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
Breaking in a Brand New Broken Heart
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here at home is where I'll be
There's no one I care to see,
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
Now the heartaches have begun,
There's a job that must be done
I have no time for havin' fun,
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
There are tears that must be cried
Till there's no more tears inside
Let me take the count of ten,
Then I'll bounce right back again
Let me be alone till then,
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
The song Breaking in a Brand New Broken Heart by Connie Francis talks about the emotional struggles of dealing with a heartbreak. The lyrics express the singer's desire to be left alone as she navigates through the pain and tears of the heartbreak. The opening lines of the song give the impression that the singer has no interest in socializing with others or being seen in public, instead, she chooses to stay at home and deal with the pain privately. The chorus of the song emphasizes the pain of the heartbreak with the repetition of the phrase "I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart."
The next verse talks about the job that needs to be done, indicating that the singer knows that she must work through the heartbreak and heal herself. She has no time for fun and is entrenched in the process of overcoming the hurt she is experiencing. The song expresses the importance of being left alone to deal with the heartbreak and how it's necessary to go through the process of healing.
The bridge of the song speaks of the need to cry and experience the pain fully to move past it. It also shows a glimmer of hope for the singer, as she says "Then I'll bounce right back again" and reiterates that she needs to be left alone through the process. The song's lyrics convey the message of resilience and perseverance when experiencing heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
If my friends should ask for me,
If my friends come to look for me,
Here at home is where I'll be
They will find me at home
There's no one I care to see,
I do not wish to meet anyone
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
I am trying to come to terms with my broken heart
Now the heartaches have begun,
The pain of the heartbreak has started
There's a job that must be done
I have to deal with the heartbreak
I have no time for havin' fun,
There is no time for me to enjoy myself
Leave me alone and let me cry, cry, cry
Please let me be and allow me to cry
There are tears that must be cried
I need to shed tears to cope
Till there's no more tears inside
Until there are no more tears left to cry
Let me take the count of ten,
Let me take a little time
Then I'll bounce right back again
I will recover soon
Let me be alone till then,
Please let me be alone till I recover
I'm breaking in a brand new broken heart
I am trying to come to terms with my broken heart
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, JACK KELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Daly
I love this song...
But where is that place I called "home" in the sad times?
It is my motorcycle saddle.
When I ride outside my comfort zone and people ask
What brings you here?
I always answer...
"I am breaking in a brand-new broken heart"
Thanks, for the song, Connie.
Thanks, for the rides Harley.
Markku Olavi
I was 14 years in 1961, when I heard this song for the very first time!
And now, 2017, the 1st of August, still one of her best recordings!
The best female voice EVER!!
God bless you, dear!
Nancy Chasteen
I was born in 1961
My Mother and sister brought me up singing Connie! She was the rage in my toddler years. Where the boys are was always humming from my lips! 🙂
Johnny Reday
She has not a voice. She has a careless, a kiss for the ears. Marvellous. The best and sweetest feminine voice.
Jorge Mario Rodas
Connie is a very gifted singer and she was beautiful too. Her voice is something special and she sang with such feeling and depth I really enjoy hearing her songs.
Bill Moss
Seems to be an under-rated record, but the modulations in her voice are fantastic.
Milton Moore
No recording artist could possibly live
long enough to record as many immortal songs about romantic heart-
break as Connie Francis. She shall be
forever ensconced as
the "Queen of Heartbreak."
Markku Olavi
I do agree with all my heart!
Elvis Lass
Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!
Joe Davis
... Nobody sang as beautifully as Connie Francis
Arizona Paul
She was absolutely gorgeous when she was younger and what a voice. Connie, Patsy
Cline and Brenda Lee are my 3 favorite female singers of the past 60 years