this release serves as a curated snapshot of those early versions. The tracklist explicitly includes several “Demo” or “Early Version” designations. ([a-ha-live.com](https://a-ha-live.com/2025/02/06/hunting-high-and-low-the-demos-to-be-released-on-record-store-day/))
3) Chart Performance & Recognition
- Original album impact: Hunting High and Low (1985) peaked high worldwide, reaching No. 2 in the UK and achieving multi-platinum status (3× platinum in the UK; Platinum in the US). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Notable awards: The band was nominated for Best New Artist at the 1986 Grammy Awards, reflecting the album’s breakout success. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Demos release context: The 2025 Demos LP is a collectible release (Crystal Clear Vinyl, limited to 7,250 units) and does not appear to be positioned as a mainstream chart performer; it is instead a specialty archival item for collectors. ([a-ha-live.com](https://a-ha-live.com/2025/02/06/hunting-high-and-low-the-demos-to-be-released-on-record-store-day/))
4) Cultural Impact & Legacy
- Influence: The Hunting High and Low era cemented a-ha as international stars and helped define 1980s synth-pop, with the music video for Take On Me becoming iconic. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Demos’ significance: The continued release of demos and alternate mixes—seen in the 2010 deluxe edition, later super-deluxe box sets, and the 2025 Demos—highlights how the band refined its sound from rough sketches to polished hits. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_High_and_Low))
- Notable trivia: The Demos include early versions of key tracks such as “Take On Me,” “Hunting High and Low,” and “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.,” offering insight into the evolution of these songs. ([a-ha-live.com](https://a-ha-live.com/2025/02/06/hunting-high-and-low-the-demos-to-be-released-on-record-store-day/))