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 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, by Connie Francis, is a classic tune that speaks about destiny and how one should approach it with a gentle heart, knowing that whatever happens in life is beyond our control. The song tells a story of a young girl who is curious and apprehensive about what her future will hold. She goes on to ask her mother, teacher, and lover about all the things that may happen in her life. All of them tell her the same thing "Que sera, sera," emphasizing that her future is not in her control and what will be, will be.
Throughout the song, the lyrics of "Que Sera Sera" are repeated, and it is evident that the words ring true. Every stage of life that the young girl goes through ends with the phrase, giving an inevitable feeling of acceptance and resignation. This acceptance is shown in the way she treats her own children, telling them the same thing as her mother did to her, in a tender and loving manner. It is evident that the song's overall message is about embracing the unknown that the future holds, and that whatever will be, will be.
In conclusion, "Que Sera Sera" is a classic tune that speaks to the human psyche about the inevitability of life's twists and turns. It aims to give comfort to its listeners, telling them that it is okay to not know what is ahead of them and to embrace the journey. The song is a testament to the human spirit's resilience, showing that we are capable of gracefully accepting whatever life has to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a little girl,
As a young girl, I was curious about my future and asked my mother what it held.
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
I was doubtful about my physical appearance and status in life.
Will I be pretty?
I questioned my mother if I'd be attractive and have good looks.
Will I be rich?"
I also questioned my mother about my wealth and financial prosperity.
Here's what she said to me:
This is what my mother replied to my inquisition:
"Que sera, sera,
"Whatever will be, will be,
Whatever will be, will be;
The events that will occur in my life are beyond my control.
The future's not ours to see.
It's not within our capability to predict the future.
When I was just a child in school,
In my school days when I was still a kid, I asked my teacher a similar question.
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
I asked my teacher what options do I have in pursuing a particular occupation.
Should I paint pictures"
I inquired about painting and other artistic endeavors as my teacher was teaching us that.
Should I sing songs?"
I also asked about singing which was being taught in the school during that time.
This was her wise reply:
My teacher gave me this helpful response:
"Que sera, sera,
"Whatever will be, will be,
Whatever will be, will be;
The course of my life and what will happen is out of human control.
The future's not ours to see.
Clark Gabel helped me understand that we cannot foretell the future.
When I grew up and fell in love.
Upon reaching adulthood, I found love and thought of my future.
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
I asked my lover what our future held.
Will we have rainbows
I inquired if we'd always be lucky and happy as rainbows signify hope.
Day after day?"
I was curious about our sustained future happiness.
Here's what my sweetheart said:
Here's the response I was given:
"Que sera, sera,
"Whatever will be, will be,
Whatever will be, will be;
Our future lives and what will occur in our partnership are beyond our control.
The future's not ours to see.
As individuals, trying to predict or control the future is a futile exercise.
Now I have Children of my own.
Presently, I'm a parent of my own children.
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Just like me, my children inquire what their future holds.
Will I be handsome?
My children ask me if they'll grow up to be good-looking.
Will I be rich?"
They also ask about their financial future.
I tell them tenderly:
In a loving and gentle manner, I reply to them:
"Que sera, sera,
"Whatever will be, will be,
Whatever will be, will be;
It's beyond our capacity to predict what will happen in our lives.
The future's not ours to see.
As individuals, we cannot foretell what's going to happen in the future.
Que Sera, Sera!"
In an effort to make them feel better about the uncertainty of the future, I end with the phrase 'Que Sera, Sera!'.
Lyrics © 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...🌹💙
@jack_boettcher
I forgot Connie sung this song... Her voice fits it so very well! Very enjoyable to listen to.
@BarryPostings21
Thanks Jack, appreciated...👍👍👍
@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...♪♫♪♫♪
@BarryPostings21
Its been 3 years melodies2013. I do not forget my friends, I would go back in time and stay there too... Barry💞
@ashwilliams8876
Groovy 💀📽
@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...👍👍👍
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