Connie Francis (born 12 December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Connie Francis (born 12 December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as "Who's Sorry Now?," "Where The Boys Are", and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool".
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark's Italian Down Neck or Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey neighbourhood, she is considered the most prolific and popular female rock 'n' roll hit-maker of the early rock era -- the late 1950s to the early 1960s. After an appearance on Startime, Francis was advised to change her name from Franconero to something more easily pronounceable, as well as to quit the accordion and focus on singing.
Francis' first single "Freddy" (1955) met with little success. Her next nine singles were also failures, and she began considering a career in medicine; however, "Who's Sorry Now" (a cover version of a 1923 song) launched her into super-stardom worldwide. Francis recorded the song at what was to have been her final recording session for MGM, as the label was about to drop her since her previous singles had generated little activity. She has said (paraphrased from The Billboard Book of Number One Singles by Fred Bronson) that she recorded it at the suggestion of her father, who convinced her it stood a chance of becoming a hit because it was a song adults already knew and that teenagers would dance to if it were released with a more contemporary arrangement.
The gamble paid off. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now" reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart (number four in the USA); in 2000, it was named one of the Songs of the Century. On January 1, 1958, she debuted it on Dick Clark's American Bandstand television show; by mid-year over a million copies were sold. This was followed by many other hits over the next decade, as Connie Francis became one of the most popular vocalists in the world.
Francis specialized in downbeat ballads delivered in her trademark "sobbing" style -- such as "My Happiness," "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry," "Among My Souvenirs," "Together," "Breakin' In a Brand New Broken Heart," and the Italian song "Mama," many of which were remakes of old standards. However, she also had success with a handful of more upbeat, rock-and-roll-oriented compositions, such as "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick On Your Collar," and "Vacation." Among her other notable performances were "In the Summer of His Years" (a tribute to slain U.S. President John F. Kennedy) and Bert Kaempfert's "Strangers In The Night" (although the latter song is more identified with Frank Sinatra). Both "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" went to No.1 on the Billboard music charts in 1960. In 1962 she had another No.1 hit with "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You."
Francis recorded in nine languages during her career, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, and even Japanese, and remade many of her hits in foreign languages, including "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and her signature song, "Where the Boys Are." In fact, her biggest hit album in the U.S. was 1960's Italian Favorites, and she followed it with several more albums of Italian songs over the years, as well as collections of Spanish-language and Jewish songs, among others.
"Where The Boys Are," one of many Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield compositions Francis recorded during her career (others included "Stupid Cupid" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool"), gained wide exposure through its inclusion in the 1960 motion picture with the same title. Francis had a role in the film and sang the title song. During the first half of the 1960s she starred in three additional films -- Follow the Boys (1963) (the title song of which became a No. 17 Billboard single for Francis), Looking for Love (1964) and When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965).
In 1960 Francis became the youngest headliner to sing in Las Vegas, where she played 28 days a year for nine years. In 1961 she was successful in starring in her own television special on ABC television sponsored by Brylcreem titled Kicking Sound Around, singing and acting along-side Tab Hunter, Eddie Foy Jr. and Art Carney. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on July 1, 1962 with French singing star Johnny Hallyday in a show that was taped at the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, France. On July 3, 1963 she played a Command performance before Queen Elizabeth II at the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. By 1967, she had 35 U.S. Top 40 hits, and three number ones.
Connie Francis has always been a great fan of country music and recorded several albums of country standards during her pop career. In 1969 she had a modest country hit with "The Wedding Cake" and made the country charts again in 1982 with "There's Still a Few Good Love Songs Left in Me." Several country singers found chart success remaking Francis' pop hits for the country market, including Marie Osmond ("Who's Sorry Now" in 1975), Susan Raye ("My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" in 1972), Margo Smith ("Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" in 1978), and Debby Boone.
During the height of the Vietnam War in 1967, Connie Francis performed for U.S. troops.
Francis ended her recording career in 1969. She returned in 1973 with "The Answer," a song written just for her, and soon began performing again. Her son Joey was born in 1974. Tragedies followed soon after. In 1974 she was sexually assaulted in a hotel following a performance in Westbury, New York. Nasal surgery to correct a sensitivity to air conditioning deprived her of her ability to sing professionally for four years. Her brother was murdered in 1981.
Francis' autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? was published in 1984. Francis was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental disease which includes severe depressions and manic highs. She uses the drug Lithium to balance out the emotional highs and lows caused by the disease. Connie Francis resumed her career in 1989 after discovering the drug and has continued singing and recording since then. Francis still holds a world-wide appeal shown through continued music sales and sold-out appearances.
Her latest CD The American Tour contains performances from recent shows. In late December 2004, Francis headlined in Las Vegas for the first time since 1989.
In March of 2007, Francis performed to a sold-out crowd -- composed of gay urbanites and conservative suburbanites -- in San Francisco. The "little diva" belted out versions of her "woebegone ballads . . . in full force," according to the San Franciso Chronicle's music critic.
Connie's fan club: www.conniefrancis.com
Born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark's Italian Down Neck or Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey neighbourhood, she is considered the most prolific and popular female rock 'n' roll hit-maker of the early rock era -- the late 1950s to the early 1960s. After an appearance on Startime, Francis was advised to change her name from Franconero to something more easily pronounceable, as well as to quit the accordion and focus on singing.
Francis' first single "Freddy" (1955) met with little success. Her next nine singles were also failures, and she began considering a career in medicine; however, "Who's Sorry Now" (a cover version of a 1923 song) launched her into super-stardom worldwide. Francis recorded the song at what was to have been her final recording session for MGM, as the label was about to drop her since her previous singles had generated little activity. She has said (paraphrased from The Billboard Book of Number One Singles by Fred Bronson) that she recorded it at the suggestion of her father, who convinced her it stood a chance of becoming a hit because it was a song adults already knew and that teenagers would dance to if it were released with a more contemporary arrangement.
The gamble paid off. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now" reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart (number four in the USA); in 2000, it was named one of the Songs of the Century. On January 1, 1958, she debuted it on Dick Clark's American Bandstand television show; by mid-year over a million copies were sold. This was followed by many other hits over the next decade, as Connie Francis became one of the most popular vocalists in the world.
Francis specialized in downbeat ballads delivered in her trademark "sobbing" style -- such as "My Happiness," "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry," "Among My Souvenirs," "Together," "Breakin' In a Brand New Broken Heart," and the Italian song "Mama," many of which were remakes of old standards. However, she also had success with a handful of more upbeat, rock-and-roll-oriented compositions, such as "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick On Your Collar," and "Vacation." Among her other notable performances were "In the Summer of His Years" (a tribute to slain U.S. President John F. Kennedy) and Bert Kaempfert's "Strangers In The Night" (although the latter song is more identified with Frank Sinatra). Both "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" went to No.1 on the Billboard music charts in 1960. In 1962 she had another No.1 hit with "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You."
Francis recorded in nine languages during her career, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, German, and even Japanese, and remade many of her hits in foreign languages, including "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and her signature song, "Where the Boys Are." In fact, her biggest hit album in the U.S. was 1960's Italian Favorites, and she followed it with several more albums of Italian songs over the years, as well as collections of Spanish-language and Jewish songs, among others.
"Where The Boys Are," one of many Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield compositions Francis recorded during her career (others included "Stupid Cupid" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool"), gained wide exposure through its inclusion in the 1960 motion picture with the same title. Francis had a role in the film and sang the title song. During the first half of the 1960s she starred in three additional films -- Follow the Boys (1963) (the title song of which became a No. 17 Billboard single for Francis), Looking for Love (1964) and When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965).
In 1960 Francis became the youngest headliner to sing in Las Vegas, where she played 28 days a year for nine years. In 1961 she was successful in starring in her own television special on ABC television sponsored by Brylcreem titled Kicking Sound Around, singing and acting along-side Tab Hunter, Eddie Foy Jr. and Art Carney. She appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on July 1, 1962 with French singing star Johnny Hallyday in a show that was taped at the famous Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, France. On July 3, 1963 she played a Command performance before Queen Elizabeth II at the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. By 1967, she had 35 U.S. Top 40 hits, and three number ones.
Connie Francis has always been a great fan of country music and recorded several albums of country standards during her pop career. In 1969 she had a modest country hit with "The Wedding Cake" and made the country charts again in 1982 with "There's Still a Few Good Love Songs Left in Me." Several country singers found chart success remaking Francis' pop hits for the country market, including Marie Osmond ("Who's Sorry Now" in 1975), Susan Raye ("My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" in 1972), Margo Smith ("Don't Break The Heart That Loves You" in 1978), and Debby Boone.
During the height of the Vietnam War in 1967, Connie Francis performed for U.S. troops.
Francis ended her recording career in 1969. She returned in 1973 with "The Answer," a song written just for her, and soon began performing again. Her son Joey was born in 1974. Tragedies followed soon after. In 1974 she was sexually assaulted in a hotel following a performance in Westbury, New York. Nasal surgery to correct a sensitivity to air conditioning deprived her of her ability to sing professionally for four years. Her brother was murdered in 1981.
Francis' autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? was published in 1984. Francis was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental disease which includes severe depressions and manic highs. She uses the drug Lithium to balance out the emotional highs and lows caused by the disease. Connie Francis resumed her career in 1989 after discovering the drug and has continued singing and recording since then. Francis still holds a world-wide appeal shown through continued music sales and sold-out appearances.
Her latest CD The American Tour contains performances from recent shows. In late December 2004, Francis headlined in Las Vegas for the first time since 1989.
In March of 2007, Francis performed to a sold-out crowd -- composed of gay urbanites and conservative suburbanites -- in San Francisco. The "little diva" belted out versions of her "woebegone ballads . . . in full force," according to the San Franciso Chronicle's music critic.
Connie's fan club: www.conniefrancis.com
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Kissin', Twistin', Goin' Where the Boys Are
Connie Francis Lyrics
A Little Bit of Heaven There's a dear old land of leprechauns And wondrous wishing …
Ain't That Better Baby? (Cathy Lynn - Phil Medley) I'm not a fashion and I…
All the Way When somebody loves you It's no good unless he loves you,…
And the Band Played On Tonight we're going all the way You want my lips to…
Angel Eyes Try to think that love's not around Still it's uncomfortably…
Anna Tengo gana de bailar el nuevo compass Dicen todos cuando me…
April Love April love is for the very young Every star's a wishing…
Around the World Around the world I've searched for you; I traveled on when…
Auld Lang Syne (Robert Burns) Should auld acquaintance be forgot And ne…
Aura Lee As the blackbird in the spring 'Neath the willow tree Sat an…
Baby Roo Who's got a heart as big as a whale, Who draws…
Baby's First Christmas It's baby's first Christmas, It's somethin' to see, Mommy …
Beautiful Brown Eyes Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes Beautiful, beautiful brown e…
Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart If my friends should ask for me, Here at home is…
Buttons And Bows East is east and west is west And the wrong one…
Careless Love Love, oh love, oh careless love You've fly through my head…
Clementine In a cavern down by a canyon Excavatin' for a…
Danny Boy Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen…
Dear Old Donegal It seems like only yesterday I sailed from out of Cork. A…
Don't Break the Heart That Loves You (Don't break the heart that loves you) Don't break the heart…
Down in the Valley Down in the valley, the valley so low, Late in the…
Drop It Joe Joe fell in love with a canvas queen He dreamed of…
Everybody's Somebody's Fool The tears I cried for you could fill an ocean But…
Gonna Git That Man Into my room he creeps Without making a sound Into my dreams…
Happy New Year Baby Another year is almost through, It's new year's eve and I'm…
He's Just a Scientist (Doo dee doo dee doo dee doo) (Doo dee doo dee…
Hey Ring-A-Ding Hey ring-a-ding what are you doing this evening Hey ring-a-…
High Hopes Next time your found, with your chin on the ground There…
Hollywood Whose jalopy is covered with junk But don't have any money…
Home On the Range Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam Where the…
How Are Things in Glocca Morra? I hear a bird, Londonderry bird, It well may be he's…
How Can You Buy Killarney? An American landed on Erin's green isle He gazed at Killarne…
How Long Has This Been Going On I could cry salty tears Where have I been all…
I Got Lost in His Arms Don't ask me just how it happened I wish I knew I…
I Love You Truly My wild Irish Rose the sweetest flower that grows You may…
I Won't Be Home to You When you come knockin' at my door I won't be…
I'm Falling In Love With You Tonight I'm falling in love with you tonight I'm losing my heart…
In the Good Old Summertime In the good old summertime, in the good old summertime Stro…
It Happened Last Night Oh, it happened last night as we sat in the…
It Might as Well Be Spring I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm I'm as…
It's a Great Day for the Irish It's a great day for the Irish, it's a great…
Jealous of You Your eyes may thrill me with gladness And tell me you`re…
Johnny Darlin' Johnny darlin', I've been waitin' here on you Johnny darlin'…
Kiss 'n' Twist Kiss'n twist is the latest rage the hap, hap, happiest…
Love Is a Many Splendored Thing Love is a many splendored thing It's the April rose that…
Love Is Where You Find It Love is where you find it Don′t be blind, it's all…
Love Me Tender Love me tender, love me sweet Never let me go You have…
Lullaby Of Broadway (Harry Warren - Al Dubin) Come on along and listen To the…
Many Tears Ago They said your cheating heart will make me cry And like…
McNamara's Band Oh, me name is MacNamara, I'm the leader of the…
Moon River Moon River, wider than a mile: I'm crossin' you in…
Mother Machree There's a spot in my heart, Which no colleen may own. There'…
Mr. Twister (One, two, one, two, three.) You ought to see my baby…
My Love, My Love Who makes the robin sing My love, my love Who brings the…
My Real Happiness They say a banker gets a thrill out of a…
Never On a Sunday Oh, you can kiss me on a Monday A Monday, a…
O Suzanna I've come from Alabama with the banjo on my knee I'm…
Ol' Man Mose Now one time there lived an old man With a very…
On the Outside Looking In I'm on the outside looking in An' I wanna be,…
On Top of Old Smokey On top of old Smokey All covered with snow I lost my…
Pretty Little Baby Pretty little baby, (Yah, yah) Pretty little baby, (Yah, yah…
Red River Valley From this valley they say you are going We will miss…
Robot Man I want a robot man to hold me tight One that…
Secret Love (Paul F. Webster - Sammy Fain) Once I had a secret…
Someone Else's Boy Whoa-oh-oh, Whoa, whoa Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa-oh-oh Whoa, wh…
Swanee I′ve been away from you a long time I never thought…
Taboo Slowly, the eastern moon ascended Night came and found him c…
Tammy I hear the cottonwoods whispering above Tammy tammy tammy's…
Teach Me How to Twist Teach me teach me how to twist I gotta learn…
Teddy There's a guy I want you to know He's the guy…
Telephone Lover Hello oh hello darling have you missed me you have Are…
The Last Time I Saw Paris A lady known as Paris, Romantic and Charming Has left her…
The Way You Look Tonight Some day, when I'm awfully low, When the world is…
Three Coins in the Fountain Three coins in the fountain Each one seeking happiness Throw…
Together We strolled the lane together Laughed at the rain together, …
Too Many Rules I got home last night At 10 past 2 My floks turned…
True Love, True Love Suntanned, windblown Honeymooners at last alone Feeling far …
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling There's a tear in your eye And I'm wondering why For it…
When You Wish Upon a Star When a star is born They possess a gift or two One…
Where the Boys Are Where the boys are Someone waits for me A smiling face, a…
White Cliffs of Dover There will be blue birds over The white cliffs of dover To…
Without Your Love Your other love Says she will be Yours faithfully But she'll…
You Tell Me Your Dream You had a dream dear I had one too Mine was…
You'll Never Know You'll never know just how much I miss you You'll never…
You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You You're nobody till somebody loves you You're nobody till som…
Your Love Your love is the most beautiful thing I met. Your love…
Angel Di Rees
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