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
I'll Close My Eyes
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A song through its doors
Just as if it seems to know
I'm exclusively yours
Knowing this
I feel but one way
You will understand too
I'll close my eyes
To everyone but you
And when I do
I'll see you standing there
I'll lock my heart
To any other caress
I'll never say yes
To a new love affair
Then I'll close my eyes
To everything that's gay
If you are not there
Oh, to share each lovely day
And through the years
In those moments
When we're far apart
Don't you know I'll close my eyes
And I'll see you with my heart
The song "My Mother's Eyes" by Connie Francis is a moving tribute to a loved one who has passed away. It starts with the idea that heaven sends a song to its door, indicating that the singer is being sustained by the memory of the loved one. The next lines suggest that the singer feels that he or she belongs entirely to the loved one who has passed away. There is a sense of unity and exclusivity in the relationship.
The emotion in the song is palpable as the singer declares a commitment to the memory of the loved one. The lines "I'll close my eyes to everyone but you" and "I'll lock my heart to any other caress" suggest a boundless loyalty to the memory of the loved one.
The last verse is particularly poignant as it speaks to the distance between the singer and the loved one. The singer imagines that even when far away, he or she will "close my eyes and see you with my heart." This idea reinforces the power of memory and the importance of holding onto the memory of those we have loved.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven sends
The divine powers above take notice and send a heartwarming message.
A song through its doors
It's a melody that is delivered with love through the gates of heaven.
Just as if it seems to know
It's as if the universe knows that you belong to someone special.
I'm exclusively yours
I am yours entirely and nobody else's.
Knowing this
With this knowledge comes a feeling of certainty.
I feel but one way
My emotions towards you are singular and unwavering.
You will understand too
You will share my feelings and be mutually devoted.
In these words that I say
My sentiments are conveyed through every note and syllable of this song.
I'll close my eyes
I will focus all my attention on you and shut out the rest of the world.
To everyone but you
My heart will belong only to you and no one else.
And when I do
As I concentrate on you, I will visualize you.
I'll see you standing there
I will envision you standing before me with love in your eyes.
I'll lock my heart
I will close myself off emotionally from anyone who is not you.
To any other caress
I will not welcome any form of physical or emotional touch from another person.
I'll never say yes
I will refuse to pursue a new love interest.
To a new love affair
I will not entertain the idea of starting a new relationship with someone else.
Then I'll close my eyes
I will maintain my focus upon you, even when things get difficult.
To everything that's gay
I will forsake all happiness that doesn't include you.
If you are not there
Without you, joy will be absent from my life.
Oh, to share each lovely day
I long to spend every moment with you, even when it's routine and mundane.
And through the years
As time passes, my love for you will only strengthen.
In those moments
During the times when we are separated,
When we're far apart
When we find ourselves physically removed from each other
Don't you know I'll close my eyes
I will still visualize you and hold you dear in my heart.
And I'll see you with my heart
My love for you is so strong that I will feel your presence even when you're not with me physically.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY REID, BUDDY KAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carol's Oldies/Soul
A beautiful upload, Jim! This lady is magical- one of the most beautiful voices of all time. Thank you for this one, Jim.. really enjoyed it. Have a good night... Carol :)
Jymster46
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Carol. Beautiful voice for sure...and what a Cutie :)) I always loved her songs. Thank you so much for your comment! Stay cool :))
Jim
jakre10
Beautiful song from a beautiful album
Christine Anne
as always, great old stereo jim. top orchestra too, thumbs up from jane and brian.
Jymster46
Yes, that great old stereo, Jane and Brian. Just the way we like it. Thanks so much for listening and for the thumbs!
Jim
frankie hunter
What a diamond song in Connie Francis's beautiful tiara.
Alan DeValle
I've never heard this song by Connie Francis. Thanks for posting.
Jymster46
You are very welcome. Thank you for your comment.
Jim