Minor Earth Major Sky Explained

Minor Earth Major Sky
Type:studio
Artist:A-ha
Cover:Aha_Minor_Earth_Major_Sky.jpg
Released:14 April 2000
Recorded:1998–2000
Genre:
Length:58:42
Label:WEA
Producer:
  • A-ha
  • Kjetil Bjerkestrand
  • Millenia Nova
  • Ras
  • Roland Spremberg
  • Andre Tanneberger
  • Pål Waaktaar
Prev Title:Memorial Beach
Prev Year:1993
Next Title:Lifelines
Next Year:2002

Minor Earth Major Sky (stylised as minor earth | major sky) is the sixth studio album by Norwegian band A-ha, released on 14 April 2000 by WEA.

Background and release

Following the release of a-ha's fifth studio album, Memorial Beach (1993), the band decided to go on a hiatus. In 1998, the band was invited to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. Paul Waaktaar-Savoy had written "Summer Moved On" especially for this performance.[1] They also performed "The Sun Always Shines on T.V.". This performance was a-ha's comeback into the world of music and the band decided to return to the studio.

Almost the entire album was remixed by producer Niven Garland at the record company's insistence to make it more radio-friendly for the band's German market.

"Summer Moved On", "Minor Earth Major Sky" and "Velvet" were commercially released as singles. "I Wish I Cared" was an Internet download single, accompanied by an Internet-only music video—one of the first of its kind.

Backing vocals for the track "Velvet" were provided by Simone Larsen of Norwegian band D-Sound.

Reception

Commercial performance

Minor Earth Major Sky debuted at number one on the Norwegian Albums Chart, and became the band's first number one album in Germany. The album peaked at number 27 on the UK Albums Chart, but was not released in the U.S.This album was certified platinum in Norway and Germany and gold in Austria, Spain and Switzerland.

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

A-ha

Additional musicians

Technical and Design

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[3] 169
European Albums (Music & Media)[4] 3
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[5] 53
Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[6] 8

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)! scope="col"
Position
European Albums (Music & Media)[7] 55
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[8] 15
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[9] 63

Notes and References

  1. interview on "a-ha live at valhall homecoming" DVD, 2001
  2. http://www.discogs.com/a-ha-Minor-Earth-Major-Sky/release/188819 a-ha – Minor Earth | Major Sky
  3. Web site: Response from ARIA re: a-ha ARIA chart history, received 22 December 2017 . 19 January 2019 . Imgur.
  4. European Top 100 Albums . . 17 . 19 . 6 May 2000 . 12 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
  5. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/27061/ranking/cd_album/ . ja:a〜haのアルバム売り上げランキング . a-ha album sales ranking . Japanese . . 19 January 2019 . https://archive.today/20130629034605/http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/27061/ranking/cd_album/ . 29 June 2013.
  6. Top National Sellers . Music & Media . 17 . 20 . 13 May 2000 . 13 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
  7. Year in Focus – European Top 100 Albums 2000 . Music & Media . 17 . 52 . 23 December 2000 . 9 . 29800226 . World Radio History.
  8. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2000 . de . GfK Entertainment . 19 January 2019.
  9. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2000 . hitparade.ch . de . 31 July 2022.