Rated 10 Alert!
Song#: 1237 Date: 11/06/1982
Debut: 88
Peak: 13
Weeks: 29
Genre: Rock
Pop Bits: Anni-Frid Lyngstad, aka Frida, started as a professional singer in the late 50s with a Swedish dance band. She continued to work throughout the 60s and by 1971 she released her first solo album, produced by her fiancé Benny Andersson. Soon the couple would join forces with another and become ABBA. During their successful run, Frida released another solo album, "Frida ensam," that became a #1 hit in Sweden. But her most notable solo work came as ABBA was on a break (one that unexpectedly ended up being permanent). Produced by Phil Collins, her LP "Something's Going On" was her first English language solo album and it became a major hit in Europe thanks to this single that hit the Top 10 in several countries. In the US, the song was a slow climber and ended up lingering on the chart for a lengthy 29 weeks. It would end up being her only US solo chart single. Due to the song's enduring popularity, this has lumped her in the "one-hit wonder" category despite her success with ABBA.
ReduxReview: I just loved, loved, loved this song. The massive reverb, Phil Collins' gated drums, the rough guitars, and Frida's piercing siren voice created an epic piece of pop. This is a pop song you just have to blast. This should have easily gone Top 10. I still love to crank this in the car. ABBA never sounded like this.
ReduxRating: 10/10
Trivia: Double Shot! 1) Although the single missed the US Top 10, it's lengthy time on the chart allowed it to finish at #20 on the year-end list of top chart singles for 1983. 2) Each member of ABBA has done solo work, but most were Swedish releases. This song remains the best charting solo single in the US by any member of ABBA. 3) Thanks to Phil Collins' distinctive production, drums and vocals on this song, many thought he wrote it as well. It was actually Russ Ballard who wrote the song. Ballard had his own solo chart entry in 1980 with "On the Rebound."
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I could not agree with your review more. This is a phenomenal song. There's a documentary on YouTube about the making of this album that's quite interesting. As prolific as the Bee Gees were in working with other artists, they tended to work with artists who fit within their predefined boundaries. Here, the combination of Collins and Frida initially sounded like an oil and vinegar mix. Instead it turned our great. Interestingly you'll eventually review Agnetha Faltskog's only hit "Can't Shake Loose." The interesting thing is that both songs were written by Russ Ballard. Faltskog's song was good, but it's clear that it's Collin's production that took Frida's song to the 10/10 level it so richly deserved.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out that doc. Sounds interesting. I almost did mention the Russ Ballard/Agnetha song but decided to save that tidbit until that one comes around. I like that song a lot as well but you are right - Collins really made a moment here.
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