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
High Noon
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On this, our weddin' day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me
I only know I must be brave
And I must face a man who hates me
Or lie a coward in my grave
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon
He made a vow while in state prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
You made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Now that I need you by my side
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Wait along, wait along
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
Connie Francis's song "High Noon" is a song that conveys the emotional anxiety and fear that comes with preparing for a tense showdown with a dangerous adversary. The song is an adaptation of "Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin'," originally written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington for the 1952 Western film "High Noon." Connie Francis's version maintains the primary themes of the original, which revolve around the feelings of a man facing a life-changing confrontation.
The opening verse, "Do not forsake me, oh my darlin' on this, our weddin' day," sets the tone for the rest of the song, conveying the vulnerability and desperate need for support from his beloved. The singer is aware that he may not survive the confrontation, and the song explores his fear, doubts, and anxiety. The fear of losing his fair-haired beauty in the coming battle, the pressure of time represented by the big hand's movement, and the uncertainty about the future make the man feel torn between his love and responsibility.
Despite the anxiety-ridden lyrics, the song's upbeat tempo and tune mask the tension of the situation, turning it into a melodious lament. Connie Francis's rendition is heartfelt and emotional, perfectly conveying the singer's sense of unease and emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Please don't abandon me, my love
On this, our weddin' day
Especially not on our wedding day
Wait, wait along
Just wait patiently for me
I do not know what fate awaits me
I am unsure what fate has in store for me
I only know I must be brave
I do know that I need to be courageous
And I must face a man who hates me
I am obligated to confront someone who detests me
Or lie a coward, a craven coward
Or otherwise be labeled as a coward
Or lie a coward in my grave
Even if it means dying as a coward
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
It's a difficult position to choose between love and responsibility
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
What if I lose my beloved?
Look at that big hand move along
Time is ticking away
Nearin' high noon
Approaching the time of the confrontation
He made a vow while in state prison
He swore a vow while he was in prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
He promised that only one of us would come out alive
I'm not afraid of death but oh
I'm not frightened of dying, but...
What will I do if you leave me?
...what will I do if you abandon me?
You made that promise as a bride
You promised me as my wife
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Even though you're sad, please don't desert me
Now that I need you by my side
I need you to be here for me
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
So just wait patiently for me
Wait along, wait along
Wait quietly beside me
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
Just stay strong and wait with me
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mmpositivevibes8048
My Mom's favorite 10 years before I was born but I learned to love it growing up. Now I'm 51 and I had to hear it again
@susanaalair5958
This is a classic song.I remember one of our friend sang this song.She got first place on the competitions.She was admirable.She passed away almost five years.
@user-rt2wq2ux1n
ๅฐ็ใ82ๆญณใฎ่ไบบใงใใใใใฎๆ ็ปใ่ฆใพใใใใใใฎๆญใใใใใพใใใใใใใใฉใณใญใผใฌใคใณใใ่ใใไบใ็กใใใณใใผใใฉใณใทในใฏใๅใใฆใงใใ๐ฎ
@jeremiasguzman5952
Wow, I'm a kid when this song hit n d radio station, it's been 70 yrs ago, and now it's still good 2 hear bringing back past memories.
@jeffersonsalamante
ilove this song
@user-cl8vo2yy3i
I was 10yrs old when I hear this beautiful song of Connie francis
@hmq2007
Absolutely incredible! Never heard this version before. The best!
@antoniatalampas7057
My fav.
@paradise1875
My most memorable song in high school !!! Nostalgic ๐๐ถ๐ต๐ผโค๐๐๐
@jeremiasguzman5952
It's an old but goodies song, i'm a boy when this song hit at any radio station and jux boxes.