Connie Francis (born 12 December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Connie Francis (born 12 December 1937 in Newark, New Jersey, USA) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as "Who's Sorry Now?," "Where The Boys Are", and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool".
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
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
Chitarra Romana
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Purple shadows are creeping
And the fountain is weeping
Hear the trees gently sigh
While the wind's murmuring by
As they ride from afar
All my memories awaken
'Neath each bright watching star
Play for one who's forsaken
On my Roman guitar
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Se la voce un po' velata
Accompagnami in Sordina
La mia bella fornarina al balcone non
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Purple shadows are creeping
And the fountain is weeping
Hear the trees gently sigh
While the wind's murmuring by
As they ride from afar
All my memories awaken
'Neath each bright watching star
Play for one who's forsaken
On my Roman guitar
Se la voce un po' velata
Accompagnami in Sordina
La mia bella fornarina al balcone no
Play for one who's forsaken
On my Roman guitar
And the fountain is weeping
Hear the trees gently sigh
While the wind's murmuring by
As they ride from afar
All my memories awaken
'Neath each bright watching star
Play for one who's forsaken
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Se la voce un po' velata
Accompagnami in Sordina
La mia bella fornarina al balcone non
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Purple shadows are creeping
And the fountain is weeping
Hear the trees gently sigh
While the wind's murmuring by
As they ride from afar
All my memories awaken
'Neath each bright watching star
Play for one who's forsaken
On my Roman guitar
Se la voce un po' velata
Accompagnami in Sordina
La mia bella fornarina al balcone no
Play for one who's forsaken
On my Roman guitar
"Roman Guitar" is a melancholic ballad sung by Connie Francis. The song starts with purple shadows creeping and a weeping fountain creating a sorrowful atmosphere. The trees are gently sighing and the wind is murmuring by. It invokes the memory of someone who has been forsaken who calls on the listener to play on their Roman guitar. The lyrics are in Italian and narrate a story of a person who is lonely without a home or love and their only companion is the Roman guitar. The singer implores the Roman guitar to play in a soft, velvety voice that will accompany them in their solitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Purple shadows are creeping
The shadows are getting darker and covering everything around.
And the fountain is weeping
The fountain is leaking water drops that look like tears.
Hear the trees gently sigh
The trees are making gentle noises like they're breathing out.
While the wind's murmuring by
The wind is passing by and making soft whispering sounds.
As they ride from afar
The sounds are coming from a distant place and growing closer.
All my memories awaken
The sounds remind me of things from the past that I had forgotten.
'Neath each bright watching star
Under the stars that are shining hard.
Play for one who's forsaken
Play for me, who has been left alone and abandoned.
On my Roman guitar
Playing a guitar that is a symbol of my loneliness and the place where I find solace.
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Play on, play on, my guitar.
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Let my heart cry out.
Senza casa e senza amore
Without a home or love.
Mi rimani solo tu
You are the only thing that remains with me.
Se la voce un po' velata
If my voice is a little weak.
Accompagnami in Sordina
Accompany me on mute.
La mia bella fornarina al balcone no
My beautiful baker girl is not on the balcony.
Suona, suona mia chitarra
Play on, play on, my guitar.
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Let my heart cry out.
Senza casa e senza amore
Without a home or love.
Mi rimani solo tu
You are the only thing that remains with me.
Lyrics © Sugarmusic s.p.a., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Eldo Di Lazzaro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Steve Repa
Under a mantle of stars
Beautiful Rome appears to me.
Lonely is my heart, disillusioned with love
wants to sing in the shadows.
A silent fountain
and a balcony upstairs.
Oh my Roman guitar,
do accompany me.
Play, oh play, my guitar,
let my dear heart cry,
homeless and without love
only you now remain.
If the voice is a little veiled
accompany me quietly,
my beautiful fornarina
there is no more to the balcony.
Purple shadows are creeping
and the fountain is weeping,
hear the trees gently sigh
while the wind's murmured by
as they ride from afar.
All my memories awaken
'neath each bright watching star.
Play for one who's forsaken,
oh my Roman guitar.
Play, oh play, my guitar,
let my dear heart cry,
homeless and without love
only you now remain.
If the voice is a little veiled
accompany me quietly,
my beautiful fornarina
there is no more to the balcony.
Oh my Roman guitar,
do accompany me!
Di Lazzaro
Vasso D
Chitarra romana
Κλαούντιο Βίλα
Sotto un manto di stelle
Roma bella mi appare
Solitario il mio cuor disilluso d'amor
Vuol nell'ombra cantar
Una muta fontana
E un balcone lassù
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Suona suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Se la voce è un po' velata
Accompagnami in sordina
La mia bella fornarina
Al balcone non c'è più
Lungotevere dorme
Mentre il fiume cammina
Io lo seguo perchè mi trascina con sè
E travolge il mio cuor
Vedo un ombra lontana
E una stella lassù
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Se la voce è un po' velata
Accompagnami in sordina
La mia bella fornarina
Al balcone non c'è più
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Πηγή: LyricFind
Steve Repa
Під мантією зірок
Прикрасний Рим мені зявився.
Одиноко моє серце, розчароване любов'ю
хоче співати в тіні.
Там же тиха фонтана
і балкон нагорі.
О, моя римська гітара,
супроводжуй мене.
Та грай, та гратй, моя гітара,
нехай плаче моє серце
бездомнa і абез любові
тільки ти же залишився
Якщо голос трохи стишенний
супроводжуй мене спокійно
моя прекрасна фенаріна
на балкон більше немає.
Фіолетові тіні повзають
і фонтана та плаче,
почуй, що дерева м'яко зітхають
як вітри ще мурмочуть
як вони ідуть здалека.
Всі мої спогади пробуджуються
Попід кожної (дивлячии ясної) зірки.
Грай для того, хто покинутий,
О, моя римська гітара.
Та грай, та грай, моя гітара,
нехай плаче моє серце
бездомна і без любові
тільки ти же залишився
Якщо голос трохи стишенний
супроводжуй мене спокійно
моя прекрасна фенаріна
на балконi більше немає.
О, моя римська гітара,
супроводжуй мене!
ENSEMBLE JOSSOUR EN MUSIQUE
Sotto un manto di stelle
Roma bella mi appare
Solitario il mio cuor disilluso d'amor
Vuol nell'ombra cantar
Una muta fontana
E un balcone lassù
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Suona suona mia chitarra
Lascia piangere il mio cuore
Senza casa e senza amore
Mi rimani solo tu
Se la voce è un po' velata
Accompagnami in sordina
La mia bella fornarina
Al balcone non c'è più
Lungotevere dorme
Mentre il fiume cammina
Io lo seguo perchè mi trascina con sè
E travolge il mio cuor
Vedo un ombra lontana
E una stella lassù
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Se la voce è un po' velata
Accompagnami in sordina
La mia bella fornarina
Al balcone non c'è più
O chitarra romana
Accompagnami tu
Carlos Dueñas
Esta preciosa canción italiana contiene toda la belleza y el alma de Roma, la Ciudad Eterna, y la interpretación de Connie, Concetta, tiene toda la fuerza, grandeza vocal y elegancia de esta grandísima artista italoamericana.
Volk Serij
Бесподобный голос !
Luíza Maria
A voz mais linda de todos os tempos
Giusy Zuliani
Sognare fa bene al cuore ricordando momenti indimenticabili 💎
David Gonzalez
¡Una bella voz! Bravo por Connie Fracis!
Steve Repa
Under a mantle of stars
Beautiful Rome appears to me.
Lonely is my heart, disillusioned with love
wants to sing in the shadows.
A silent fountain
and a balcony upstairs.
Oh my Roman guitar,
do accompany me.
Play, oh play, my guitar,
let my dear heart cry,
homeless and without love
only you now remain.
If the voice is a little veiled
accompany me quietly,
my beautiful fornarina
there is no more to the balcony.
Purple shadows are creeping
and the fountain is weeping,
hear the trees gently sigh
while the wind's murmured by
as they ride from afar.
All my memories awaken
'neath each bright watching star.
Play for one who's forsaken,
oh my Roman guitar.
Play, oh play, my guitar,
let my dear heart cry,
homeless and without love
only you now remain.
If the voice is a little veiled
accompany me quietly,
my beautiful fornarina
there is no more to the balcony.
Oh my Roman guitar,
do accompany me!
Di Lazzaro
Sam Topeka
As much as I like Al Martino, this is now my favorite version. Her emotions can be heard in her beautiful voice.
crocdelsud
Guao, nunca la había escuchado en voz de Connie, qué hermosura. También la música es de primera-
Jorge Mario Rodas
Strange to say I had not listened to this one. It is great as all of Connie Francis' melodies. Her voice is simply beautiful! A very gifted Singer and with a lot of talent makes up for enjoyment in listening.
matias quesada hernandez
Voz femenina que enamora.