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
Let the Rest of the World Go By
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Really worth while, after all
I've been wishing today I could just run away
Out where the west winds call
With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to god alone
We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by
Is the future to hold just struggles for gold
While the real world waits outside
Away out on the breast of the wonderful west
Across the great divide
With someone like you, a pal good and true
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Some place that's known to god alone
Just a spot to call our own
We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Out there beneath a kindly sky
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
And let the rest of the world go by
In Connie Francis's song, "Let The Rest Of The World Go By," the lyrics reflect on the struggles and strife that we encounter in our daily lives. The singer questions whether or not all of these struggles are truly worth it, and expresses a desire to escape and find a place to call their own. The lyrics suggest that the real world may be waiting outside of the confines of our everyday lives, and that a peaceful existence is possible if we are willing to make a change.
The song speaks to the human desire for companionship and connection, as the singer looks for a "pal good and true" to accompany them on their journey. They long to find "some place that's known to god alone," where they can build a home and find "perfect peace." The lyrics suggest that this kind of idyllic existence is possible, as long as we are willing to let go of the pressures and stresses of the outside world.
Overall, "Let The Rest Of The World Go By" is a song about finding peace and contentment in a world that can be chaotic and overwhelming. The lyrics suggest that by taking the time to find a place of our own, and by surrounding ourselves with good people, we can create the kind of life that we truly want to live.
Line by Line Meaning
Is the struggle and strife we find in this life
Questioning if all the difficulties in life are worth it
Really worth while, after all
Questioning if it's truly worth enduring hardships for a fulfilling life
I've been wishing today I could just run away
Feeling overwhelmed and desiring to escape from reality
Out where the west winds call
Dreaming of a remote and peaceful location
With someone like you, a pal good and true
Imagining having a trustworthy companion
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
Wanting to abandon current circumstances and search for something better
Some place that's known to god alone
Seeking a secret and secluded location
Just a spot to call our own
Wanting a place to belong exclusively to oneself and their companion
We'll find perfect peace, where joys never cease
Anticipating a serene and perpetual happiness
Out there beneath a kindly sky
Expecting a benevolent environment
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west
Planning to create a cozy and comfortable home in the western region
And let the rest of the world go by
Deciding to ignore the troubling aspects of the world and reside in the chosen location
Is the future to hold just struggles for gold
Questioning whether the future will consist solely of arriving at success and prosperity
While the real world waits outside
Despite the present situations, there is still a vast external world
Away out on the breast of the wonderful west
Referring to the beautiful and expansive western area
Across the great divide
Mentioning the geographic split from one region to another
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERNEST R. BALL, J. KEIRN BRENNAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@steelmank4771
Beautifully sung by a perfect voice. Connie Francis is from an era long gone and never to be duplicated....an era of Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Dean Martin and perhaps a few others who reached the pinnacle of music.
@steelmank4771
Connie's pronunciation (diction) singing these lyrics is absolutely spot on. So clear and succinct all within her extraordinary vocal talent. Stunningly good.
@paacer
Connie's fabulous voice can make any song her own. Marvellous version of this classic song .
@jakre10
How can anyone not like this? Connie's voice is wonderful and the song is beautiful. How wish we had music like this today.
@teresarudolph1256
I remember my grandma singing this to me when I was a kid. I'm so glad I found it. Connie Francis really sang this beautifully.
@AtlantaGymFan
I’ve loved her voice ever since I heard “lipstick on your collar” when I was in junior high!
@anidgomes2380
Ainda em 2020...Maravilhada🙏🇧🇷💖🇧🇷🙏
@JoeSmith-qp6qg
beautiful song and singer I been a fan of miss Connie from 1959 she could charm the birds from the trees, you could get up feeling bad and then listen to Connie and feel great again
@tarquin4592
Connie at her greatest. Lovely singer, lovely song.
@borislavbora9857
Connie wonderful voice is forever nice