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 Wedding Cake
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From workin' 'round the house
When day is done
Don't think you failed me 'cause you can't afford
That dishwasher to make my life more fun
You know the measure of a man is
Much more than just the money he can make
And every woman knows a lot of joy and tears
The wedding cake is not all icing
And love and tender whispers in the dark
One slice is concern for all your dreams prayed
They won't come true and break your heart
Another slice is feedin' kids and wipin' noses
Cryin' when the doorbell rings and there are roses
Every woman knows a lot of give and take
Comes with the wedding cake
It's facin' shadows of the future
Prayin' they will fall away as we walk toward them
Searchin' for the sun
And it's long and anxious hours with the wolf at the door
Hugs and kisses when, at last, we see the dawn
So when the hands of time trace tellin' lines upon our face
And lace our hair with strands of gray
We laugh and say for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Connie Francis's song, The Wedding Cake, is an ode to the realities of married life. The opening lines, "Don't be troubled 'bout me 'cause I'm tired from workin' 'round the house when day is done," speaks to the idea that life can be exhausting, even within the confines of one's own home. The following lines, "Don't think you failed me 'cause you can't afford that dishwasher to make my life more fun," suggest that it is not material possessions like a dishwasher that make a good marriage, but rather the love and connection between two people.
The chorus of the song, "You know the measure of a man is much more than just the money he can make, and every woman knows a lot of joy and tears come with the wedding cake," further emphasizes this point. The wedding cake is used as a metaphor for the trials and tribulations that come with married life. The slices of the wedding cake represent the various challenges that married couples face, from concern for the future, to raising children, to financial struggles. Despite these challenges, however, the song suggests that there is a lot of joy to be found in marriage, as evidenced by the lines, "Hugs and kisses when, at last, we see the dawn."
Overall, The Wedding Cake is a poignant reminder that although marriage is not always easy, it is ultimately worth it. The song speaks to the idea that love, commitment, and the willingness to work through the difficult times are what make a successful marriage.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be troubled 'bout me 'cause I'm tired
Don't worry about me because I'm tired from working hard around the house.
From workin' 'round the house
I'm tired from working hard to keep our home running smoothly.
When day is done
At the end of the day.
Don't think you failed me 'cause you can't afford
Don't feel like you failed me because you can't afford to buy me expensive things like dishwashers.
That dishwasher to make my life more fun
I don't need expensive gadgets to be happy, and I don't blame you for not being able to buy them.
You know the measure of a man is
A man's worth is not just based on his ability to earn money.
Much more than just the money he can make
A man's worth is determined by his character, not his income.
And every woman knows a lot of joy and tears
Women experience both happiness and sadness, joy and pain throughout their lives.
Come with the wedding cake
These experiences are an inevitable part of life, just as wedding cake is a traditional part of a wedding.
The wedding cake is not all icing
Marriage is not just about the happy moments, but it also includes the difficult times.
And love and tender whispers in the dark
Marriage is about expressing love, even in difficult circumstances.
One slice is concern for all your dreams prayed
Marriage involves worrying about your partner's hopes and dreams, and hoping they come true.
They won't come true and break your heart
Marriage can be emotional, and sometimes, when dreams don't come true, it can be heart-wrenching.
Another slice is feedin' kids and wipin' noses
Marriage also involves raising children and taking care of them.
Cryin' when the doorbell rings and there are roses
Marriage involves both happy and sad tears. Sometimes, even receiving flowers can make you cry.
Every woman knows a lot of give and take
Women in particular understand that marriage requires compromise and sacrifice from both partners.
Comes with the wedding cake
Marriage involves many different experiences, not just the happy ones.
It's facin' shadows of the future
Marriage is about facing the unknown future together, with all its uncertainties.
Prayin' they will fall away as we walk toward them
Marriage involves relying on hope and prayer to get through difficult times.
Searchin' for the sun
Marriage is about striving to find joy and happiness, even in difficult times.
And it's long and anxious hours with the wolf at the door
Marriage involves facing challenges and fears together, including financial worries.
Hugs and kisses when, at last, we see the dawn
Marriage also includes moments of joy and tenderness, even after difficult times.
So when the hands of time trace tellin' lines upon our face
As we age and grow older, the experiences of our lives are etched on our faces.
And lace our hair with strands of gray
As we age, our hair turns gray, and we become wiser and more experienced.
We laugh and say for all who will partake
Despite all of the challenges, we can still find joy and humor in life.
Yes, for all who will partake
This is true for anyone who experiences the ups and downs of life.
It all comes with the wedding cake
All of these experiences, both good and bad, are an inevitable part of life for all of us.
Lyrics ยฉ RAGGED ISLAND MUSIC WARWICK PRODUCTION, INC.
Written by: MARGARET LEWIS, MIRA SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kamiwar Nula
Don't be troubled 'bout me 'cause I'm tired
From workin' 'round the house
When day is done
Don't think you failed me 'cause you can't afford
That dishwasher to make my life more fun
You know the measure of a man is
Much more than just the money he can make
And every woman knows a lot of joy and tears
Come with the wedding cake
The wedding cake is not all icing
And love and tender whispers in the dark
One slice is concern for all your dreams prayed
They won't come true and break your heart
Another slice is feedin' kids and wipin' noses
Cryin' when the doorbell rings and there are roses
Every woman knows a lot of give and take
Comes with the wedding cake
It's facin' shadows of the future
Prayin' they will fall away as we walk toward them
Searchin' for the sun
And it's long and anxious hours with the wolf at the door
Hugs and kisses when, at last, we see the dawn
So when the hands of time trace tellin' lines upon our face
And lace our hair with strands of gray
We laugh and say for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Kamiwar Nula
Don't be troubled 'bout me 'cause I'm tired
From workin' 'round the house
When day is done
Don't think you failed me 'cause you can't afford
That dishwasher to make my life more fun
You know the measure of a man is
Much more than just the money he can make
And every woman knows a lot of joy and tears
Come with the wedding cake
The wedding cake is not all icing
And love and tender whispers in the dark
One slice is concern for all your dreams prayed
They won't come true and break your heart
Another slice is feedin' kids and wipin' noses
Cryin' when the doorbell rings and there are roses
Every woman knows a lot of give and take
Comes with the wedding cake
It's facin' shadows of the future
Prayin' they will fall away as we walk toward them
Searchin' for the sun
And it's long and anxious hours with the wolf at the door
Hugs and kisses when, at last, we see the dawn
So when the hands of time trace tellin' lines upon our face
And lace our hair with strands of gray
We laugh and say for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
Yes, for all who will partake
It all comes with the wedding cake
LTA
I've lost count of how many songs and albums Connie has made. It's mind-boggling, especially when you consider all the different genres and languages she has recorded in.
Aysu Mammadzada
C'est Si Bon ๐ Twin Folio
Angelique Collins
top 20 easy listening and top 40 country singles chart..mind blowing!
hwang
์๋๊ฐ์ฌ๋ ํ๋ฒํ ์ฃผ๋ถ์ ์ ํ์ด ๋ด๊ธด๊ณก์ธ๋ฐ..
๋ฒ์๊ณก์ ์ฐธ ์ฌํ์ฃ
Eden Solis
I'm here because of C'est Si Bon movie. loving Jung Woo so much
์ธํธ ์ก
ํธ์ ํด๋ฆฌ์ค์ ๋ฒ์๊ณก์ด ์คํ๋ ค ์ค๋ฆฌ์ง๋ ๊ฐ๋ด......
Gilang Noordie Swara
why this video is not available?
pls reuploud, i always listen this version, i very love this version
pls dude
GK TV
๋๊ธ ๋ณด๊ณ ๋ง์นด๋กฑํฐ๋น ๋ค์ด๋ฐ์๋ดค์ต๋๋ค ๋๋ฌด ํ๋ณตํ์ด์
Gladys Betancourt
๐