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
And I Love Him
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He is my baby and he lives next door
Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
He brings me coffee in my favorite cup
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love him so
When I'm in trouble and I have no friend
Everybody asks me how I know
I smile at them and say, "He told me so"
That's why I know, oh, I know
Hallelujah, I just love him so
Now, if I call him on the telephone
And tell him that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear him [KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK] on my door
In the evening when the sun goes down
When there is nobody else around
He kisses me and he holds me tight
And tells me, "Baby, everything's all right"
That's why I know, yes, I know
Hallelujah, I just love him so
Now, if I call him on the telephone
And tell him that I'm all alone
By the time I count from one to four
I hear him [KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK] on my door
The lyrics to Connie Francis's song "Hallelujah I Love Him So" tell the story of a woman who is deeply in love with her neighbor, and how he is always there for her when she needs him. The song opens with the singer introducing the object of her affection, describing him as her "baby" who lives next door. She goes on to describe how he brings her coffee and always supports her in times of trouble. The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, declares her love for him: "Hallelujah, I just love him so."
The second verse emphasizes the strength of their bond, as the singer explains that her lover has promised to stick with her through thick and thin. She even smiles at those who question her on the veracity of her relationship, telling them that he "told me so." The final verse describes how he comes to comfort her even in the dead of night, when everyone else has gone to bed. He is the one who kisses her and holds her tight, assuring her that everything will be alright.
Overall, the song is a heartfelt tribute to the enduring power of love, and how it can sustain us through life's ups and downs. The lyrics are simple, but convey a deep sense of connection and devotion between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you 'bout a guy I know
I want to tell you about the special man in my life
He is my baby and he lives next door
He's not just a guy, he's my boyfriend who lives right next to me
Every mornin' 'fore the sun comes up
Every day, before sunrise, he brings me coffee in my favorite cup
He brings me coffee in my favorite cup
He goes out of his way to make sure my mornings start off on a good note
That's why I know, yes, I know
His actions show me he loves me, so without a doubt, I know
Hallelujah, I just love him so
I am beyond happy and grateful for his love
When I'm in trouble and I have no friend
In tough times, when I feel alone and helpless
I know he'll go with me until the end
I have faith in him that he will stand by my side and support me to the very end
Everybody asks me how I know
Others are curious and wonder how I can be so sure of his love
I smile at them and say, 'He told me so'
I simply share that he has explicitly communicated his love for me, giving me even more confidence in us
Now, if I call him on the telephone
If ever I need him, even if we're apart
And tell him that I'm all alone
If I express that I feel like I have nobody there for me
By the time I count from one to four
In an instant, like magic
I hear him [KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK] on my door
He'll show up at my door to give me the love and support I need
In the evening when the sun goes down
When the day is over and darkness sets in
When there is nobody else around
When it feels like the world is empty and it's just us two
He kisses me and he holds me tight
He physically expresses his love and care towards me
And tells me, 'Baby, everything's all right'
He reassures me that everything will be okay and that he's here for me
That's why I know, yes, I know
His love for me never falters, so I am certain
Hallelujah, I just love him so
My love for him brings me immense joy and hope
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARSTEN KROEYER, NATALIE JANE APPLETON, STEPHEN GARRIKK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
frankie hunter
Fantastic, wistful interpretation of the Beatles classic. Mrs Francis is tremendously versatile.