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
Like Someone in Love
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's strange, a real mystery.
Maybe you see it.
If you do see it
What on earth can it be?
Lately I find myself out gazing at stars,
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you I'm limp as a glove
And feeling like someone in love.
Lately I find myself out gazing at stars,
Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings,
Bump into things like someone in love.
Each time I look at you I'm limp as a glove
And feeling like someone in love.
Connie Francis's song "Like Someone in Love" portrays the unexplainable changes that love can bring to a person. The opening lines suggest a feeling of confusion and perplexity from the singer's point of view. She is puzzled over the inexplicable changes she perceives within herself. The next line suggests a sense of uncertainty, perhaps seeking reassurance from her partner to confirm whether there is indeed any change taking place in her mannerisms, actions or thoughts.
The lyrics go on to describe the singer's behavior when she is around this partner. She finds herself constantly out gazing at the stars, something that she has never done before, and hearing the sweet sound of guitars playing the melody of love. When around her partner, she starts walking as though she had wings, and even bumps into things. The singer becomes awkward and clumsy around her partner, a complete contrast from her confident and graceful demeanor when not in their presence. The last lines in the song suggest that her love for this person has such an intense effect on her that she feels like someone in love.
Overall, the song depicts the unexplainable feeling of falling in love, and the way this love can affect the behavior and thoughts of a person. The singer is not entirely sure if she is in love, but there has been a change within her that confuses and astounds her, and this change is all because of this special person in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
This change I feel puzzles me.
I am confused by the sudden shift in my emotions.
It's strange, a real mystery.
I find this unusual and unusual for me.
Maybe you see it.
Perhaps you have noticed this change in me.
If you do see it
If you have noticed it as well.
What on earth can it be?
What could possibly be causing this shift in my feelings?
Lately I find myself out gazing at stars, Hearing guitars like someone in love.
Recently, I have been romanticizing my surroundings.
Sometimes the things I do astound me, Mostly whenever you're around me.
I am often surprised by my own behavior, especially when I am with you.
Lately I seem to walk as though I had wings, Bump into things like someone in love.
I feel like I am floating on air and am not paying attention to my surroundings.
Each time I look at you I'm limp as a glove And feeling like someone in love.
Whenever I see you, I feel weak and head over heels in love with you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. Burke, J. Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lourivalimbuseiro5469
Que voz doce e suave como anjo.do Céu mandando o orvalho e perfumando como só a primavera com suas flores multicoloridas...
@LoveTheOConnor
Beautiful song by Ms. Francis, Jim, and another gorgeous video by you! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a marvelous rest of your weekend, my friend :))
@nipstertunes
LoveTheOConnor I'm so happy you liked it, Heather! I just love her songs. Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. Wishing you a wonderful upcoming week.
Jim
@dsanw
A wonderful video dear Jim, thank you for this lovely song.
Have a wonderful weekend with your family, hope all is well with you and yours.
Best wishes, Uli
@nipstertunes
dsanw Hi, Uli! You are very welcome, I am so glad you liked this one. I love her songs. Thank you so much for your comments, my friend. They are very much appreciated! Wishing you all the best and a wonderful weekend as well.
Jim