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
Funiculi Funicula
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We should be gay!
Oh my, the world should be all filled with gladness
In every way!
A song can make most anybody happy,
So let us sing;
My song is full of life and good and snappy,
It's got the swing!
Join the chorus,
Now's the time to start,
Sing the chorus
With a happy heart.
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Do your little part,
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Oh how can anybody keep from dancing
When songs they play?
And how can anybody keep from prancing,
We should be gay!
I claim the way to loosen up your feelings
Is sing and shout!
I'm thrilled all melodies are so appealing,
I dance about!
Join the chorus,
Now's the time to start,
Sing the chorus
With a happy heart.
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
With a happy heart,
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la!
The lyrics of Connie Francis's song Funiculi Funicula convey a message of positivity and joy. The opening lines of the song invite listeners to be happy, rather than being filled with sadness. The song suggests that singing and music can lift our spirits and make us feel more alive. The repetition of the phrase "Join the chorus" and the use of the word "tra-la-la" give the song a playful and lighthearted feel.
The second verse continues with the theme of movement and dancing, suggesting that music can also make us want to move our bodies. The singer claims that singing and shouting can help us "loosen up our feelings" and expresses her enthusiasm for the "appealing" melodies that make her want to dance.
Overall, Funiculi Funicula is a celebration of the power of music to bring joy and happiness into our lives. It encourages listeners to join in and sing along, to let themselves be carried away by the music and to experience the joy of being alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh why should any heart be filled with sadness?
Why allow yourself to be sad when there's so much joy to be found?
We should be gay!
We should be happy and carefree!
Oh my, the world should be all filled with gladness
The world would be a better place if everyone were happy.
In every way!
In every aspect of life!
A song can make most anybody happy,
There's something special about a song that can bring joy to almost anyone.
So let us sing;
Let's express our happiness and joy through music.
My song is full of life and good and snappy,
The song I'm singing is lively and has a good rhythm that will make you want to dance!
It's got the swing!
The song has a great rhythm, backed up by awesome instruments and backing vocals.
Join the chorus,
Join in and sing with everyone else.
Now's the time to start,
We shouldn't wait, but start singing and enjoying life now.
Sing the chorus
Sing the song's main refrain and enjoy the upbeat atmosphere.
With a happy heart.
Let's sing and dance with blissful hearts!
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Let's repeat this joyful tune.
Do your little part,
Everyone has a role in making the world a happier place, so let's start by singing this song in unison.
Oh how can anybody keep from dancing
The beat is so infectious that nobody in their right mind could resist dancing along.
When songs they play?
When the cheerful tunes are played?
And how can anybody keep from prancing,
How can anyone resist jumping up and down?
We should be gay!
Let's be happy and enjoy ourselves!
I claim the way to loosen up your feelings
I believe the best way to relax and enjoy life is through music.
Is sing and shout!
Just let loose, sing at the top of your lungs, and shout for joy!
I'm thrilled all melodies are so appealing,
I appreciate all types of music because they all have something special to offer.
I dance about!
When I hear a great song, I can't help but dance!
With a happy heart,
Let's celebrate the joy we feel within!
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Again we repeat this happy tune.
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Let's join in and sing this catchy tune with enthusiasm!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Luigi Denza, Arthur Quenzer, Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Di Rees
on Fallin'
awesome