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
Luna caprese
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vuie ca sufrite 'e pene dell 'ammore,
Capri ve po' ncanta'cu na parola
Sò accumparute 'e stelle a primma sera
Tutta tragara luce 'mmiezo 'o mare
'Na fascia argiento sotto e faragliune
E nu'mistero int a 'sta notte chiara
Notte 'e silenzio e io mo'chiesta canzone
Canta 'vulesse a chi m'ha affaturato
My lonely heart is waiting for my lover
He left my arms just as the moon was setting
Luna caprese, don't let him find another
Oh, my lonely heart tells me there's no forgetting
Tu, luna luna tu, luna buciarda
Famme passa'sti pene 'e gelusia
E fa ca nena fosse tutta 'a mia
Tu, luna luna tu, luna caprese
Luna caprese, luna caprese
The lyrics of Connie Francis' song Luna Caprese speak about the longing for lost love on the island of Capri in the Mediterranean Sea. The singer begs the moon, which is believed to have magic powers on the island, for help to alleviate the pain of a broken heart. The opening lines express the desire to sing a song that captures the suffering of love, which is clearly felt on the island. The stanzas that follow describe the beauty of the night sky and the sea surrounding Capri, creating a romantic and mystical atmosphere. However, the loneliness of the singer and the anguish of a love lost are evident in the lyrics. The refrain of the song repeats the name of the moon, Luna Caprese, as if to address it directly and implore for its help.
The words of this song suggest a deep emotional connection between the singer and the island of Capri. Indeed, Capri has long been associated with romance and magic, making it a popular destination for writers, artists, and lovers. Connie Francis herself felt a special connection to the island and wrote about it in her autobiography. She describes how she fell in love with a young Italian man during a visit to Capri and how the experience inspired her to write this song. Overall, Luna Caprese is a powerful reminder of the universal human experience of love, loss, and the longing for connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Ohie'cu me cantate 'sta canzone
Sing with me this song
Vuie ca sufrite 'e pene dell 'ammore
You who suffer from the pain of love
Capri ve po' ncanta'cu na parola
Capri can enchant you with just one word
Sò accumparute 'e stelle a primma sera
The stars have gathered at dusk
Tutta tragara luce 'mmiezo 'o mare
They reflect all their light in the middle of the sea
'Na fascia argiento sotto e faragliune
A silver strip below the reflection
E nu'mistero int a 'sta notte chiara
And a mystery on this clear night
Notte 'e silenzio e io mo'chiesta canzone
Night of silence and I ask for this song
Canta 'vulesse a chi m'ha affaturato
Sing it for the one who left me
My lonely heart is waiting for my lover
My lonely heart is yearning for my lover
He left my arms just as the moon was setting
He left me at sunset
Luna caprese, don't let him find another
Capri moon, don't let him find another
Oh, my lonely heart tells me there's no forgetting
My heart knows I can't forget
Tu, luna luna tu, luna buciarda
You, moon, you deceitful moon
Famme passa'sti pene 'e gelusia
Make me forget the pain of jealousy
E fa ca nena fosse tutta 'a mia
And make my girl all mine
Tu, luna luna tu, luna caprese
You, moon, Capri moon
Luna caprese, luna caprese
Capri moon, Capri moon
Writer(s): Cesareo Augusto, Ricciardi Luigi
Contributed by Leo E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pompiliomalato2774
💖💖💖Connie semplicemente fantastica...Hai uno stile di canto particolarmente interessante...Mi piaci tantissimo...Connie Francis sei meravigliosa, stupenda e splendida...❤❤❤👍👍👍
@davidrupp1682
Si la voce é molto bella, il suo modo di cantare é struggente. Bye.
@rinaldofiorini5290
Semplicemente meravigliosa♥️♥️♥️
@briciola1949
Peccato che ub destino malvagio ce l'abbia rubata troppi anni fa...
@lourivalimbuseiro5469
Connie como sempre fabulosa e uma voz potentissima,única,graves perfeitos,uma hora cristalina,em seguida,com nuances de contralto.Simplesmente A P A I X O N A N T E...
@adrianadilorenzo6626
La canzone Napoletana..e' talmente bella che chiunque puo' cantarla con sentimento...grande Conny Francis❤❤❤❤
@francescogisabella4400
E giustodrvo Deo dedicarmi ad atro adesso scusate
@jeanmarccarboni5190
Beh chiunque parliamone🤔🙏🎼
@jmrodas9
What a beautiful and wonderful voice she had! Everything she sings sounds beautiful because of her outstanding voice. Whether she sings in English, Italian, or Spanish or German, all her songs are good.
@jack_boettcher
BELLISSIMA!!!!!!!!!