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
Cold Cold Heart
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
In anger unkind words are spoke that make the teardrops start
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain't smart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold. cold heart?
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold. cold heart?...
In Connie Francis's song Cold Cold Heart, the lyrics describe a painful and confusing situation where the singer is trying hard to show their love to their partner but is constantly met with doubt and mistrust. The partner seems to be haunted by a past love that has left them sad and blue, making them wary of any affection shown to them. The singer is hurt by this the most and wonders why they can't open up their heart and accept the love that they need and want. Even though the singer tries to be patient and caring, their partner's cold, cold heart remains unyielding and unresponsive, causing further distance and pain between them.
The lyrics of Cold Cold Heart are a powerful expression of heartache and yearning, showcasing the pain of unrequited love and distrust. Connie Francis's emotive voice adds another layer of depth to the lyrics, making the song a timeless classic that has resonated with audiences for decades. One of the most striking aspects of the song is its ability to capture the complex emotions and thoughts of both the singer and their partner, creating a vivid picture of a relationship that is fraught with difficulties and misunderstandings.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried so hard my dear to show that you're my every dream
I put in a lot of effort to express to you that you are my only dream and desire.
Yet you're afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme
You are hesitant of all my actions, assuming they are a part of some malicious plan.
A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart
A memory of your past, which haunts you, is acting as a barrier between us.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?
I'm trying to understand what's preventing me from helping you overcome your suspicions and emotional distance from me.
Another love before my time made your heart sad and blue
Your previous relationship brought misery and grief to your heart before I came into your life.
And so my heart is paying now for things I didn't do
I'm being penalized for someone else's wrongdoing, which I had absolutely no role in.
In anger unkind words are spoke that make the teardrops start
Our fights bring out bitter words and tears, which could have been avoided.
You'll never know how much it hurts to see you sit and cry
It breaks my heart to see you suffer and cry, and you'll never comprehend the pain that brings me.
You know you need and want my love yet you're afraid to try
You're aware that you want and require my affection, but you're fearful of making an effort to get it.
Why do you run and hide from life, to try it just ain't smart
Why do you withdraw from life and hide from opportunities? It's not intelligent to avoid making an effort.
There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me
There was a time when I was confident that you were mine.
But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory
Now, I realize that you are emotionally tied to a painful memory, and that's preventing you from being fully committed to me.
The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart
As much as I try to care for you, it feels like you are slipping further away from me.
Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold. cold heart?...
I'm still trying to grasp what it will take to assuage your doubts and disperse the emotional walls you've erected around your heart.
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Migs Dizon
I could listen to her songs all day long. Beautiful voice 😊!
Storm Breaker
No one can sing this song like she did❤
One of the most beautiful voices
Ron LHeureux
As far as I know, Connie is still with us.
Storm Breaker
@Ron LHeureux she always be with us through her songs
Edward Basdeo
@connie francis Thanks so much for all your melodious songs I really enjoy listening . May God bless you and please keep on singing for all of us
connie francis
@Edward Basdeo thanks for your wonderful wishes and comment it's a pleasure to me. If you don't mind I will like to have a personal conversation with you to know more about your good thoughts and advise towards me as a fan of mine.
Tito boy
This is the very best version ; she sing it with love and passion ! It touched my heart so much and can t stop crying !
Ray Garcia
so beautiful....every song that comes out of Connie is magnificent...thank you ...
Ron LHeureux
What a classic song. Not connies original, but still haunting.
Nathalie Ellington
Beautiful voice of Connie Francis !!!!