“I Know There’s Something Going On” is a powerful solo hit by Swedish singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad, known as Frida from ABBA. Released in August 1982, the song marked Frida’s first major project after ABBA’s success and showed her exploring a darker, more rock-oriented sound. Produced by Phil Collins, the track became a substantial solo success for Frida, reaching audiences worldwide and further establishing her as a versatile artist.
Following ABBA’s last studio album, The Visitors, in 1981, the members began pursuing solo projects. Frida wanted to explore music beyond ABBA’s pop sound and found a perfect collaborator in Phil Collins, who was already a successful solo artist and drummer for Genesis. Collins was experimenting with rock and new wave sounds, making him an ideal producer for the edgy and intense style Frida wanted for her album Something’s Going On.
“I Know There’s Something Going On” was written by Swedish musician Russ Ballard, known for his work with several rock and pop artists. Collins’s production on the track emphasized a heavy drum sound, using his signature gated reverb effect that he had recently popularized on his solo work. This production choice added a powerful, almost haunting atmosphere that made the song stand out in early ‘80s pop music. The song’s signature drumbeat, courtesy of Collins, is one of its most defining features, creating a dark, intense rhythm that drives the track. Frida’s vocals are also more intense and raw compared to her ABBA work, conveying suspicion and vulnerability. The heavy percussion, paired with layered guitars and synthesizers, created a distinctive, edgy sound that was quite different from the polished, melodic pop associated with ABBA. The backing vocals are sung by Lyngstad herself and Collins.
The song was released as the lead single from Something’s Going On in 1982 and became an international hit, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and charting in the Top 10 in several European countries, including #1 in Switzerland. The single’s success helped the album reach a wider audience and established Frida as a solo artist in her own right.
“I Know There’s Something Going On” is often remembered as a prime example of early 1980s pop-rock experimentation. The song’s distinctive production and Frida’s passionate vocal performance made it a memorable track that stood out from typical pop music of the time. Phil Collins’s involvement also brought additional attention to the track, helping it reach fans of both ABBA and Genesis.