I Know There’s Something Going On

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious "I Know There’s Something Going On" by Frida Lyngstad, from her 1982 solo album Something's Going On, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its edgy beat. This track, a bold departure from Frida’s ABBA days, was written by Russ Ballard and produced by Phil Collins, whose unmistakable gated reverb drum sound gives the song its punchy, rock-infused vibe. Frida’s powerful vocals, paired with Collins’ drumming and their shared backing vocals, create a raw energy that resonated worldwide, hitting #1 in Belgium and Switzerland and reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s music video, directed by Stuart Orme and filmed in London, was a staple on MTV, depicting Frida uncovering her partner’s infidelity through a photographer’s lens—a dramatic narrative that matched the song’s intense emotion.

Digging into the song’s trivia, a one-hour documentary captured the entire recording process at Polar Music Studios in Stockholm, from studio sessions to the album’s release party. This Swedish TV special, available on Frida - The DVD, features interviews with Frida, Phil Collins, and ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, offering a behind-the-scenes look at Frida’s reinvention as a solo artist. Frida herself said in the liner notes of the album’s 2015 deluxe box set, “The ones we finally picked [songs] I had one-hundred percent feeling for, and they were chosen from my heart. I love this record.” The track’s influence endures, with covers by artists like Norwegian metal singer Jørn Lande in 2016 and samples in tracks like Bomfunk MC’s 2002 “(Crack It) Something Going On” and k-os’s 2009 “Eye Know Something.” Posts on Reddit from 2024 show fans still vibing to it, with one user confessing to belting it out in a grocery store, much to their kid’s embarrassment.

Frida, born Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad on November 15, 1945, in Bjørkåsen, Norway, began her musical journey early. Raised in Sweden after moving there at age two, she started singing professionally at 13 with a dance band in 1958, performing jazz and pop covers. Her big break came in 1967 when she won a national talent competition on Swedish TV, earning a record deal with EMI. Her early singles, sung in Swedish, built her local fame, and by 1969, she met Benny Andersson, her future husband and ABBA bandmate, at a music event. Joining forces with Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, Frida became part of ABBA in 1970, catapulting to global stardom with hits like “Dancing Queen.” After ABBA’s hiatus in 1982, Frida’s solo career took off with Something’s Going On, driven by her desire to break free from the group’s pop sound, inspired by her personal connection to Phil Collins’ Face Value album during her divorce from Andersson.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Frida’s legacy, her official presence is tied to ABBA’s platforms, as she maintains a low public profile. Check out ABBA’s official website for updates on Frida and the group. Her music is featured on ABBA’s Facebook and Instagram, where fans can find posts about her solo work and ABBA’s ongoing projects. On X, ABBA’s account occasionally shares Frida-related content, like a 2025 post by user @Alan_Hogg highlighting “I Know There’s Something Going On.” Fan communities thrive online—join the ABBA Fans Group on Facebook for lively discussions or visit ABBA Omnibus, a fan site with detailed Frida discographies and news. These spaces keep Frida’s spirit alive for fans old and new.