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
Guaglione
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bambino
Ne pleure pas, Bambino
Les yeux battus, la mine triste et les joues blêmes
Tu ne dors plus, tu n'es que l'ombre de toi-même
Seul dans la rue tu rôdes comme une âme en peine
Et tous les soirs sous sa fenêtre on peut te voir
Je sais bien que tu l'adores
(Bambino, bambino)
Et qu'elle a de jolis yeux
(Bambino, bambino)
Mais tu es trop jeune encore
(Bambino, bambino)
Pour jouer les amoureux
Et gratte, gratte sur ta mandoline
Mon petit Bambino
Ta musique est plus jolie
Que tout le ciel de l'Italie
Et canta, canta de ta voix câline
Mon petit Bambino
Tu peux chanter tant que tu veux
Elle ne te prend pas au sérieux
Avec tes cheveux si blonds
(Bambino, bambino)
Tu as l'air d'un chérubin
(Bambino, bambino)
Vas plutôt jouer au ballon
(Bambino, bambino)
Comme font tous les gamins
Tu peux fumer comme un Monsieur des cigarettes
Te déhancher sur le trottoir quand tu la guettes
Tu peux pencher sur ton oreille ta casquette
Ce n'est pas ça, qui dans son cœur, te vieillira
L'amour et la jalousie
(Bambino, bambino)
Ne sont pas des jeux d'enfant
(Bambino, bambino)
Et tu as toute la vie
(Bambino, bambino)
Pour souffrir comme les grands
Et gratte, gratte sur ta mandoline, mon petit Bambino
Ta musique est plus jolie
Que tout le ciel de l'Italie
Et canta, canta de ta voix câline
Mon petit Bambino
Tu peux chanter tant que tu veux
Elle ne te prend pas au sérieux
Si tu as trop de tourments
(Bambino, bambino)
Ne les garde pas pour toi
(Bambino, bambino)
Vas les dire à ta maman
(Bambino, bambino)
Les mamans c'est fait pour ça
Et là, blotti dans l'ombre douce de ses bras
Pleure un bon coup, et ton chagrin s'envolera
The lyrics of the song "Bambino" by Connie Francis tell the story of a young boy named Bambino who is infatuated with a girl but is too young and naive to understand the complexities of love and relationships. Bambino is depicted as being sad and lost, wandering the streets aimlessly at night and playing his mandolin beneath the girl's window. Despite his best efforts, the girl does not take him seriously and instead sees him as a child who should be playing games rather than pursuing her romantically.
The song's chorus encourages Bambino to continue playing his music and singing with his charming voice, as it is hinted that this may someday win over the girl's heart. However, the lyrics also caution him against growing up too quickly and engaging in adult activities like smoking or attempting to act cool, as these behaviors will not truly impress the girl and may leave him hurt in the long run. Ultimately, Bambino is advised to seek comfort from his mother and to not internalize his emotions, as it is okay to feel vulnerable and to rely on those closest to you for support.
Overall, the song "Bambino" is a poignant reflection on the confusion and heartbreak that can arise from first love, and it reminds listeners that it is important to cherish the innocence of youth and to seek guidance and comfort from those who care.
Line by Line Meaning
Bambino
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Bambino
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Ne pleure pas, Bambino
Do not cry, Bambino
Les yeux battus, la mine triste et les joues blêmes
Your eyes are dark, your face is sad, and your cheeks are pale
Tu ne dors plus, tu n'es que l'ombre de toi-même
You don't sleep anymore, you are just a shadow of yourself
Seul dans la rue tu rôdes comme une âme en peine
You wander alone in the streets like a lost soul
Et tous les soirs sous sa fenêtre on peut te voir
And every evening, people can see you under her window
Je sais bien que tu l'adores
I know that you adore her
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Et qu'elle a de jolis yeux
And that she has pretty eyes
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Mais tu es trop jeune encore
But you are still too young
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Pour jouer les amoureux
To play the lover
Et gratte, gratte sur ta mandoline
And play, play on your mandolin
Mon petit Bambino
My little Bambino
Ta musique est plus jolie
Your music is prettier
Que tout le ciel de l'Italie
Than all the sky of Italy
Et canta, canta de ta voix câline
And sing, sing with your soft voice
Mon petit Bambino
My little Bambino
Tu peux chanter tant que tu veux
You can sing as much as you want
Elle ne te prend pas au sérieux
She doesn't take you seriously
Avec tes cheveux si blonds
With your hair so blonde
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Tu as l'air d'un chérubin
You look like a cherub
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Vas plutôt jouer au ballon
Instead, go play ball
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Comme font tous les gamins
Like all the other kids do
Tu peux fumer comme un Monsieur des cigarettes
You can smoke cigarettes like a grown man
Te déhancher sur le trottoir quand tu la guettes
And sway on the sidewalk when you watch her
Tu peux pencher sur ton oreille ta casquette
You can tilt your hat over your ear
Ce n'est pas ça, qui dans son cœur, te vieillira
But that's not what will make you mature in her heart
L'amour et la jalousie
Love and jealousy
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Ne sont pas des jeux d'enfant
Are not child's play
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Et tu as toute la vie
And you have your whole life
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Pour souffrir comme les grands
To suffer like adults do
Si tu as trop de tourments
If you have too many worries
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Ne les garde pas pour toi
Don't keep them to yourself
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Vas les dire à ta maman
Go tell your mom
(Bambino, bambino)
Term of endearment for the subject of the song
Les mamans c'est fait pour ça
That's what moms are for
Et là, blotti dans l'ombre douce de ses bras
And there, snuggled in the soft shadow of her arms
Pleure un bon coup, et ton chagrin s'envolera
Cry it out, and your sadness will fly away
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Fanciulli Giuseppe, Nicola Salerno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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