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
April Love
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right thru your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away
April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right thru your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away
The song "April Love" by Connie Francis is a romantic ballad that talks about the joys and pitfalls of young love. The song starts with the line "April love is for the very young" which means that love in the spring season is typically experienced by young people who are filled with hope and optimism for the future. The next line "Every star's a wishing star that shines for you" suggests that everything seems perfect and magical when you are in love, and you believe that anything is possible.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrases "April love is all the seven wonders, one little kiss can tell you this is true". This line explains that love is the most wonderful thing that can happen to anyone and a simple kiss is enough to prove the depth of the feelings. The song then talks about how April days can bring sudden showers and how this rain helps flowers grow for the first bouquet. This line symbolizes how even in the midst of difficult times, love can bloom and grow.
However, the song also warns that love can be fleeting and can slip away through your fingers. The last line urges young lovers to hold onto their love and not let it run away. Overall, the song is a beautiful depiction of young love with its endless possibilities and its potential to bring both joy and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
April love is for the very young
Love in the month of April is meant for young people who are starting to explore and discover what love truly is.
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
There are countless opportunities and possibilities in the world that the young should never cease to dream and make wishes upon, whether it be the constellations or other things.
April love is all the seven wonders
The month of April holds the potential for young relationships to be filled with all the excitement and wonder of the seven wonders of the world.
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Love can be proclaimed and felt with just one little kiss exchanged and felt between two people.
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
While the April weather pattern is unpredictable, it can bring about unexpected changes and growth โ much like in relationships that are beginning to blossom.
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
While rain can dampen many things, it can also nurture and grow the flowers that are selected for a special bouquet โ much like experiences in relationships that help build and grow them over time.
But April love can slip right thru your fingers
Love in this month is fleeting and young hearts must be cautious to hold on and not take things for granted.
So if she's the one, don't let her run away
If the young person discovers that they have found someone special or someone who they believe is the one, they must fight to hold onto them and avoid letting them slip away.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER, SAMMY FAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Susan
[Verse1]
April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
Da da da da
April love can slip right thru your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away
[Verse2]
April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
Da da da da
April love can slip right thru your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away
Michael OLoughlin
Connie's voice is truly a gift to my ears. I still own all her 45 rpm recordings.
Irineia Costa
A mais bela voz de todos os tempos! Maravilhosa!!! ๐
Jasper7182009
What a magnificent voice Connie Francis has. But she also makes this song her own. She emphasizes the words in a different way so that the song sounds different even though you know it. You should listen to her version of "Born Free." Born Free is a commercial song but Connie Francis changes it into a personal vision of life. Connie Francis is probably the most underrated American popular singer.
Shambhu Sah
Let us hear the other version ๐
Shambhu Sah
Born free
Shambhu Sah
Put born free
VICTORIA VILLESCAS
my mom, april, passed 3 weeks ago and i just found this song. love it.
Irene Tan
Beautiful love song. It's joy to listen to it!!
Well sung!! Thanks to Connie Francis for your excellent singing!!
Jk Gou
Connieโs timeless masterpiece ๐
Ricardo Peneyra
I love this version of connie francis very much.Thanks for uploading.