Thanks for joining me for this week’s edition of Saturday Songsausion. Two weeks ago, I started the post-ABBA years to learn more about what became of the band members. In my first two installments, I featured Agnetha “Aggi” Falkstog which you can read part 1 and part 2. In this third segment, I wanted to learn more about the other female vocalist, Anni-Frid, and as usual I was enlightened with the factoids I read on Wiki.
Today, I’m going to share with you the only two English studio album Frida recorded post-ABBA. First is the Phil Collins production from 1982, SOMETHING GOING ON. This album achieved worldwide success for the Swedish singer/songwriter. Listen to the album playlist.
Read this snippet from Wiki…
A much rockier sound was found on many of the songs and Phil Collins’ drum sound had a major contribution, particularly on the lead single, “I Know There’s Something Going On”, which topped the charts in Belgium and Switzerland, and was a top 5 hit in Australia, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and Sweden amongst others. With the song and video being heavily promoted and played on MTV, the single also proved successful in the United States, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 (and No. 9 on Radio & Records) in March 1983, and was the 20th biggest selling single in the US that year. In the UK, the track was not a successful hit, only reaching No. 43.
While listening to the playlist, it dawned on me that I was familiar with track #6 , I Know There’s Something Going On. I had no idea at the time it hit the charts in the US who the singer of this song was until now. I’ve mentioned frequently I rarely paid attention to the artist. This was one of those times. Did you recognize it, too? How about any of the other song tracks?
A couple years later, Frida’s second post-ABBA album produced by Steve Lillywhite released but didn’t have quite the success as hoped. The album reached the Top 20 in many European countries and did its best in Sweden reaching number 6. Turn your ear if you would to Frida’s 1984 album, SHINE!
Some of the songs on this album have a certain familiarity to them. Perhaps those of you who are more hip in the who’s who of musicians can tell me if any of these songs ever hit the US airwave in the mid-80s.
Frida recorded a few albums in her Swedish language and made limited appearances, some of which crossed paths with her former ABBA band members. Glancing over the niblets about Frida I read that she’s been married three times. First marriage from 1964-1968 produced two children, a boy and a girl. Frida’s marriage was with ABBA bandmate, Benny Andersson after a long live-in relations beginning 1971 the couple married in ’78, separated late 1980 and finally divorced the following year. Her third marriage was in 1992 this time she married a prince. Sadly, Prince Ruzzo Reuss died from lymphoma in 1999. It pulled deeply my heart when I learned Frida’s 30-year daughter died the previous year from complications following an auto accident. Her daughter had a son so while her daughter is no longer here, no doubt she sees her daughter in her grandson and I’d say that gives her some comfort. It would me. The last personal tidbit on Frida is she’s been involved with a British peer whom she lives with in Switzerland. I don’t know what a ‘British peer’ is but hopefully someone can tell me.
That pretty much sums up things on Anni-Frid Lyngstad. I though it would be fun to sample Frida’s pre-ABBA Swedish song collection from 1967-1972.
Join me tomorrow for Sunday Edition of Monday’s Music Moves Me with ‘love songs’ for theme. I’m saving a dance for you, so come join me on the dance floor. 
Have a songsational Saturday!
