"Dark Is the Night for All" is a song by Norwegian band
A-ha, released on 24 May 1993 by
Warner Bros. as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993). The song was written by
Pål Waaktaar and produced by the band with
David Z. Like the rest of Memorial Beach album, the song was recorded at
Prince's
Paisley Park Studios. This was also the last A-ha single to be released in the United States.[1] There are two versions of the music video, directed by Erick Ifergan;[2] the first version was banned due to disturbing scenes, including
Morten Harket's face ripping through the skin of his abdomen. The second version features more scenes of the band. Overall, the video shows people in various forms of
bondage and reflects the dark time A-ha was going through at the time[citation needed].
Critical reception
A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Like
Depeche Mode, A-ha is no longer strictly synth. A little bit of rock is injected, while the vocals are
Bono-esque."[3] Alan Jones from Music Week said, "The Norwegian former teen idols return, this time sounding rather like a low-rent but pleasant
U2 hybrid." He added that the song is "less immediate but more substantial than much of their work", and "a grower that could do very well."[4] Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it three out of five, commenting, "After disappearing up a Fjord for a few years,
Morten is back - as Bono! This U2-esque blockbuster is immediately appealing - with its quiet piano, soft and sad-sounding Morten, and a grand sweeping guitar riff that is immediately likeable."[5] In the review of Memorial Beach, Cross also named "Dark Is the Night for All" the "best thing" on the album.[6]
Track listings
7-inch single
"Dark Is the Night for All" (Album Version) – 3:45
