Something's Going On

History

In 1982, Frida felt it was time to record a solo album again, this time in English and aimed at the international market. ABBA were spending less and less time together. Going through her divorce from Andersson, Frida had heard Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight", and then "listened to the album (Face Value) non-stop for eight months". As Collins himself put it in a TV interview: "Frida and I had something in common as far as our divorces were concerned. We were both the injured party." Polar Music approached Collins, asking if he would be interested in producing Frida's new solo album. He accepted the offer, thus making this his second album to be recorded in the Polar Studios, the first being Genesis' Duke (1980).

Polar Music sent out invitations to publishing companies around the world, announcing Frida's plans and asking for songs suitable for the project. The response was overwhelming; more than 500 songs came into the Polar Music offices in Stockholm. Among the composers who made it to the album's final track list were Bryan Ferry, Stephen Bishop, Rod Argent and Russ Ballard. The Giorgio Moroder/Pete Bellotte composition "To Turn The Stone" was originally written for Donna Summer's 1981 album I'm a Rainbow – a double set for Geffen Records which for various reasons would remain in the archives until 1996. Frida also asked Per Gessle, later of Roxette, to set Dorothy Parker's bittersweet poem "Threnody" to music. A re-interpretation of the Face Value track "You Know What I Mean" – a song especially close to her heart, both musically and lyrically – was also included. The song "Here We'll Stay" had previously been recorded and performed by singer Sonia Jones for the UK pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 1980. On the album, it was recorded as a duet with Phil Collins, although he wasn't credited. When it was decided to release the song as a single in 1983, Frida re-recorded the song as a solo version.

Recording

Recording began in the Polar Studios, Stockholm, on 15 February 1982 and continued until 31 March. Earth Wind & Fire's horn players (the Phenix Horns) – also an important part of the Face Value album – came to Stockholm for a two-day visit. Strings, orchestra, and harp were later recorded at George Martin's Air Studios in London in the attendance of both Martin and Paul McCartney. Produced at a time when most commercial recordings still used only analog technology, the album was one of the few to be both digitally recorded and mixed.

At the time of recording Something's Going On Frida wanted to distance herself from the "typical ABBA pop sound" (according to Lyngstad herself). She wanted to break away from being associated with the group and make a fresh start both as an artist and as an individual. The new songs, new musicians, and new producer gave Frida a new identity. Collins' production and especially his gated drum sound heard throughout the album, as well as the rough and raw guitar riffs of the lead single "I Know There's Something Going On", contrasted with the sound of an ABBA record. All backing vocals were sung by Frida and Collins. The album closes with their duet "Here We'll Stay."

Swedish Television, SVT, documented this historical event, by filming the whole recording process, from day one in the studio to the release party when the album was completed. The result became a one-hour TV-special, including interviews with Frida and Phil Collins, Björn & Benny from ABBA, as well as all the musicians on the album. It was directed by Stuart Orme and executive produced by Phil Collins' manager, Tony Smith. This documentary is included in Frida – The DVD.

Reception

In the fall of 1982, Frida unveiled the results of these recording sessions by releasing the single and video "I Know There's Something Going On." An extensive promotion tour of Europe and the United States followed. Frida performed both the single and other songs from the album on major TV-channels throughout Europe. The album received positive reviews by critics. Billboard wrote: "ABBA's auburn-haired songstress makes a bold solo-project a stunning success" and Mark Coleman described the album in the third edition of The Rolling Stone Album Guide as a "sharp, rock-oriented, delightfully eclectic album".

Audiences around the world also accepted the new, rockier sound and both the album and its lead single soon started climbing the charts; the single became a No. 1 hit in France (where it spent five weeks at the top), Belgium, Switzerland, and Costa Rica, and reached the Top 10 through most of Europe. It also became a huge success in Australia and South Africa – it peaked at No. 5 on both charts. In the United States, "I Know There's Something Going On" reached a respectable No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 9 on Radio & Records airplay, with the track's video being heavily promoted on MTV. In all, the single sold some 3.5 million copies worldwide.

The album reached the Top 10 on the charts in several countries and sold around 1.5 million copies in total. It was also a Top 20 hit in the UK, peaking at No. 18 (although the single failed to reach the UK Top 40). The track "I See Red" was released as a single in South Africa but did not fare as well as its predecessor, failing to reach the official Top 20 of the national charts.

Track listing

Side one:

1. "Tell Me It's Over" (Stephen Bishop) – 2:52
2. "I See Red" (Jim Rafferty) – 4:33
3. "I Got Something" (Tomas Ledin) – 4:04
4. "Strangers" (Jayne Bradbury, Dave Morris) – 4:06
5. "To Turn the Stone" (Pete Bellotte, Giorgio Moroder) – 5:26

Side two:

1. "I Know There's Something Going On" (Russ Ballard) – 5:29
2. "Threnody" (Per Gessle, Dorothy Parker) – 4:17
3. "Baby Don't You Cry No More" (Rod Argent) – 3:02
4. "The Way You Do" (Bryan Ferry) – 3:38
5. "You Know What I Mean" (Phil Collins) – 2:37
6. "Here We'll Stay" (duet with Phil Collins) (Tony Colton, Jean Roussel) – 4:03

Singles

1. "I Know There's Something Going On"/"Threnody" – August 1982
2. "To Turn The Stone"/"I Got Something" – September 1982
3. "I See Red"/"I Got Something" – December 1982
4. "Tell Me It's Over"/"I Got Something" – January 1983
5. "Here We'll Stay"/"Strangers" – June 1983
6. "I Know There's Something Going On"/"You Know What I Mean" – October 2015 ("Something's Going On"; limited edition single)

Personnel

Production