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
But Not For Me
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lucky star's above, but not for me
With love to lead the way
I found more clouds are gray
Than any rainy day, could guarantee
I was a fool to fall, and get that way
I should have known the price, I'd have to pay
The memory of his kiss
I guess he's not for me
In Connie Francis's song "But Not For Me," the lyrics convey a sense of longing and heartbreak. The opening line, "They're writing songs of love, but not for me," highlights a feeling of being left out and not experiencing the same love and happiness that others are singing about. This suggests a sense of isolation and longing for a romantic connection.
The second line, "A lucky star's above, but not for me," reinforces the idea that while others may seem fortunate in love, the singer feels as if luck and happiness in romantic relationships elude her. The following lines, "With love to lead the way, I found more clouds are gray than any rainy day could guarantee," intensify the melancholic tone. The idea of love being a guiding force only leads to disappointment, as the singer discovers more sadness and grayness than joy.
The next verse explores the singer's past actions and regrets. The line, "I was a fool to fall and get that way," suggests that the singer acknowledges a wrong decision and the consequences that come with it. The lyrics continue, "I should have known the price I'd have to pay." This line implies a sense of self-blame and regret for not anticipating the eventual heartache.
The final lines of the verse, "Although I can't dismiss the memory of his kiss, I guess he's not for me," reveal that while the singer still holds onto the memory of a past lover's kiss, there is an acceptance that the relationship is not meant to be. This acceptance adds further depth to the feeling of longing and unattainable love present throughout the song.
Overall, "But Not For Me" delves into themes of unrequited love, longing, and coming to terms with the reality of a failed romance.
Line by Line Meaning
They're writing songs of love, but not for me
While others may be finding love and inspiration in the songs being written, it seems that the love portrayed in those songs is not meant for me.
A lucky star's above, but not for me
Although there may be a fortunate celestial body shining in the sky, its luck and blessings do not seem to be directed towards me.
With love to lead the way
Having love as the guiding force in my life, I hoped for happiness and fulfillment.
I found more clouds are gray
Unfortunately, I discovered that there are more moments of sadness and disappointment than expected.
Than any rainy day, could guarantee
These gloomy moments outweigh even the certainty of a rainy day, which is known to bring its own sadness.
I was a fool to fall, and get that way
In retrospect, I realize that I made a foolish decision to fall in love and allow myself to be affected in this manner.
I should have known the price, I'd have to pay
Looking back, I should have been aware of the consequences and sacrifices that would come along with pursuing love.
Although I can't dismiss
Despite my efforts to disregard or forget
The memory of his kiss
I am unable to erase the recollection of his affectionate kiss from my mind.
I guess he's not for me
In the end, it seems that he is not the right person for me, leaving me with a sense of sadness and longing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ksayre46
wow
Be Real & Supportive
Hi I never heard this yet, what CD is it on? If it's on one at all lol
ggs10000
I finally found it. It's on the soundtrack to Where The Boys Are. And the CD doesn't have the annoying glitches that are in this video.
jakre10
This movie was not her best. But singing the Gershwin songs was terrific. Connie could sing anything. I can't understand how she was paired up with Harve Presnell. She had a wonderful comedic talent as shown in Where The Boys are but she didn't like doing movies so only had the 4 which is a shame.
Milton Moore
Why do you question this pairing? 😫😖🥺
I sure liked it.
Respectfully