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
The Way You Look Tonight
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the world is cold,
I will feel a glow, just thinking of you...
And the way you look tonight.
Gee, but you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft,
There is nothing for me but to love you,
With each word your tenderness grows,
Tearing my fear apart...
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
Touches my foolish heart.
Oh lovely ... Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.
Oh lovely ... Never, ever change.
Keep that breathless charm.
Won't you please arrange it
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.
The lyrics to Connie Francis's "The Way You Look Tonight" are a love song about a person who is deeply in love with their partner. The singer explains that during moments of sadness or difficulty, they think of their partner and the warmth that they provide. The song speaks of the beauty of the partner, their endearing smile, and soft cheeks, highlighting how they adore them just the way they are. The singer further emphasizes that the mere presence of their loved one fills them with joy and takes all their fears away.
The song conveys the idea that love brings comfort and positivity, and the partner is appreciated and celebrated as they are. The phrase "Just the way you look tonight" is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of appreciating one's partner for who they are, rather than expecting them to change.
Overall, "The Way You Look Tonight" is a touching love song that conveys the beauty of acceptance and the importance of appreciating the simple yet significant things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Some day, when I'm awfully low,
There may come a time when I'm feeling down and the world seems cold
When the world is cold,
During the times where the world seems harsh and unforgiving
I will feel a glow, just thinking of you...
Just the thought of you brings warmth to my heart and makes me feel better
And the way you look tonight.
You are so beautiful that just the memory of your appearance lifts my spirits
Gee, but you're lovely, with your smile so warm
You're absolutely stunning, especially when you smile with such radiance
And your cheeks so soft,
Your soft, gentle cheeks are like velvet against my skin
There is nothing for me but to love you,
There's no way I couldn't love you, you're an incredible person
Just the way you look tonight.
You're so perfect in this moment, I want to cherish it forever
With each word your tenderness grows,
As you speak, your love and care for me blossoms and fills me with warmth
Tearing my fear apart...
Your love is so strong that it overcomes any fear or doubt I may have
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
Your laughter is so adorable and genuine, and seeing your nose wrinkle makes me smile
Touches my foolish heart.
Your laughter and smile fill my heart with pure joy and happiness
Oh lovely ... Never, ever change.
You're perfect just the way you are, please don't ever change
Keep that breathless charm.
Your charm is so captivating and amazing, please never let it go
Won't you please arrange it
Please keep being amazing and keep bringing love and joy into my life
'Cause I love you ... Just the way you look tonight.
I love you just the way you are, in this moment and always
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angel Di Rees
on Fallin'
awesome