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
In The Summer Of His Years
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Under the Texas sun
And no one guessed that a man so blessed
Would perish by the gun
Lord, would perish by the gun
A shot rang out like a sudden shout
And Heaven held its breath
Rode with him to his death
Lord, rode with him to his death
Yes, the heart of the world weighs heavy
With the helplessness of tears
For the man cut down in a Texas town
In the summer of his years
The summer of his years
And we who stay mustn't ever lose
The victories that he won
For wherever man look to freedom ?
His soul goes riding on
Lord, his soul goes riding on
The lyrics to Connie Francis's In The Summer Of His Years tell the story of a young man who rode under the Texas sun, with his head held high. The song suggests that the man was blessed and had a bright future ahead of him. However, his life was cut short by a gunshot, leaving the people around him shocked and helpless. The song notes that in that moment, the dreams of a multitude of men “rode with him to his death”.
The song paints a picture of a man who had accomplished great things in his short life, and the tragedy of his unexpected death. The lyrics also suggest that despite the loss, his soul continues to inspire others to strive for freedom. The song encourages those who remain to never forget the victories he won, and to continue working towards a better future.
Overall, the lyrics to In The Summer Of His Years are a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of fighting for freedom and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
A young man rode with his head held high
A confident young man rode gallantly on horseback.
Under the Texas sun
He was riding under the hot, burning sun of Texas.
And no one guessed that a man so blessed
No one had any idea that such a fortunate and prosperous man would suffer a tragic end.
Would perish by the gun
He would meet his end by a gun.
Lord, would perish by the gun
An expression of despair and regret for his fate.
A shot rang out like a sudden shout
Suddenly and unexpectedly, a shot was fired.
And Heaven held its breath
It was a moment of great tension as the heavens watched in anticipation of what would happen to the young man.
For the dreams of a multitude of man
The aspirations of many people rested on this young man.
Rode with him to his death
He carried the hopes and dreams of many people with him as he met his tragic end.
Lord, rode with him to his death
An expression of sadness and grief for the loss of this great man and the dreams he carried with him.
Yes, the heart of the world weighs heavy
The world is filled with sorrow and grief.
With the helplessness of tears
The tears of many people express their sadness and feeling of helplessness over this great loss.
For the man cut down in a Texas town
This man was brutally and senselessly killed in a Texas town.
In the summer of his years
This tragedy occurred during the prime of his life.
The summer of his years
A repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the significance of the moment.
And we who stay mustn't ever lose
Those who remain alive must not forget the victories and successes of this great man.
The victories that he won
We must remember the triumphs and achievements of this man.
For wherever man look to freedom ?
No matter where people seek freedom.
His soul goes riding on
This great man's spirit and legacy will continue to inspire and live on forever.
Lord, his soul goes riding on
An expression of admiration and respect for this great man and the impact he will have on people's lives.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LEE, HERBERT KRETZMER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rene LeClerc
Love this recording - sung as only Connie could.
Alan Buxbaum
The Chad Mitchell trio does a great version of this, paired with "Rally 'round the Flag," a song sung in tribute to Lincoln after his assassination.
Patti Brooks
I always cry or about to cry when I hear Connie sing this song as it was a tribute to JFK and first heard it as a kid after JFK died sung by Connie Francis !
Jim Hilliker
I love it. Thanks.
Tomppa Leinonen
i never before hear this song, this is beautiful tribute to JFK
Gollum M
I heard the June Bugg version.
Todd Thomas
C❤nnie Francis