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
Abends in der Mondscheinallee
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
wird so viel geküßt
weil die alte Mondscheinallee
sehr verschwiegen ist.
Jedes Girl
das einen Boyfriend hat
Wenn der Mond und alle sterne steh'n
kann man dort die Pärchen seh'n.
Ja
abends in der Mondscheinallee
sagen wir uns leis'
was dann nur die Mondscheinallee
und kein anderer weiß.
Guter Mond vergiß die Pärchen nicht
schick uns heut dein gold'nes Licht.
Jedes Girl
das braucht zum Glücklichsein
ab und zu den Mondenschein.
Ja
abends in der Mondscheinallee
sieht man Pärchen an
so daß ich die Mondscheinallee
nie vergessen kann.
Ja
abends in der Mondscheinallee
wird so viel geküßt
weil die alte Mondscheinallee
sehr verschwiegen ist.
The lyrics to Connie Francis's song Abends in der Mondscheinallee speak of the intimacy of the moonlit avenue wherein lovers gather to exchange kisses and murmurs of affection. It is a place known to all girls with boyfriends, a spot on the outskirts of the town, where the moon and stars bear witness to the loving pairs. The Mondscheinallee is an old and wise street that holds the secrets of the couples that frequent it. It is a place where confessions of the heart take place, and conversations that are meant to be kept between only two people are heard.
The atmosphere in the Mondscheinallee is mystical and magical—where the good moon sends its golden light upon the couples, making them feel truly happy in the moment. The lyrics speak of the need for girls to feel the moonlight and its energizing effect on them, driving them to seek the company of their loved one. The Mondscheinallee becomes a sacred spot for the lovers, and the memories of its magic linger long after they have left its cobblestone pathways. In essence, the song tells of a place where love is cherished, and the moonlight is celebrated for the many wonders it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Abends in der Mondscheinallee
When evening comes in the Mondscheinallee
wird so viel geküßt
So much kissing happens there
weil die alte Mondscheinallee
Because the old Mondscheinallee
sehr verschwiegen ist.
is very secretive.
Jedes Girl
Every girl
das einen Boyfriend hat
that has a boyfriend
kennt den Platz dort vor der Stadt.
knows the spot outside of town.
Wenn der Mond und alle sterne steh'n
When the moon and all the stars are in place
kann man dort die Pärchen seh'n.
you can see the couples there.
Ja
Yes,
abends in der Mondscheinallee
in the evening in the Mondscheinallee
sagen wir uns leis'
we whisper quietly to each other
was dann nur die Mondscheinallee
what only the Mondscheinallee
und kein anderer weiß.
and no one else knows.
Guter Mond vergiß die Pärchen nicht
Good moon, don't forget the couples
schick uns heut dein gold'nes Licht.
send us your golden light today.
Jedes Girl
Every girl
das braucht zum Glücklichsein
that needs to be happy
ab und zu den Mondenschein.
sometimes needs the moonlight.
Ja
Yes,
abends in der Mondscheinallee
in the evening in the Mondscheinallee
sieht man Pärchen an
you see couples
so daß ich die Mondscheinallee
so that I remember the Mondscheinallee
nie vergessen kann.
forever cannot forget.
Ja
Yes,
abends in der Mondscheinallee
in the evening in the Mondscheinallee
wird so viel geküßt
So much kissing happens there
weil die alte Mondscheinallee
because the old Mondscheinallee
sehr verschwiegen ist.
is very secretive.
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Di La
Connie ist zweifellos international eine der größten Sängerinnen aller Zeiten. Sie braucht mit ihrer einzigartigen Stimme keinen Vergleich mit anderen zu scheuen.
Peter M.
...Wunderschönes Lied und schöne Frau mit toller Stimme.
Kevin Harkin
Glorious Voice!!!
Thomas Rolfs
Immer wieder schön, diese tolle Sängerin zu hören.
Rudolf Kuehn
...ich vermisse meine Eltern 😪 ...tolles Lied und eine tolle Zeit ❤
MilkaHedgehog
Ein wunderschönes Lied
Purer Zufall
Ca 1971 das erste mal gehört. Tolle Stimme!
Kotscho MS
Wunderschön
Alfred Bernasek
WUNDERSCHÖN
westend37
Connie war die groesste Saengerin der 50er.Eine Gigantin.Connie forever.