Waaktaar Wednesday: 10 Things I Love About Pål

Pål Waaktaar Savoy. Mention that name to me one year ago and I'd just say something like "He's just the guitarist of a-ha" and boy would I hate myself. He is amazing in so many ways and regardless how indecisive I am as a person, it's safe to say that Pål is my favorite member of a-ha. 

Since I knew that he's a fellow Virgo (born in September 6th) and when I was watching a-ha's interview videos on YouTube, I have the strong feeling that he's the type of man who slowly grows on you. This happened to me. He slowly took my attention and when he's done it completely, BOOM! There's no turning back. 

As you know, a-ha fans all over celebrate these 'a-ha days' from Morten Monday, Waaktaar Wednesday, and Furuholmen Friday. Surprise, surprise, Wednesday has been my favorite day of the week since ever and it's Pål's day. I mean, could it get any better? To celebrate this Waaktaar Wednesday, here's 10 things I love about Pål.

1. He's an excellent, excellent guitarist

I'm the type of person who gets better stimulation from hearing instead of sight, and I'm always in awe with AMAZING guitar sounds. Riffs, solos, you name it. While 80s a-ha didn't really include much guitar sounds (for me, the synths completely stole the spotlight), 90s a-ha did the opposite on their East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon album.

The video below is a part of Manhattan Skyline in their NRK performance in 1991 and if you listen closely, you can hear the beautiful, smooth guitar sounds accompanying Morten's singing. My jaw dropped when I first heard it. Oh the things this man does with his guitar...

There are other live performances with his guitar improvises, most of the time it's The Sun Always Shines On T.V., but this here is my personal favorite.

2. He stays out of the spotlight

I value humility so much and I see this in Pål. A-ha don't brag, but especially him. I can't tell you how much I love that about him. It was actually his silence that took and moved my attention from Morten (as I was heavily obsessed with him during the time). He shines through his music and I'm agreeing with what Morten said about him being the driving force behind a-ha. He never had to prove anything to the fans to give the credits to him.

This happens in interviews as well. He's always quiet, diverted questions by giving it to either Mags or Morten, and if he really has to answer he keeps it short and simple. Wow.

3. His voice!

The first time I was amazed by his singing voice was when I'm watching the MTV Unplugged 2017 performance of Living A Boy's Adventure Tale. He did the backup vocals throughout the chorus, it's in high notes and it's beautiful. Second was the Swing Of Things performance of their 2010 concert. At those times, I was still thinking how his voice harmonizes PERFECTLY with Morten. So naturally, I became curious and found out more about his singing voice. Little did I know, I was in for a treat. 

If I can compare his singing voice with Morten's, well his is even more of a hidden jewel. Morten has those vocal ranges and the poignant falsetto, operatic singing, but Pål sounds so much more appealing for me. It has something in it that I can't describe. To try putting it to words (which I don't feel they do any justice to his voice), it's fragile, mellow, hauntingly beautiful, and comforting. I love it when someone sings, you still can really hear what he actually sounds like speaking. That's Pål. 

And it's not just his singing voice, it's his voice in general too! It's deep and just fits who he is as a person so well. Again, this is my hearing sense being stimulated.

4. Him and Lauren are serious couple goals

They are one of the best couples I've ever known in my life, and my #1 favorite a-ha couple. I find the reasons to be:

• They're husband and wife together in a band. Seriously not much could pull that off.
• Pål shows his love to Lauren through his music. The song Go To Sleep is my favorite.
• Pål takes her last name after they got married! I would be so honored.

All of these are amazing, but my favorite fact about Pål and Lauren is the gift he gave to her on their wedding day. The song Angel In The Snow. I still can't believe that he wrote her a song just because he was too shy to give a speech. He's a hopeless romantic and both are so lucky to have found each other!

5. His music are for my ears and heart

I don't easily find musicians whose songs/creations fit me so well, meaning most of the time I like what I'm listening to. Pål happens to be one of them and has contributed so much since 1982. For this one, let's break this down to his three music projects. A-ha, Savoy, and Waaktaar & Zoe.

A-ha

I never noticed till few months ago that most a-ha songs I love are the ones written and/or arranged by Pål, and I LOVE the ones that obviously sounds like him. Their Cast In Steel album displays this best and some of the others are:

• The Company Man
• Barely Hanging On
• Mary Ellen Makes The Moment Count (it's so clear he does the backing vocals and it's amazing)
• Over The Treetops

Savoy

Savoy has different sounds than a-ha but nevertheless has Pål's same distinct style. He's their main vocalist and I was so excited to find out more about them. First song I listened to was Velvet and I kind of liked this original version. I needed more so I started listening to their latest album titled See The Beauty In Your Drab Hometown , and I love it. I fell in love with (My) Weathervane from start to finish because of the melody and Pål's voice is AMAZING here. I listened to this track almost everyday and in loop throughout July 2018 and to this day, still my #1 Savoy song. 

I have this thing where I listen more of Savoy on Wednesdays (for Waaktaar Wednesday) and it feels so right. There are 18 songs currently in my Spotify playlist titled "Favorite Savoy Songs" and this is the one I go to.

Waaktaar & Zoe

This is his latest project with Zoe Gnecco and all I can say is that it's must be an experience to have worked with this musical genius. I enjoy some of their songs and my #1 is Tearful Girl. Their whole album has a strong Pål vibe and Zoe delivers it through her voice. They work well together.

This acoustic performance of them is simple yet heartfelt. To imagine you sit there, sing and jam with him at his beautiful apartment must feel like heaven.

6. His ambitious and tireless nature

He knows what he wants and how to achieve it. This is one of his many admirable traits. For example when he started the Waaktaar & Zoe project because it wasn't the right moment for a-ha and Savoy, so he made this because he has stuff or inspiration to produce. I like how he keeps on going and being consistent within music.

7. He works hard and it shows

I don't know how many hours and efforts a-ha spent on recording studios, how far Pål had to get to be inspired and write most of their songs, but it's definitely paid off. The lyrics, melody, and music arrangements all done so beautifully. There are so many good song lyrics from a-ha and I'm thanking Pål for it.

Pål's notebook

Seeing the notebook and song drafts on the picture made me feel all nostalgic to a time I haven't even existed yet. I think about the moments where Pål decided to write down the words and you know... just started creating. For me, all his hard work is clearly shown in the music.

If he looks this cute writing songs, I swear I....

8. He's on Instagram!

And quite active at that too! For me, this is like a way of knowing that he's wherever he is and doing fine. Click here to check it out. 

His latest 9 posts

He posts about his daily life, musical instruments, and sometimes random yet aesthetically pleasing videos. You know, things that show that he's just like one of us. I think I followed him around March or April last year? Can't remember. All I know is that I stalked his account till ALL the way to his first ever post hahah. He's also a sweetheart for the fact that he actually replies to some of the comments by the fans, so automatically the comment section is never empty and there's always at least one comment that mentions his username in hope to get a reply. Including me. I'm so guilty for this.

Also I LOVE the fact he's following Tame Impala and Metric, two of the many bands I personally enjoy. Will there be future collaboration? With Pål, you never know what's coming.

9. His style is timeless

I notice how a-ha dress and I can say that Pål has the best style. Personally, I only like Magne and Morten's 80s looks but with Pål I love his looks from almost all the decades. It's simple, straightforward, and well... timeless. Some say might say this is boring, but most Virgos are always deemed that way anyway. I beg to differ. 

So is his hairstyle. Morten had the quiff 80s, Magne had the almost-mullet in the early 90s that really represented the decades. But if you look at Pål, it doesn't really scream specific decade. It's his hairstyle (get what I'm saying?). 

10. When he smiles... Wow

Let me put it this way. His smile got me all like, "He doesn't smile often, but when he does...."

I love it. All three men of A-ha have amazing smile and it warms your heart in their own beautiful way. Morten smiles with his whole face lights up, Magne with a combo of sensuality and playfulness, and Pål with his soul. His smile is sincere so I guess that's why he doesn't do it as often as the other two men.

All I can sum up from the 10 things is that I know his vibe resonates with mine (that's why I can't get enough of him) and that he's really an amazing human being outside and most importantly on the inside. He'll definitely continue to awe me with all that he is.

Until next time.