Shine (Frida album)

After the success of Something's Going On, Phil Collins was to produce again for Frida's next album, but as Genesis formed part of his other commitments, producer Steve Lillywhite took over his role.

Recording began on 1 February 1984, at the Studios de la Grande Armée, Paris, France. The producer was Steve Lillywhite, and at only 29 years of age, he was already known for his work with Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones and U2 amongst others. Lilywhite's then-wife Kirsty MacColl co-wrote three songs that made the album, as well as a fourth recorded at the sessions and used as a B-side.

At the time of recording, both Something's Going On and Shine, Lyngstad wanted to distance herself from the "typical ABBA pop-sound" and try new directions. Lillywhite managed to give Lyngstad an even more modern and complex soundscape than Phil Collins had done on her previous album. In Frida – The DVD, when speaking about Shine and its failure to recreate the success of its predecessor, Lyngstad herself said "that maybe this album became a bit too modern for its time".[2]

Shine features songwriting contributions from musicians such as Stuart Adamson, Kirsty MacColl, Simon Climie (of Climie Fisher fame), and Pete Glenister – Alison Moyet's co-writer and producer. The Shine album is also unique as it saw the debut of Lyngstad as a songwriter in both "Don't Do It" and "That's Tough", the latter also features her son Hans Fredriksson as co-writer. (Frida also wrote "I Don't Wanna Be Alone" during this period). The track "Slowly" was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA. This is the last commercially released song written by the ABBA composers to be recorded by either of ABBA's female vocalists to date.

The lead single from the album was the title track, "Shine". In some countries "Twist in the Dark", "Come To Me (I Am Woman)" and "Heart of the Country" were released as singles. Shine reached the Top 10 on the album charts in Sweden, Norway and Belgium, and the Top 20 in the Netherlands.

Side 1

1. "Shine" (Kevin Jarvis, Guy Fletcher, Jeremy Bird) – 4:39
2. "One Little Lie" (Simon Climie, Kirsty MacColl) – 3:44
3. "The Face" (Daniel Balavoine, Kirsty MacColl) – 3:40
4. "Twist in the Dark" (Andee Leek) – 3:43
5. "Slowly" (Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson) – 4:34

Side 2

1. "Heart of the Country" (Stuart Adamson)– 4:38
2. "Come to Me (I Am Woman)" (Eddie Howell, David Dundas) – 5:04
3. "Chemistry Tonight" (Pete Glenister, Simon Climie, Kirsty MacColl) – 4:56
4. "Don't Do It" (Anni-Frid Lyngstad) – 4:37
5. "Comfort Me" (Pete Glenister) – 4:28

• Anni-Frid Lyngstad – lead vocals, backing vocals
• Tony Levin – bass guitar
• Pete Glenister – electric and acoustic guitar
• Simon Climie – keyboards, synthesizers, harpsichord, backing vocals
• Mark Brzezicki – drums
• Marc Chantreau – percussion
• Rutger Gunnarsson – bass on "Shine" and "Chemistry Tonight"
• Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals