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
Tammy
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tammy tammy tammy's in love
The ole whootie owl whootie-hoo's to the dove
Tammy oh tammy tammy's in love
Does my darling feel what i feel when he comes near
My heart beats so joyfully you'd think that he could hear
Wish i knew if he knew what i'm dreaming of
(whipporwill whipporwill you and i know)
Tammy tammy can't let him go
(the breeze from the bayou keeps murmuring low)
Tammy tammy you love him so
When the night is warm soft and warm i long for his charms
I'd sing like a violin if i were in his arms
Wish i knew if he knew what i'm dreaming of
Tammy tammy tammy's in love
The lyrics to Connie Francis's song Tammy evoke a sense of innocence and sentimentalism that is reminiscent of the 1950s era when the song was released. The cottonwoods whispering above and the whippoorwill's call to the dove provide a backdrop to the sweet and naive feeling of first love, which is what Tammy is experiencing. The singer wonders whether her sweetheart feels the same joy that she does when they are close to each other. She can hear her heart beating so ecstatically that she wishes he could hear it too.
The chorus repeats the fact that Tammy is in love and she loves him so much that she cannot let him go. The "breeze from the bayou" is whispering low, urging her to hold on to this love. The singer longs to be in his arms and to feel the warmth of his love as the night is soft and warm. She wishes she knew whether he knew what she is dreaming of, but the lyrics remain ambiguous as to whether he reciprocates her love.
Overall, Tammy is a nostalgic ode to first love and the innocence of youth. The lyrics convey the vulnerability of the young and the hope that love brings to their lives. It is a classic American song that has withstood the test of time and remains an endearing tune to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the cottonwoods whispering above
The singer hears the sound of rustling leaves from the cottonwood trees overhead.
Tammy tammy tammy's in love
Tammy is deeply in love and the singer repeats this to emphasize her joy.
The ole whootie owl whootie-hoo's to the dove
The owl and dove make their distinct sounds among the whispering trees.
Tammy oh tammy tammy's in love
Another repetition of Tammy's state of being in love.
Does my darling feel what i feel when he comes near
The singer wonders if her beloved experiences the same intense feeling whenever they are near each other.
My heart beats so joyfully you'd think that he could hear
The singer's heart swells with happiness whenever she's around him, and she feels as though he could hear the beating of her heart.
Wish i knew if he knew what i'm dreaming of
The singer wishes she could tell if her beloved knows what she dreams of.
Tammy tammy tammy's in love
Another repetition of Tammy's state of being in love.
(whipporwill whipporwill you and i know)
The singer speaks to the whippoorwill, acknowledging its knowledge of her feelings.
Tammy tammy can't let him go
Tammy is unable to let go of her beloved, emphasizing the depth of her love.
(the breeze from the bayou keeps murmuring low)
The breeze from the bayou produces a gentle murmuring sound in the background.
Tammy tammy you love him so
Tammy's love for her beloved is emphasized once more.
When the night is warm soft and warm i long for his charms
The singer yearns for her beloved's touch on nights where the warmth of the night encourages intimacy.
I'd sing like a violin if i were in his arms
The singer would express her love through song if she were held tightly by her beloved.
Wish i knew if he knew what i'm dreaming of
Repetition of her wish to know if her beloved is aware of her dreams and aspirations.
Tammy tammy tammy's in love
Final repetition of Tammy's state of being in love.
Contributed by Miles V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
tiffsaver
This song was Debbie Reynolds' signature tune, but if anyone else could do it as good (or better) it would certainly be Connie, one of the greatest of all time. Thanks for posting:)
carmen coburn
Voice of an angel. I was only 8 but my mom bought all her albums and I grew up listening to Connie's beautiful songs echoing through our house. <3
timmy asikin
Very beautiful song......my name came from this song......
Van Cabrera
are you related with rooster cogburn?
noh seon
I guess you and I are neary same age. because when my mom bought her albums I was around 7 or 8 yers oldWhenever I heard her songs I miss my mom who passed away 18 years ago
Marty Rezac
Your mother had good taste in music ! Since you posted this comment I assume you acquired your mother's good taste I'm music also .
Your a good girl . I'm shur she would be proud !
Marty
Duviedo23
Connie Francis an Icon of a singer, incomparable and pioneer in a style of music that is unforgetable. Without a doubt among top female singers who sang with emotions, range and style.
wareidav
Don`t you just love this? Angelic choir a stunning arrangement and a vocal to die for. Awesome
Ron LHeureux
I don't recall hearing Connie sing this Debby Reynolds song, but I expected greatness and am not disappointed one little bit. Simply beautiful.
Michael cee
what a dreamy voice. impeccable. pure classic