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
My Real Happiness
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that's something I don't miss I'd rather have someone to kiss
Cause my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
They say a lion gets delight a roaring thru the jungle night
I'd rather sing sweet melodies to the one I want to please
Cause my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
And love is number one with me
I wish the banker many thrills and many million dollar bills
I wish the lion much delight a roaring thru the jungle night
But my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
( strings )
But my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
To love and be loved all the time to love and be loved all the time
The lyrics of Connie Francis's song My Real Happiness are a testament to the power of love in bringing true happiness to one's life. The first verse juxtaposes the materialistic pleasures of a banker, who supposedly gets a thrill out of a million dollar bill, with the singer's own preference for the simple yet profound joy of being with someone they love. Similarly, the second verse contrasts the ferocity of a lion's roar with the singer's own desire to sing sweet melodies to please their beloved. In both instances, the singer asserts that their heart's true desire is not power or dominance, but rather the reciprocated affection of a significant other.
The chorus repeats the central message of the song: "my happiness, my real happiness, is to love and be loved all the time." This sentiment is reinforced by the song's final verse, in which the singer wishes the banker and the lion all the thrills and delights they desire, but reaffirms that their own source of happiness lies in the intimacy and connection of a loving partnership. Overall, the lyrics of My Real Happiness emphasize the importance of love and human connection as the most fulfilling and meaningful aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
They say a banker gets a thrill out of a million dollar bill
It is believed that a banker feels excitement by earning a large sum of money.
But that's something I don't miss I'd rather have someone to kiss
However, I don't desire that kind of thrill. I prefer having someone to share affection with.
Cause my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
As for me, intimacy and affection are the things that truly make me happy in life.
They say a lion gets delight a roaring thru the jungle night
It is said that a lion takes pleasure in making a loud noise while traveling through the jungle at night.
I'd rather sing sweet melodies to the one I want to please
Personally, I would rather sing songs of love to someone I wish to bring joy to.
Cause my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
This is the essence of my true joy, to give and receive love constantly.
My heart is young and fancy free
My heart is full of youthful and carefree energy.
And love is number one with me
Above all else, love is the most important thing to me.
I wish the banker many thrills and many million dollar bills
I extend well wishes to those who find excitement and wealth through financial pursuits.
I wish the lion much delight a roaring thru the jungle night
I also wish happiness to those who find joy in making their presence known through their wildness.
But my happiness my real happiness is to love and be loved all the time
Even so, my personal fulfillment comes from giving and receiving love without pause or end.
To love and be loved all the time to love and be loved all the time
To constantly share affection and connection is what brings me true and lasting joy - this is the ultimate aim of my life.
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1959 {January 19th} "My Happiness" by Connie Francis peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Top 100 chart, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" by The Platters...
"My Happiness" reached #11 on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart...
Between 1957 and 1969 the Newark, New Jersey native had forty-three records on the Hot Top 100 chart, fourteen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" for two weeks in June of 1960 and "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" for one week in March of 1962...
One of her forty-three charted records was a duet with Marvin Rainwater, "The Majesty of Love", it peaked at #93 in 1957...
Connie Francis, born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, celebrated her 83rd birthday one month ago on December 12th, 2020...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Billboard's Top 10 on January 19th, 1959:
At #3. "The Chipmunk Song" by The Chipmunks with the Music Of David Seville {the #1 record the four previous weeks}
#4. 'Donna" by Ritchie Valens
#5. "16 Candles" by The Crests
#6. "A Lover's Question" by Clyde McPhatter
#7. "Gotta Travel On" by Billy Grammer
#8. "Whole Lotta Loving" by Fats Domino
#9. "Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price
#10. "To Know Him, Is To Love Him" by The Teddy Bears
Yillian Armengo
Evening shadows make me blue
When each weary day is through
How I long to be with you, my happiness
Every day I reminisce
Dreaming of your tender kiss
Always thinking how I miss my happiness
A million years it seems
Have gone by since we shared our dreams
But I'll hold you again
There'll be no blue memories then
Whether skies are gray or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I'm with you, my happiness
Whether skies are gray or blue
Any place on earth will do
Just as long as I'm with you, my happiness
Usha George
A voice that can move the hardest heart. What meaning ,what emotion what beauty in that voice
Mac2468
She sends chills thru my body . The best
Svein Sigurd Gismarvik
Timeless, magic voice, she put all her heart into this song, just Great.
Peter Valentine
I was on an advanced pilot course in 1959 aged 18 and one of my fellow pilots was a Connie fan and every evening in the bar he would play this several times on the juke box.
So many years and so much of life has happened since then, but how this rolls back the years.
Connie, you were fantastic.
Peter Valentine
@Connie Francis Dear Connie, how kind of you to reply to one of your fans in England.
What a true star you are.
Lots of love and very best wishes from 'Merrie Olde England'.
Peter
Connie Francis
@Peter Valentine thanks for your wonderful wishes and comment it's a pleasure to me. If you don't mind I will like to have a personal conversation with you to know more about your good thoughts and advise towards me as a fan of mine.
Janett Grady
Peter...I'm guessing you by now know the replies from "Connie" are not from Connie but from someone using her name and fame... probably to sell something or to flat out rip us off.
I believe Connie Francis is still with us, but she's old and it's my guess she has no inclination to bother filing suit.
As for your mention of jukebox...I must have made Connie and other singers wealthy, with all the rolls of quarters I had dropped into a jukebox while under-age bar hopping, forever on the hunt for...well, you know.
Thanks for your comment. I love talking music, love talking Connie, and I love yapping about the good old days.
Grovensko Peskli
Connie singing a duet with herself, fantastic!
Jkr K
this song brings me to tears Connie sings it perfectly, my mom loves it and I cry my eyes out. I play it as much as she wants, I play it to make her happy that is all what matters to me.
Erick Galope
My grandmother loves this song
she is now 73 yrs old
and when we sing to a karaoke
she always sung the song and sings it to us.. love it