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
Teddy
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's the guy I love so
He's my Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy (Teddy)
I, I love him so
Oh I remember the day that we met
I'd be so silly to ever forget
Oh Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy (Teddy)
Uh you're so shy, it doesn't matter
You're my guy can't you see
That I want you, I need you
I love you I do
And you belong to me
I'll always love you
The rest of my life
We could get married
I'd be your wife
Oh Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy
I, I love you so
I'll always love you
The rest of my life
We could get married
I'd be your wife
Oh Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy
I, I love you so
The lyrics to Connie Francis's song "Teddy" is a love song about a girl who is deeply in love with a guy named Teddy. She expresses how much she loves Teddy and how he is the only guy she wants in her life. She reminisces about the day they met and how special it was to her. She tells Teddy that she knows he is shy and it doesn't matter to her because she loves him just the way he is. She assures Teddy that he belongs to her and she wants to be with him for the rest of her life. She talks about marriage and being his wife and emphasizes her love for him by repeating "Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy (Teddy) I, I love you so."
The lyrics to "Teddy" speaks to the deeper emotions of love and the commitment that comes with it. It portrays the willingness to accept a person for who they are, despite their flaws and insecurities. The song reminds us that love can be expressed in simple but deep words and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a guy I want you to know
I want to introduce you to someone special in my life.
He's the guy I love so
I am deeply in love with him.
He's my Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy (Teddy)
His name is Teddy, and I affectionately call him by his name.
I, I love him so
My love for him is strong and unwavering.
Oh I remember the day that we met
I vividly recall the day we first met.
I'd be so silly to ever forget
It would be foolish of me to forget such a special day.
Uh you're so shy, it doesn't matter
I know you're shy, but that doesn't matter to me.
You're my guy can't you see
You're the one I've chosen, can't you see that?
That I want you, I need you
I want you and need you in my life.
I love you I do
I truly, deeply love you.
And you belong to me
You're mine and I'm yours.
I'll always love you
My love for you will never fade.
The rest of my life
For the rest of my days.
We could get married
We could become husband and wife.
I'd be your wife
I want to be your wife and spend my life with you.
Oh Teddy (Teddy) oh Teddy
I think of you fondly, Teddy.
I, I love you so
My love for you is deep and true.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL ANKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daver Smack
Her music and beautiful voice is still be discovered and appreciated by younger people today. Timeless talent.
robertj4454
Close to seventy-one and dad was a serious drinker. Dad never did a thing with me, his only son. The one exception was the day we both went to see Connie Francis in Westbury, N.Y. since we both loved her music. Thank you Connie for giving me the one good memory of being with my Dad.
daniela
i hope you’re okay!
Alisha Ortiz
This song always takes me back to my childhood. My step dad and my mom would dance this song all time and me and all my brothers and sisters would be in the back saying (TEDDY ) with deep voice. I always said I wanted some to love me like he did her.
Mike Vallen
Connie Francis sings with the voice of an angel .
Clint Walker
Man, she could really sing. No one had a voice like hers. Sings with so much emotion too. She is an Italian American angel.
Mark Reed
Her music is pure and sincere....timeless!!
Tom Weiss
One of the all time great voices.
Alan DeValle
God knows she could sing anything and make it sound totally wonderful! This is a real flashback!! And I love it. Go Connie!
1970s English Teddyboy
O`my word what a voice, there is no one alive today that could ever sing like this,if there was a contest for the most perfect singing voice Connie would win it hands down, pure perfection..