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
Early in the Morning
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Bout the break of day
I asked the Lord
Let me find the way
Let me find the way
To the promised land
Won't you lend this body
I asked the Lord won't you help me please
Find the way
When the new days dawning
I bow my head in prayer
I pray to the Lord
Won't you lead me there
Won't you guide me safely
To the golden stair
Won't you let this body
Your burden share
I asked the Lord won't you help me please
Lead me there
When judgments comes
And finds the world in chains
When the trumpet blows
Call my name
When thunder rolls
And the heavens break
When the sun turns black
I'm gonna shout again
When the trumpet blows won't you call me please
Call my name
When the trumpet blows won't you call me please
Call my name
Won't you please
Call my name
In Connie Francis's song "Early in the Morning," the singer expresses her yearning for guidance and assistance from The Lord. In the first verse, she announces her desire to find the way to the promised land, which could represent salvation or eternal rest in heaven. She pleads for God's help in accomplishing this task, implying that she is struggling to find her way on her own. In the second verse, she goes further and asks for God's guidance to lead her to safety and the "golden stairs," possibly alluding to the gates of heaven. She then implores God to let her share his burden, reaffirming her faith in his omnipotence.
In the final verse, the singer shifts to an apocalyptic tone, anticipating the end of the world when God's judgments will come, and the trumpet will sound, calling for the faithful to join him in heaven. This verse suggests that the singer is aware of the inevitability of this event and desires to be called by name, implying that she hopes to be among the chosen ones. The song's lyrics are a bold declaration of faith, a recognition of humanity's struggles, and the hope for salvation, all underpinned by a firm belief in The Lord's power and benevolence.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning
At the beginning of the day
'Bout the break of day
Around sunrise
I asked the Lord
I prayed to God
Let me find the way
Guide me on the right path
To the promised land
To a better place
Won't you lend this body
Help me with my struggles
Your helping hand
Your guidance and support
I asked the Lord won't you help me please
I pleaded with God for assistance
Find the way
Guide me in the right direction
When the new days dawning
At the beginning of a new day
I bow my head in prayer
I worship and ask for guidance
Won't you lead me there
Guide me to a better place
Won't you guide me safely
Help me avoid dangers
To the golden stair
To a place of great hope and joy
Won't you let this body
Please help me with my struggles
Your burden share
Take on my responsibilities
When judgments come
When divine punishment is near
And finds the world in chains
When the world faces destruction
When the trumpet blows
A symbol of divine intervention
Call my name
Summon me to a better place
When thunder rolls
A sign of danger
And the heavens break
A time of great change and turmoil
When the sun turns black
A symbol of the end of times
I'm gonna shout again
I will proclaim my faith and hope
Won't you please call my name
Please summon me to a better place
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER GOSLING, PETER SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ki Mu
It's so crazy to think she, and even Dionne Warwick are still alive.
Connie Francis was less than ten years younger than Marilyn Monroe.
We think these people are so far from us, yet they're walking history.
Willie Nelson is less than ten away in age from Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney, and Warwick/ Francis.
All notably alive at the time of this writing, late 2022.
SteveMichaels Michaels
Yes, Connie is still alive and well. Photos of her have been posted on Facebook showing her out and about enjoying lunches and dinners with dear friends. It is true that she has stopped touring and recording.
anamia
She is still living
connie francis
@Jorge Mario Rodas 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.
Jorge Mario Rodas
@connie francis dear Connie, for me, you are the greatest female singer ever! Your voice is the best I have ever heard. Regards and happy to know you are still here.
connie francis
@Bill O'Brien text me on mail
connie francis
@Bill O'Brien conniefrancis38
MADELINE TRAMANTANO
THERES NO ONE LIKE HER. AND NEVER WILL MATCH HER WONDERFULL VOICE.
Shareef Salih
She's still alive
abraham domingo
Connie Francis is the number one female singer for me, since when I was young until now.
Bridget Tynanes
@connie francis So happy to hear from you ! That your alive & well ! My Mother was a big fan of yours. I grew up in Seattle & thought you had too. I guess my Mom was wrong about that. But, she really admired your talent, beauty & strength ! God Bless ! 🤩😘🙏💪👍🤙