About The Song
Frida‘s 1996 Swedish-language album Djupa andetag (“Deep Breaths”) is a masterwork of mature pop, showcasing her evocative vocals against the sophisticated, atmospheric pop productions of Anders Glenmark. While the album contains many moments of quiet reflection and poignant balladry, it also explores different tempos and themes, adding to its rich tapestry. One such track offering a different kind of energy is “Kvinnor Som Springer”, which translates to “Women Who Run.” Written, like the rest of the album, by Anders Glenmark, this song presents a compelling theme centered around movement, seeking, and perhaps an underlying restlessness.
As we listen from our perspective today, April 1, 2025, the title itself suggests a departure from the stillness found elsewhere on Djupa andetag. Musically, “Kvinnor Som Springer” might possess a more driving or propulsive quality compared to the album’s ballads. Anders Glenmark‘s production likely employs synthesizers and programmed rhythms to create a sense of forward momentum, reflecting the titular action of running. The tempo could be an insistent mid-tempo or possibly even faster, imbued with a certain urgency or searching quality. While still maintaining the overall sophistication of the album, the arrangement might feature more prominent bass lines or rhythmic keyboard patterns to underscore the feeling of continuous motion. The mood conveyed could be one of determination, restlessness, perhaps even a hint of desperation or the thrill of breaking free.
Frida‘s vocal performance would be key to interpreting the feeling behind the “running.” Is it a literal depiction, or more metaphorical? Her delivery might convey a sense of breathlessness, matching the physical act, or perhaps a more internalised feeling of urgency and drive. She could imbue the lyrics with determination, portraying figures resolutely moving forward, or perhaps a more complex sense of searching for something undefined just beyond the horizon. Her mature voice, capable of conveying nuanced emotion, would prevent the theme from becoming one-dimensional, hinting at the motivations or feelings propelling this constant movement.
The lyrical theme, “Women Who Run,” invites exploration beyond the literal. While featuring figures identified as “Kvinnor,” the core concept speaks to a universal human experience: the feeling of restlessness, the need to keep moving, either towards a goal or away from confinement. The act of running can symbolize a quest for something more, a dissatisfaction with stasis, or a powerful drive for independence and self-determination. It could represent escaping limitations, whether external or internal, and forging one’s own path. The song likely focuses on this inherent energy, this compelling need to not stand still, as embodied by the figures it describes. It’s a portrayal of momentum and the often-unspoken reasons that propel individuals forward in their lives.
Within the context of Djupa andetag, “Kvinnor Som Springer” provides valuable contrast and dynamism. It injects a sense of energy and movement into an album often characterized by introspection and calm reflection. It showcases another facet of the collaboration between Frida and Anders Glenmark, demonstrating their ability to create compelling music across different tempos and moods while maintaining a cohesive, sophisticated sound. The song adds to the album’s multifaceted exploration of life experiences, acknowledging periods of seeking and restlessness alongside moments of peace or contemplation.
In conclusion, “Kvinnor Som Springer” stands as a dynamic and thought-provoking track on Frida‘s Djupa andetag. Through Anders Glenmark‘s potentially driving yet atmospheric production and Frida‘s compelling vocal interpretation, the song explores themes of movement, restlessness, and the questing spirit. It uses the image of figures in motion to delve into the universal human need for change, progress, or escape. It adds an important layer of energy to the album, further highlighting the artistic range and depth of Frida‘s celebrated 1996 comeback.