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
Everbody's Somebody's Fool
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you don't care how many tears I cry
And though you only lead me on and hurt me,
I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye
'Cause everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
I told myself it's best that I forget you,
Though I'm a fool, at least I know the score
Yet darlin', I'd be twice as blue without you
It hurts, but I'd come running back for more
'Cause everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
Someday you'll find someone you really care for
And if her love should prove to be untrue,
You'll know how much this heart of my is breakin'
You'll cry for her the way I cried for you
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
The song, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" by Connie Francis, speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the realization that everyone is vulnerable to being hurt in love. The opening lines, "The tears I cried for you could fill an ocean, but you don't care how many tears I cry" set the emotional tone of the song. The lyrics suggest unrequited love, a common theme in music and literature. It is clear that the singer's partner is leading her on and causing her pain. Despite the heartache and disappointment, she is still unable to walk away.
The chorus of the song is where the title comes from, "Everybody's somebody's fool, everybody's somebody's plaything, and there are no exceptions to the rule." This line highlights the idea that everyone is susceptible to heartbreak in love. The song acknowledges that being in love means making oneself vulnerable and taking a risk that might end in heartbreak. The idea that everyone can be hurt in love gives the song a universal quality that continues to resonate with listeners today.
In the final verse, the song speaks to the idea that heartbreak can be cyclical. The singer suggests that someday, the person who caused her so much pain will experience that pain themselves. This idea of karma or retribution may provide some comfort to the singer, but it also highlights the cyclical nature of heartbreak. Ultimately, the song speaks to the idea that despite the pain and heartache, everyone has to take a risk at some point in order to experience love and all of the joy that it can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
The tears I cried for you could fill an ocean,
I have cried so many tears for you that they could fill an entire ocean.
But you don't care how many tears I cry
You do not care about the pain I am going through, no matter how many tears I cry.
And though you only lead me on and hurt me,
You only led me on and caused me pain.
I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye
Despite everything, I cannot bring myself to end this relationship.
'Cause everybody's somebody's fool
We all make mistakes in love, and end up looking like fools to someone else.
Everybody's somebody's plaything
We all end up being used or played by someone else in our relationships, sooner or later.
And there are no exceptions to the rule
This is just the way love works, there are no exceptions to the pain caused by love.
I told myself it's best that I forget you,
I tried to convince myself that forgetting you would be the best thing to do.
Though I'm a fool, at least I know the score
Even though I know I am making a mistake, I am still aware of what is happening.
Yet darlin', I'd be twice as blue without you
Despite everything you do to hurt me, I would be even more miserable without you.
It hurts, but I'd come running back for more
Even though it hurts, I am willing to endure more pain for you.
Someday you'll find someone you really care for
One day, you will find someone that you truly care about.
And if her love should prove to be untrue,
If that person's love proves to be false, they will experience the same heartbreak that I am going through now.
You'll know how much this heart of my is breakin'
At that point, you will understand how much pain I am currently feeling.
You'll cry for her the way I cried for you
You will experience the same heartache that I am going through now, when you see that same pain being inflicted on someone you love.
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
No one is exempt from the pain and heartache caused by love; it happens to everyone.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, JACK KELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rockymontana1951
The tears I cried for you could fill an ocean
But you don't care how many tears I cry
And though you only lead me on and hurt me
I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye
'Cause everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
I told myself it's best that I forget you
Though I'm a fool at least I know the score
Yet darlin' I'd be twice as blue without you
It hurts but I come runnin' back for more
'Cause everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
Someday you'll find someone you really care for
And if her love should prove to be untrue
You'll know how much this heart of mine is breaking
You'll cry for her the way I've cried for you
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
Everybody's somebody's plaything
And there are no exceptions to the rule
Yes, everybody's somebody's fool
@billmoss7723
I bought this in 1960, have numerous copies of it, and play it regularly. The great thing about getting older is that you don't give a toss what others think.
@paulastanding5077
THANKYOU THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO THIS HEHE
🎉🎉🎉😃😃😃😃😃😃❤❤❤❤👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
@kimyanlee2247
One of my favourites. It's Evergreen and will never get tired of listening.❤
@anniebodie1808
It gets better with age like us
@Ufoolin
We’ll said Billy bob billy Bo bob boob Bobby bob bob boobidy bop bop the boo boo bop
@craig9843
Right? And also the old songs are so much better.
@user-qs1ti2jb7o
I am 75 years old and still love her. No one today sounds as good as Connie did
@lesliepeterson1416
Not only does she have a great voice, she is absolutely beautiful. A Hall of Fame candidate for sure. I'm also glad I was born when I was. Oldies are the goodies!!!
@conniefrancis5883
Hi there
Thanks for your love and support that has brought me this far, it has been a hard time for me going through this but your love and support keeps me going and standing strong in this difficult times. I do read your heartwarming comments and I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me throughout the years.
It’s a season of love😍❤️❤️ for me and so I decided to put a smile on the faces of my fans by going through my YouTube channel and checking out on my fans, so I can get to communicate with my fans better through discussion of depth and humor listening to compliments and criticism of my career.💞💞💝💝
@lengerrard3810
Always loved connie