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
Cuando calienta el sol
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí
Es tu palpitar, es tu cara, es tu pelo
Son tus besos, me estremezco
Cuando calienta el sol
Cuando calienta el sol aquí en la playa
Es tu palpitar, tu recuerdo, mi locura
Mi delirio, me estremezco
Cuando calienta el sol
Cuando calienta el sol
Love me with all your heart, that's all I want, love
Love me with all your heart or not at all
Just promise me this: That you give me all your kisses
Every summer, every winter, every fall
Cuando calienta el sol
Cuando calienta el sol...
The lyrics of Connie Francis's song "Cuando calienta el sol" vividly describe the atmosphere and feelings experienced on a sunny day at the beach. The first verse states, "Cuando calienta el sol aqui en la playa" which translates to "When the sun heats up here on the beach." This line sets the tone and setting for the song's narrative.
The lyrics continue to depict the intense emotions and sensations felt during this moment. The line "Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí" means "I feel your body vibrating near me," emphasizing the physical closeness between two individuals. The following line, "Es tu palpitar, es tu cara, es tu pelo" translates to "It's your heartbeat, it's your face, it's your hair," alluding to the specific aspects of the person that make the singer feel overwhelmed with emotion.
As the song develops, it repeats the phrase "Cuando calienta el sol" to emphasize the powerful impact of the sun's warmth. This repetition serves as a refrain, emphasizing the central theme of the song. The lyrics also depict the recollection of the person even when they are apart ("Es tu palpitar, tu recuerdo, mi locura") meaning "It's your heartbeat, your memory, my madness." This highlights the deep attachment and longing the singer experiences.
In the final verse, the lyrics shift to a plea for love and commitment. "Love me with all your heart, that's all I want" expresses the singer's desire for complete devotion. The next line, "Just promise me this: That you give me all your kisses" emphasizes the importance of affection and intimacy. The lyrics emphasize the temporal nature of their love, as they long to experience all the seasons together ("Every summer, every winter, every fall").
In summary, "Cuando calienta el sol" by Connie Francis captures the overwhelming emotions experienced during a sunny day at the beach. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional sensations, highlighting the closeness and memories shared between two people. Ultimately, the song becomes a plea for wholehearted love and a promise to cherish each other in every season.
Line by Line Meaning
Cuando calienta el sol aqui en la playa
When the sun heats up here on the beach
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí
I feel your body vibrating close to me
Es tu palpitar, es tu cara, es tu pelo
It's your heartbeat, it's your face, it's your hair
Son tus besos, me estremezco
It's your kisses, they make me shiver
Cuando calienta el sol
When the sun heats up
Cuando calienta el sol aquí en la playa
When the sun heats up here on the beach
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí.
I feel your body vibrating close to me.
Es tu palpitar, tu recuerdo, mi locura
It's your heartbeat, your memory, my craziness
Mi delirio, me estremezco
My delirium, I shiver
Cuando calienta el sol
When the sun heats up
Cuando calienta el sol
When the sun heats up
Love me with all your heart, that's all I want, love
Love me with all your heart, that's all I want, love
Love me with all your heart or not at all
Love me with all your heart or not at all
Just promise me this: That you give me all your kisses
Just promise me this: That you give me all your kisses
Every summer, every winter, every fall
Every summer, every winter, every fall
Cuando calienta el sol
When the sun heats up
Cuando calienta el sol
When the sun heats up
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Carlos Rigual Rodriguez, Carlos Alberto Martinoli, Mario Rigual Rodriguez, Sunny Skylar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jimmy TEDESCO
Cuando calienta el sol aquí en la playa
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí
Es tu palpitar, es tu cara, es tu pelo
Son tus besos, me estremezco, oh, oh, oh
Cuando calienta el sol.....
Cuando calienta el sol aquí en la playa
Siento tu cuerpo vibrar cerca de mí
Es tu palpitar, tu recuerdo, mi locura
Mi delirio, me estremezco, oh oh oh
Cuando calienta el sol.....
Cuando calienta el sol.....
now in Ingles
tlw1950
Connie's voice was pre bliss!
buntzi10
i can listen to this voice forever .
Suzanne Robbins
One of the most gorgeous voices ever!
Helena Anttila
Me too..
Ts Tan
+buntzi10 me too!
Les Griffiths
So could I
Les Griffiths
Gregory Miller
Fluent in several languages, does a wonderful job with this song, great arrangement backing her.
amalfi348
Isn’t that what we all want - to be loved “with all of our dear one’s heart.” Nothing else would ever do!
Milan Keprt
The best version...
Adam Martinez
Perfection. So beautiful it can bring you to tears