Stay on These Roads (song)

"Stay on These Roads" is a song by Norwegian band A-ha, released on 14 March 1988 by Warner Bros. Records as the lead single from their third studio album of the same name (1988). The song achieved success in many European countries, becoming the most successful single from the Stay on These Roads album, along with "The Living Daylights" on the UK charts. It did not hit the national charts in the United States, but was a significant hit across Europe. It went to number seven in West Germany, number three in France and Iceland, and number two in Ireland. In Norway, the song was the band's fourth number one single. "Stay on These Roads" was A-ha's seventh and final top five showing in the United Kingdom, reaching number five on the chart edition of March 27, 1988. It would also prove their last top ten hit in the country for almost two decades, as they did not score another UK top ten hit until eighteen years later in 2006. The song's music video was directed by Andy Morahan.

Background and release
A Roland D-50 was used on this song —the sound patch is called "Staccato Heaven"— the wind sound during the instrumental was made on either a Roland Juno 60 or Juno 106 synthesizer. The versions on the 7" vinyl and the 3" CD single ("7 inch Version") are identical to the album version. The 7" single cover montage includes a blurred picture of actress Susan Sullivan, taken from a publicity shot from the TV series, Falcon Crest, in which she appeared as Maggie Gioberti. It is not known why this picture is used.

Critical reception
"Stay on These Roads" was well-received by critics. Cash Box said that "ethereal, arching vocals elevate this ballad into greatness, creating a mood that does not easily leave you." Paul Oldfield from Melody Maker wrote, "a-Ha ascend immediately into the hard-gloss satellite-beam Pet-Shops' circuit. "Stay" enlarges until it almost comes to a halt, full of simulated draughts and statuary, gravity and despondence that's bigger than Europe. Nobody will notice, though." Jerry Smith of Music Week considered "Stay on These Roads" as "one of their typically ponderous and overly dramatic numbers [...] but it lacks the commercial edge of previous singles". A review in Pan-European Music & Media magazine stated: "This song needs repeated play to fully appreciate its impact, after that, you can't get it out of your head. A ballad with a slow and commanding build-up, sporting a subtle melody giving singer Morten Harket all room to show his unique vocal qualities". Edwin Pouncey from NME said, "A road to nowhere presumably, with no end in sight. File under has-beens." In a review published in Smash Hits, English synth-pop duo Erasure were highly critical of the song, saying it was "far too manufectured and over-produced", with "no tune to it, nothing that makes you want to sing along to it", just good to be a "stadium song", and concluded that "it's a real shame".

Live performances
A-ha played the song at Oslo Spektrum on 21 August 2011, performing for a national memorial service dedicated to the victims of the 2011 Norway attacks.

Music video
The music video accompanying the song's release was directed by Andy Morahan, with its location footage filmed on England's East Anglia coast at Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

Track listings
7-inch single: Warner Bros. / W 7936 United Kingdom
 * 1) "Stay on These Roads" - 4:46
 * 2) "Soft Rains of April" (Original Mix) - 3:18
 * Track 1 is the "Album Version".

12-inch single: Warner Bros. / W 7936T United Kingdom
 * 1) "Stay on These Roads" (Extended Remix) - 6:08
 * 2) "Soft Rains of April" (Original Mix) - 3:18
 * Also released as a 12" picture disc (W 8405TP)

7-inch single: Warner Bros. / 7-27886 United States
 * 1) "Stay on These Roads" (U.S. 7 '' Edit) - 3:54
 * 2) "You'll End Up Crying - 3:18
 * Track 1 is exclusive to this version

CD single: Warner Bros. / W 7936CD United Kingdom
 * 1) "Stay on These Roads" (7" version) - 4:46
 * 2) "Soft Rains of April" (Original Mix) - 3:18
 * 3) "Take on Me" - 3:50
 * 4) "Cry Wolf" - 4:05

MTV Unplugged appearance
In 2017, A-ha appeared on the television series MTV Unplugged and played and recorded acoustic versions of many of their popular songs for the album MTV Unplugged – Summer Solstice in Giske, Norway, including "Stay on These Roads".