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
Que Sera
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?"
Here's what she said to me:
"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."
When I was just a child in school,
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
Should I paint pictures"
Should I sing songs?"
This was her wise reply:
"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."
When I grew up and fell in love.
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows
Day after day?"
Here's what my sweetheart said:
"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."
Now I have Children of my own.
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Will I be handsome?
Will I be rich?"
I tell them tenderly:
"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be.
Que Sera, Sera!"
The song "Que Sera, Sera," which translates to "Whatever Will Be, Will Be," was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans for Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Man Who Knew Too Much." It became an instant hit and won the 1956 Academy Award for Best Original Song. Connie Francis's version of the song was released in 1964 and became one of her most popular songs. The song is a reminder that we cannot control our future, and whatever happens, happens.
The lyrics start with Connie Francis as a little girl asking her mother about her future. She wonders if she will be pretty or rich, but her mother responds with "Que sera, sera," meaning that the future is not something we can predict or control. Similarly, when Connie is in school, she asks her teacher if she should paint or sing, but the teacher's wise response is that whatever will be, will be. Even as an adult in love, Connie wonders if there will be rainbows day after day, but her sweetheart tells her that the future is not theirs to see. In the end, when Connie Francis has children of her own, they ask her the same questions about their future, but she gives them the same answer her mother gave her, reminding them that the future is not ours to see, and whatever will be, will be.
Overall, "Que Sera, Sera" is a song that reminds us that we cannot control our future, and we should make the best of what life has to offer. It is a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy life as it comes.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a little girl,
As a child, I was curious about what the future held for me, which is a natural curiosity of most children.
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
I turned to my mother to seek answers about my future since she was supposed to be my guide in life.
Will I be pretty?
I inquired whether I would grow up to be beautiful as most girls tend to be concerned with their looks.
Will I be rich?"
I also expressed interest in wealth and wondered if I would become successful and prosperous in life.
Here's what she said to me:
My mother gave me a simple yet profound answer that continues to resonate with me even today.
"Que sera, sera,
She replied in Spanish, the language of her origin, which translates to "whatever will be, will be."
Whatever will be, will be;
Her response means that we cannot control what happens in the future and we just need to accept and embrace whatever life brings us.
The future's not ours to see.
She emphasized the idea that the future holds many uncertainties and that trying to predict it is futile because it's beyond human comprehension.
When I was just a child in school,
During my formative years when I was still attending school, I sought guidance from my teacher regarding my career path.
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
I inquired about what professions I should consider pursuing as an adult to align with my interests and abilities.
Should I paint pictures"
I wanted to know if painting was a profession I should pursue since I exhibited creative tendencies.
Should I sing songs?"
I was also curious about whether singing was a suitable profession since it was an activity I enjoyed doing.
This was her wise reply:
My teacher imparted insightful advice that helped me understand the mysteries of life better.
"Que sera, sera,
She echoed the same words my mother had told me that "whatever will be, will be."
When I grew up and fell in love.
As an adult, I naturally turned to my partner for answers regarding the future, especially when we fell in love and settled down.
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
I expressed my fears and uncertainties regarding the future and wanted to know if our love would survive the years to come.
Will we have rainbows
I also inquired if things would always be bright, happy, and perfect in our relationship.
Day after day?"
I wanted to know if we would continue to be happy and in love with each other every day of our lives.
Here's what my sweetheart said:
My partner provided me with a reassuring response that made me feel hopeful and optimistic about the future.
"Que sera, sera,
She echoed the same words I had heard from my mother and teacher that "whatever will be, will be."
Now I have Children of my own.
As a mother myself, my children also ask me about their future, which brings back memories of my own childhood.
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
My children express the same curiosity that I had as a child about their future and what their lives may hold.
Will I be handsome?
They wonder if they will grow up to be attractive and physically appealing to others.
Will I be rich?"
They hope that they will be successful and fortunate enough to attain material wealth and financial stability in life.
I tell them tenderly:
As a loving mother, I provide them with the same answer I had received from my mother and the teacher, but with a tender and caring touch.
"Que sera, sera,
I repeat the age-old adage that "whatever will be, will be."
Whatever will be, will be;
I want my children to understand that life is unpredictable and that their destiny is not wholly within their control.
The future's not ours to see.
I underscore the point that it's not wise to worry or stress over the future since we cannot predict it.
Que sera, sera,
I conclude with my final repetition of the Spanish phrase that has become a mantra in my life that "whatever will be, will be."
What will be, will be."
I conclude with the powerful message that whatever occurs in life, I am prepared to handle it with grace, wisdom, and acceptance.
Que Sera, Sera!"
I utter the final phrase to signify the end of my answer and to affirm my belief that I cannot control everything in life.
Lyrics ยฉ Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ritadas5723
Que sera sung by Connie is the best
@BarryPostings21
Thank Rita...๐น๐
@jack_boettcher
I forgot Connie sung this song... Her voice fits it so very well! Very enjoyable to listen to.
@BarryPostings21
Thanks Jack, appreciated...๐๐๐
@melodies2013
My mom would sing it to my brother (who died at age 16) and to me from the time we were infants. Of the lyrics she knew only "Que sera, sera", but her warm melodious voice was undescribably beautiful... Nothing more precious and important than a happy childhood. If I could, I would go back in time and stay there forever
@BarryPostings21
Love your comments, Thank You for visiting my channel......Barry...โชโซโชโซโช
@BarryPostings21
Its been 3 years melodies2013. I do not forget my friends, I would go back in time and stay there too... Barry๐
@ashwilliams8876
Groovy ๐๐ฝ
@BarryPostings21
Many Thanks, Ash, Connie was such a beautiful lady, but age comes to take us all...
She had a beautiful voice and some great songs...๐๐๐
Thanks again for your comments...
@giuseppinafederico812
Video incantevole con una bella canzone e belle immagini di Connie tra farfalle ed uccellini., una delizia! Grazie mille