Back to School Can Be Cruel

 

I have been an educator for many years, and I can tell you one simple truth – going back to school can be cruel. This is not just for the kids who have cherished these carefree summer days of no more pencils and no more books – even we educators suffer from what we thought was the endless summer finally ending. 

There is no shame in admitting that the summer's end brings anxiety and dread. Getting back into a rigid routine after having months of freedom is daunting. Wondering about how many things I am going to do today is a blessing. Knowing what I have to do today because of a work schedule is a decidedly different thing. 

The pleasure of enjoying sunsets

Adults love summer too, and there's no better feeling than knowing you can linger on the beach to watch the sunset because you have nothing pressing to do tomorrow. I enjoy it just as much as my children do, and there's nothing wrong with that until time runs out, and you have to face reality. 

The Calendar

"The calendar is our friend in June and becomes our enemy as it turns to September," I remember a classmate saying years ago. I recall as a kid looking at the calendar in the kitchen as my mother would for some unknown reason – now I think it was to keep us aware of the days left in summer – cross off each day with a marker. 

I was perfectly fine until the calendar flipped to August. As those days started getting crossed off, I knew my goose was going to get cooked. Each day I would try not to think about it, but inevitably all August days were crossed off, and I stared at the dreaded word SEPTEMBER like it was a black hooded executioner. 

My Kids Suffer Too

I guess my anxiety about summer ending as a kid and then as an educator was inherited by my children. I never crossed off days on the calendar – we don't even have a physical calendar in our house – but they are painfully aware that tomorrow is September 1st, and they know what that means.

When they were younger, these last days of August were filled with dread. We would finally go to Staples to get their school supplies – and the most important new backpack because every kid was apparently judged by this important item. It would have to feature currently popular characters from shows they watched on TV, and ideally their lunchboxes would have to correspond with the backpack.

Check out this funny Staples commercial with Alice Cooper. Actress Madeline Martin plays his daughter.

My kids are older now but the pressure is still the same. I'm going back to work, and it's back to school time for them. I do think this feeling is normal, and it is a good idea to examine why we feel this way. 

Why Kids Hate Back to School

1. Academic expectations have to be the number one reason kids have hated going back to school since the days of the one-room schoolhouse.  They have gone from the lazy crazy days of summer – where the only expectations were to have fun – to days filled with quizzes, tests, assignments, and the dreaded specter of homework. 

2. Structured routines return with school and that is daunting because they have spent a whole summer without a basic routine. I know how my own kids would stay up late watching movies and shows they liked, and then they could sleep late into the morning undisturbed. Going back to school means alarm clocks are set, breakfast is early – when in the summer breakfast could be had a lunch time – and then they are off to school. 

3. Social anxiety is another factor that going back to school brings. During the summer kids hang out with friends, some of whom they've known since pre-K. There is no structure to friendship in the summer; it is rather a laissez-faire arrangement of seeing friends and hanging out with little structure. 

Back to school means sitting in a classroom with different kids, new kids, and there is pressure to "make friendships" which you may not want to or do not like someone from previous experiences. Trying to make friends or trying to fit in sets up awkward situations. 

4. Loss of freedom is another reason why kids hate going back to school. Going from waking up late and doing whatever you want to do to a rigid schedule is the worst thing of all. Kids heard Alice Cooper singing "School's Out" as they ran out of the school doors in June. but now there is nothing to sing about as they head inside on the first day of school clutching new pencils, new books, and receiving those teachers' dirty looks.

5. A no phones in schools policy is something kids dread. Living in the NYC area, we have the New York State Phone-Free Schools Law. There is a statewide ban from "bell-to bell" which means no smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and internet connected laptops for the whole day. School issued devices are the only exception. For kids who spent all summer addicted to their phones or other devices, this is a withdrawal that can be very difficult for them.   

Handling Going Back to School

Both parents and kids have to prepare themselves for going back to school. For most of us here in the NYC area that means we have until next week, but many of you reading this may already have kids back in school now. What can we do to ease ourselves back into school days mode?

1. Kids and their parents should get back to a normal sleep routine gradually. If you all have been sleeping later, try to get up a little earlier each day. Start getting up 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day this week until you reach the time you would actually have to get up for work and school next Tuesday.

2. Start getting back into school/work mode with your daily activities. Maybe the kids can get their school supplies ready, read a book they know they will have to read in September – besides school supply lists reading lists or books needed for the school year can be posted online. Parents too can try to get back into a breakfast-lunch-dinner pattern that will be starting the following week.

3. Getting clothing ready or getting new clothes for the school year is a way to let reality sink in. Some kids actually have to get new uniforms for school. As a parent I realized that for some reason kids grow more during the summer, so check and make sure that last year's uniform still fits.

4. Ease anxiety by talking about how they feel about going back to school. Kids will feel better if they can explain why they are worried or scared about going back to the classroom. If they are entering a new school – like when kids transition from K-5 to middle school – they may be worried about finding their classroom and meeting new people and teachers. 

5. Going online to "meet" the teachers in advance is helpful. Many school websites have lists of faculty including pictures and biographies. Getting to know where everything is can be helpful too. If you're new to the school, why not schedule a visit to the school with your kids to find out where their classrooms are, the cafeteria, gym, and other important places. Knowing where things are can help ease nervousness of going in cold on the first day. 

Final Thoughts

Going back to school is always challenging. Parents and their kids can lower the risk of it being a catastrophe by preparing for change. Confront the notion that this is a transition phase and that expectations should be realistic that the first week – or even all of September – can be a time of adjustment and adaptation. 

Parents should remember that kids take cues from you about how to handle the situation. If you're acting nervous or stressed out about this back to school time, kids will mirror that, and it will be harder for them. Going back to school is cruel only if you allow it to be!

Take a deep breath, stay calm, and face this time with conviction that everything will work out – because invariable it always does. Oh, and by the time you go to Meet the Teacher Night – usually held during the second week of school – everything should be back to normal. 

Good luck in your transition back to school and have a great school year!

Celebrating the National Park Service's 110th Anniversay

 

The Department of the Interior managed our parks across the country until August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation (The National Park Service Organic Act) for at that time were 35 locations to be united into the National Park Service. This year we will celebrate the 110th anniversary the NPS. 

Found in All 50 States

The service manages 433 sites found across 50 states. This includes 63 national parks, most national monuments, historic places, and recreational areas. It is responsible for maintaining ecological and historic aspects of the sites, and the service must also make these places available to the public to visit and enjoy in a safe manner. 

Park Workers and Volunteers

The service is responsible for 85 million acres of land. It employs 20,000 people to work at these sites. Approximately 250,00 volunteers each year make it possible for the system to sustain its efforts to maintain such vast areas of land, mountains, waterways, and seashores. 

History

Mount Rushmore

The concept of a national park was first suggested by artist George Catlin. While visiting the Dakotas in 1832, he realized that the way of life there was being threatened by the advancement of civilization. He saw a need to preserve the culture of American Indians, the wildlife living there, and the environment. He wrote about "a nation's Park" that would maintain these things for all time. 

The First National Park

Yellowstone National Park was our nation's first national park. Since Wyoming was a territory and not a state, the park was managed by the federal government. The military was put in charge of handling all matters, and this included the famous African American Buffalo Soldiers.  

There were calls for an independent agency to manage Yellowstone and future parks. Conservationist Stephen Mather headed a campaign to create The Department of the Interior. This agency would manage all parks and sites until Wilson signed the legislation to create the NPS, when he named Mather as it's first director. 

Under Mather's leadership, he pushed for the creation of new parks, built roads, established campgrounds and lodges, and worked with car companies to promote accessibility for citizens to visit the parks. He also introduced education programs for adults and for children. 

The Reorganization Act of 1933

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

On March 3, 1933, President Herbert Hoover signed the Reorganization Act. This gave the president the authority to transfer monuments to the NPS. Later that year the new President Franklin D. Roosevelt directed that American Civil War sites be transferred from the War Department to the NPS, expanding areas that it administered. 

However, it wasn't until 1966 (when NPS turned 50 years old) that the idea of parks and sites being more accessible to the public came into sharper focus. Director George Hartzog initiated the process, and he established the National Lakeshore and National Recreation Areas. This drive began to transform the NPS into what we know today. 

Why We Should Celebrate This Anniversary

Old Faithful, Wyoming

We should appreciate the National Park Service now more than ever. Let's celebrate the importance of its mission. The service conserves ecosystems, protects endangered wildlife, maintains precious American historical sites, and offers free to low cost access to recreational spaces for millions of people to visit each year. 

It also leads the way in the fight against climate change. NPS preserves large areas of forests and plant life across its sites, and these green areas absorb carbon dioxide and clean the air that we breathe. This is an essential element that the service provides. It also strives to keep the water clean in wild habitats.

Have you visited a national park recently? I have visited a number of them over the years and have enjoyed the opportunity to swim, hike, and gaze in wonder at the amazing sights to be seen. Why not schedule a visit to national parks near you as soon as you can? They have so much to offer and truly are American treasures.  

Fun Fact: On August 25th, 2026, admission is free for the 110th anniversary of the NPS. Camping and reservation fees are still in effect.

Please enjoy this video about visiting Yosemite National Park.

Please enjoy this video about all 63 National Parks!

My Favorite Summer Songs

 

Summer songs are a lot like Christmas carols – every time I hear them they bring back the season vividly. Particular songs can even evoke special moments when I remember the event because of that song.

My list is completely subjective, so it is very likely that you would have a completely different list. That is the beauty of music – there is something for everyone. 

So, here it goes, my top ten favorite summer songs – with number one being the top one for me. 

10. Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb

When I hear this song I picture my teenage self driving on the Belt Parkway into Brooklyn to pick up my then girlfriend to go to the beach. It makes me think of great times that summer and freedom to just enjoy life.

9. "Dancing Days" by Led Zeppelin

Robert Plant sings the heartbreakingly beautiful words "Dancing days are here again as the summer evenings grow." Wow! The whole song brings back my youthful life of swimming every day, hanging out on my friend's back deck watching wrestling on TV, and barbecues that I wanted to never end.    

8. "When Doves Cry" by Prince

I was traveling through Europe with a big group of enthusiastic young people on a bus. I can remember listening to my Walkman – at the time heading toward Nice, France – and I put Prince on, and I was tapping my feet to this song. I was on top of the world seeing different places, but this song makes me think of beautiful France every time I hear it. 

7. "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful

This one always reminds me of riding the subways in New York City during a hot summer. I was taking acting classes on the upper West Side, and in those days less than half the trains were air conditioned. Some of them had the old annoying oscillating fans. Still, every time I hear this song I think of the magic of that summer. I was playing Edmund in scenes from King Lear. I will never forget it. 

6. "Rockaway Beach" by the Ramones

The band members were Queens boys like I was, and they went to a NYC high school just like I did. So, even though I never met them, they were kindred spirits. This song always makes me think of Beach 116th Street where we would get the coldest beer for our beach parties. As soon as I hear it, I instantly think of those wonderful summers. 

5. "Cruel Summer" by Bananarama

This one takes me back to riding the city subways as well. Summer in NYC is hotter than hell, so there is something "cruel" about it to be sure. However, as the sun sets and the lights come on, walking to Battery Park took all the heat away. As soon as I hear this one I feel like I'm standing there as night fell over the city looking out over the water again at an illuminated Statue of Liberty. 

Fun Fact: Check out the price of gas in the video above.

4. "Vacation" by the Go-Gos

I'm sitting in the international terminal at JFK waiting for a flight to take me to Italy. Once again I am listening to my trusty Walkman – I still miss the thing – and this song came on. It was a mix-tape – I made a lot of those back then – so it was completely random that this song came on first. Now, every time I hear it, I think of that great trip that started with this song. 

3. "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas

When I hear this one, I'm a kid again. I don't know for sure but I think I was probably nine or ten. I was at a block party playing with friends, and the adults were eating and drinking. When this song came on, almost all the people got up and started dancing – and my friends and I joined in the fun! Every time I hear this song, all I want to do is dance. 

2. "School's Out" by Alice Cooper

This is every kid's anthem every June of every school year. On that last day of school each year, I would hear this song in my head as I ran out the doors and dreamed of never having to go back. Cooper did sing, "School's out forever!" I wanted to believe him. Every September ruined the feeling, but nothing could beat the joy of hearing this song and being free of pencils and dirty looks for what did seem like forever in late June. 

1. "I Get Around" by The Beach Boys

Beach Boys' songs always make me think of summer, but this one does so most of all. I remember the summer I got my first car, and I had a lot of tapes in the glove compartment. When I would get closer to the beach, I'd pop in the Endless Summer album and listen to this song. Every time I hear it, I think about the freedom I had driving a car and had seemingly not a care in the world. 

Honorable Mention 

"Summer Breeze" by Seals and Crofts

Like most of the songs on this list, this one brings back memories. I can remember it playing in my head as I swam at the beach, toasted marshmallows at bonfires, and went to parties and had no worries. Indeed, the summer breeze made me feel fine, and I wish I could go back to that time even for one day!

In the End

So, there is my very subjective list of favorite summer songs. They all bring back good memories, but also a few tears too. I think about hearing those songs with loved ones and friends, and some of them are not here now.

Still, music has the ability to transcend moments in time. When I hear one of these songs, I feel young again, like I was experiencing it for the first time. 

Why not make your own top ten list? You might be surprised by what pops up there. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer! 

Movie Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day - Peter Parker's Evolution

 

Peter is Spider-Man

The new Marvel movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an excellent film that explores the evolution of Peter Parker (an excellent Tom Holland) and his alter ego Spider-Man. Remember this line? "With great power comes great responsibility" is something that we associate with Spider-Man. We are familiar with it in an intimate way because Peter Parker inhabits the suit, and so Spider-Man is always Peter Parker, but we forget that Peter Parker is himself when not web slinging, so where does responsibility begin and end? 

Director Destin Daniel Cretton – along with writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers – has crafted one of the best Spider-Man stories told on film. Holland has grown into the character and has made it his own, and here he is allowed to explore nuances of that responsibility to others, but Peter begins to understand that it's at the expense of his own good health and peace of mind. 

Catching Up 

MJ and Ned

In the last film – Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) created a spell that made the world forget Peter ever existed. This means that his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) no longer know him, and also all the Avengers will not know who he is, and the general public who knew Peter Parker was Spider-Man don't remember that anymore. This spell was cast because Peter's world had become too dangerous, and he mostly wanted to keep his friends safe.

This does present Peter with some difficult problems. He still loves MJ and misses his friendship with Ned. He keeps track of them online during their time at MIT. He also observes them after they graduate and return to New York City. He feels very upset about seeing them in person again and knowing that they don't recognize him. He also has lost his identity – living alone and anonymously is not exactly an exciting way to spend his life.

New Acquaintances

Frank Castle/The Punisher

Peter has made new "friends" in the form of Frank Castle (a terrific Jon Bernthal) and Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colon-Zayas). Frank and Peter are more like frenemies – Peter keeps stopping him from killing the criminals Frank is pursuing. On the other hand, Peter is working with Wolff catching criminals and hopefully preventing bigger events.

Frank mumbles about how he's going to "Kill that kid" after Peter stops him yet again in pursuit of a tank raging through Manhattan. Wolff is basically part of the fan club that has developed over the past four years, seeing Peter as the city's protector, but even she worries about him because he seems to devote his whole life to crime fighting. 

Health Issues

Peter's lack of social connections is negatively affecting his health. He is swallowing Advil to combat headaches, and his whole body seems to be revolting under his Spidey suit. After having an emotional reaction to seeing MJ and Ned, Peter comes home and just collapses on the floor. 

Peter's Wake Up Call

The next morning he finds himself enveloped in a cocoon made of spider webs hanging outside over the street below. He discovers that his senses have become enhanced, and webs are coming out of his arms instead of web shooters. This evolution is painful and makes Peter feel uncertain about what his next move should be. 

The Villains

Scorpion

Mac Gargan/Scorpion (Michael Mando) seems to be the villain at first, and Spider-Man captures him after a brutal battle. But when Peter discovers that someone is trying to break Mac out of the Department of Damage Control (DODC), it is not just one person but numerous persons. 

Peter realizes that the main villain is using telepathy to "body hop" from person to person to break Mac out of prison. Since this is unlike any villain he's ever faced before, Peter realizes that he needs help.

Getting Help

Spidey's Business Meeting with Yelena

Peter visits Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) who is the current Black Widow. In a very hilarious scene, Yelena's office is a bathhouse, and to "meet" with her, Peter must take off his Spidey suit and go into the bath with her. When he comes out of the changing room he is stripped down but still wearing his mask, causing me to laugh along with the audience in the theater.

Yelena uses her telepathic skills to zero in on a person who continually attacks the DODC looking for someone or thing called V-Max. She believes whoever this is is the one who is body hopping from person to person. Peter's job just got much more difficult.

Getting More Violent

Peter locates the escaped Scorpion and engages in another violent battle. Scorpion even recognizes a change in Spider-Man's tactics and asks him about it. Spider-Man eventually defeats Scorpion, but he injures a police officer in the process. 

DeWolff arrives on the scene and is appalled to see her badly injured officer. She warns Spider-Man that while she is grateful for all he's done for the city, if something like this happens again that she would have no choice but to arrest him. 

Controlling His Rage

Dr. Banner tries to help Peter

Being extremely upset that he hurt a police office and was out of control with his new powers, Peter visits a local university to meet with Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). He knows that Banner had invented an inhibitor to keep his Hulk alter ego in check. 

Peter impresses Banner with his understanding of the inhibitor technology. They discuss the various parameters that are needed for the inhibitor to work. Peter goes home and starts working on building an inhibitor. He also builds one for the telepathic villain because he believes that will put an end to the body hopping.  

Spoiler Territory

The rest of the way is spoiler territory. Will Peter be able to build the inhibitor to control his growing powers? Will he be able to find the villain V-Max and use the inhibitor to stop what seems to be aimed at destroying the DODC? And, or course, the most important question is this: will Peter ever get MJ and Ned back into his life?

The Verdict 

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is an awesome movie that checks all the boxes for Marvel fans and even those who are not fans. The performances are all strong, and the story keeps moving forward like a freight train right up to the thrilling final act. 

The way I see it this film is it's a great start of a new Spider-Man trilogy. In the grand scheme of things it feels like the threads are being woven to bring in other characters from the MCU – I'm hoping that will include Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox). 

I'm looking forward to more Spidey days ahead. I give this film 4.5 stars out of 5. I highly recommend that you go and see it on the big screen. You'll be happy that you did. 

Please check out the trailer below. 

Get My Novel 'Life and Death in Venice' in a Kindle Countdown Deal

 My novel, Life and Death in Venice, is entering a Kindle Countdown Deal. The promotion begins with the book being available for 99 cents starting on August 4, 2026, at 11:00 EST. It will end on August 11, 2026 at 11:00 EST. 

With the summer reading season here, Life and Death in Venice makes a good read for the beach or on your vacation wherever planes, trains, ships, and cars can take you. 

So, please get in on this great deal that will last one week. Thank you to everyone who has already ordered a copy. 

Also, the paperback version of the book is now available. Some people – myself included – prefer to hold a physical book for their reading experience. 

Get your deal here: Kindle Countdown Deal.

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of 'Star Trek TOS' – New LEGO Set of The 'Enterprise' Bridge Is Awesome!

 

To continue to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Star Trek the Original Series, LEGO has released an awesome set that captures the imagination and the inspiration of the TV show. 

Kirk, Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov on the bridge

I always felt a little slighted by the lack of Star Trek LEGO sets. We got so many Star Wars sets – not that I'm not complaining – but it is nice to see this Star Trek set joining the fold. 

There is only one previous Star Trek LEGO set – Star Trek: The Next Generation's – U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701D (#10356) and it comes with characters from that series. While that was a welcome addition, this new set inspired by Star Trek's 60th anniversary hopefully will be the first of many more Trek sets forthcoming. 

So, let's take a look at this great new LEGO set available for pre-order now – it will start shipping on September 1, 2026 – just in time to celebrate 60 years of Star Trek in our lives. 

National Star Trek Day is September 8. This year it marks the 60th anniversary of the premier of the series' broadcast debut with the first episode – "The Man Trap" – broadcast on September 8, 1966. 

The Bridge 

I cannot wait to build this one. Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge (#11385) lets you recreate the iconic bridge where so much of the action took place in the original series. It even includes a lever to swish open the turbo doors. There is also the view screen with an image of an angry Klingon on it.  

The eight minifigures

The set comes with 1,701 pieces (the ship's number) and eight minifigures – Captain James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Nyota Uhura, Hikaru Sulu, Dr. Leonard McCoy, Pavel Chekov, Nurse Christine Chapel, and Montgomery Scott. The gang's all here to embark on many adventures. 

The set comes with numerous accessories including Spock's harp, phasers, tricorders, and four tribbles. This will help you recreate many memorable moments whether you wish to position characters for display or actually play with them. 

This set box proudly announces that it is for 18+ builders and the LEGO website says that it's "a collectible building set for adult fans of the popular sci-fi franchise." The words "Adults Welcome" are prominently featured on the set's page.

The Transporter Room

The transporter room was another a place where frequent scenes took place. Series creator Gene Roddenberry's ingenious idea of "beaming" people down to a planet or up to the ship – it was actually a way to save money on the more costly small ship landing on a planet – adds another level of excitement to this set. 

With a turn of a knob, the characters can be beamed off the ship or come back on board. With the dependable Scotty at the controls, our passengers know that they're in capable hands. 

Adult LEGO Sets

Targeted adult builder

The concept of making LEGO sets for adults is interesting and fascinating. Many of us who grew up with LEGO can experience a void of not having something to build like we used to do.

My joy was having a son who loved LEGO. This gave me years of being able to build great sets – many of them Star Wars related – and there is great satisfaction looking at our playroom now filled with all of our completed sets.

Apollo 11 Lunar Lander

Sadly, my son is grown up now and those days of building together are gone. However, for Christmas I was given NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander (#10266), and that was a joy to build – my son even got in on the fun. 

Now this set sits proudly on my shelf in my office. I just have to glance up at it as I am doing my work and remember the awe and excitement of being a kid when the first men landed on the moon. That is the lasting resonance of LEGO – capturing moments that are memorable and indelible in our lives. 

The Verdict

Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge LEGO set is an awesome new set that will warm the hearts of many Star Trek fans. The combination of the iconic bridge and transporter room is a great homage to the original series that still delights fans of all ages.

I have asked Santa for this set for Christmas, so I have a long time to wait to actually build it. But I will come back here and report on what will undoubtedly be one of my favorite sets to build.

Until then, "Live Long and Prosper!" 

 Please check out this video for more details about this awesome set. 

ABBA Surprise – Frida's "I Know There's Something Going On"

 

There are sometimes things you take for granted – like a favorite TV show that suddenly gets canceled. There is also the music that you listened to in your youth. There are a few songs that I heard on the radio that I liked, but I never really investigated who was singing them. I just enjoyed them. Such is the case with the song "I Know There's Something Going On." 

The other day, I heard the song on the radio in my car, and it brought back old memories from the past. I decided I was going to look up the song when I got home. When I typed the title of the song for a search, I was shocked. I never knew that the singer of the song was ABBA band member Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad. As if that revelation was not enough, I also discovered that the distinctive drummer in the song is Phil Collins. Now listening to it again and watching the video, I'm just sorry I didn't know this sooner.

The Story of the Song

Frida and Collins in the studio

Released on August 6, 1982, "I Know There's Something Going On" was from Frida's third solo and first English language album Something's Going On. The song was written by Russ Ballard, and the album was produced by Collins. 

The song was released prior to the announcement that ABBA was going to take a break from recording and performing. This break would last into the next century, and Frida obviously was trying to take a different direction on her own.

Not Like ABBA

Frida wanted her single and album not to have an "ABBA  pop sound" to set her on her new journey. She obviously accomplished that – at least for me – because I never would have connected the song with ABBA because it sounds nothing like the group's work. 

With Collins playing the drums and also providing background vocals, the sound is quite unique and memorable. Frida's vocal is rather haunting, and the song holds up well after listening to it a number of times. It definitely had the right recipe to become a hit single. 

Documentary

The making of the single and the album was filmed by Swedish television SVT. The whole recording process was covered from the first day in the recording studio up to the release party. This indicates that Frida was very savvy about what was a new beginning for her and the end of ABBA.

The documentary includes interviews with Frida and Collins, as well Bjorn and Benny from ABBA. The musicians who worked on the album were also interviewed. While it was broadcast on SVT, the video was also made available to the public as Frida - THE DVD. 

Reception  

The cover of her third album

The single "I Know There's Something Going On" became a great success for Frida. It reached number one on the charts in Belgium and Switzerland, and it was in the top ten of most hit lists in other European countries, but it only made it to number three in her home country of Sweden. 

In the United States it reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it spent 29 weeks on that chart – which is very impressive longevity for a single. It also explains why it remained lodged in my mind all these years later because I had heard it so often back then. 

The Verdict

I think that "I Know There's Something Going On" was the perfect single to help launch Frida's solo career. The vocal is very different in retrospect when you think about how she sounded with ABBA. Her legacy with her former band was secure, but now she was setting out on a new path. 

While her voice was wonderful when she sang lead in the past – like the great song "Fernando" (1975) – in this song we hear a stronger vocal – a confident, independent, and powerful rock and roll voice like never before. Frida took this brave and necessary step, and it worked out perfectly for her. 

I hope you appreciate the song and video as much as I do. I have included the video below.