"Take On Me" is built around a plea for love, with lyrics structured as a direct conversation. The song originated from an earlier composition by band members Pål Waaktaar and Magne Furuholmen, with a riff that was initially considered too pop-oriented for their band. When Morten Harket joined, he recognized the keyboard riff's universal hit potential, and a new version of the song was developed to showcase his impressive vocal range, particularly his spiraling falsetto. It plays like a passionate and urgent declaration, driven by that distinctive synth-pop energy.