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
It's Only Make Believe
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They think you really care
But myself I can't deceive
I know it's only make believe.
My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you.
No one will ever know how much I love you so
But it's o-only make believe.
My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I'd give for you,
My heart, a wedding ring, my all, my everything.
My heart I can't control, you rule my very soul,
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
But it's o-only make believe.
My one and only prayer, is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My prayer, my hope, and my schemes, you are my every dream
But it's o-only make believe
The lyrics to Connie Francis's song "It's Only Make Believe" tell a story of unrequited love. The singer, who is deeply in love with someone, realizes that the feelings are not entirely reciprocated. Although it may seem to others that their love is mutual, the singer knows that it is only make believe. Despite this knowledge, the singer still holds onto the hope that someday the one they love will care for them as much as they care for them.
The lyrics show that the singer is willing to do anything for this person. They pray that their hopes and dreams will come true and that this person will care for them. The singer is willing to give their life, heart, and everything they have to this person but in the end, it is still only make believe.
Overall, the song portrays the pain and longing of unrequited love. Despite knowing that the love they feel isn't entirely reciprocal, the singer can't help but hold onto hope.
Line by Line Meaning
People see us everywhere
Everyone observes us together
They think you really care
Others believe you have genuine feelings for me
But myself I can't deceive
I am incapable of fooling myself
I know it's only make believe.
I am aware that this is simply an illusion
My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care,
My sole desire is for you to someday genuinely care for me
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you.
I envision my desires and aspirations being fulfilled only by you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
Nobody will ever be aware of just how deeply I feel for you
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
My sole hope is for you to eventually show real affection towards me
But it's o-only make believe.
However, I recognize that all of this is just a fantasy
My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I'd give for you,
I'd give everything to see my dreams of us together come true
My heart, a wedding ring, my all, my everything.
You are the most significant thing in my life - everything I have I would give to you
My heart I can't control, you rule my very soul,
My emotions are overwhelming, and you are the one who governs them entirely
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
My exclusive wish is for you to return my affection one day
But it's o-only make believe.
However, I understand that none of what I dream about is real
My one and only prayer, is that some day you'll care,
I pray exclusively that you'll show affection for me someday
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you
I dream and hope to see you as my only companion
No one will ever know how much I love you so
It is my secret that nobody else will ever know the extent of my love for you
My prayer, my hope, and my schemes, you are my every dream
All my dreams and efforts revolve solely around you
But it's o-only make believe
Nonetheless, I am aware that this is just a facade
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CONWAY TWITTY, JACK NANCE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Walsh
Connie was a mega star in the fifties and sixties. Her musical output was phenominal. She was so lovable very much the girl next door.
Brock White
Once again her voice is unmatched!
Ishiku
Never heard or knew of this version. Very intense thanks for sharing.
Phoebe Fugate
Big fan of Connie Francis ,she can sing anything ,she is the greatest singer of all time ,,,so Beautiful 💕 It's only make Believe
Gladys Betancourt
Hermosa voz🇨🇱
Alan Byrne
Great
frankie hunter
Whatever song Connie sings it's a pleasure to listen.
Walt Eb
Hi frankie hunter, I'm glad to know you're happy. Thanks for the comment.
Gregory Miller
When Music was sweet, without enhancement, took talent to sing or play the instruments for this music to be recorded without flaw!
susan hess
It is that FLAWLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!