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
Young at Heart
Connie Francis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It can happen to you if you're young at heart (young at heart)
For it's hard, you will find
To be narrow of mind if you're young at heart (young at heart)
You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
Don't you know that it's worth
Every treasure on earth to be young at heart (young at heart)
For as rich as you are
It's much better by far to be young at heart (young at heart)
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of bein' alive
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart
(Don't you know that it's worth)
(Every treasure on earth to be young at heart)
(For as rich as you are)
(It's much better by far to be young at heart)
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of bein' alive
And here is the best part, you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart
The lyrics of Connie Francis's song "Young at Heart" promote the idea of having a youthful outlook on life. The song emphasizes the idea of embracing one's inner child and seeing the world with fresh eyes. The opening lines, "Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you if you're young at heart," suggest that being young at heart is crucial to achieving one's dreams. The song highlights that life is full of ups and downs, it may fall apart, but if you have a young heart, even those moments can be entertaining. The lyrics also suggest that falling in love is one of the most exciting things that can happen to someone.
The line, "And if you should survive to a hundred and five, look at all you'll derive out of bein' alive," indicates that even in old age, one can still find joy and excitement in life. The song inspires people to be curious, adventurous, and have a positive attitude towards life. The lyrics suggest that staying young at heart can make life much more meaningful, enjoyable, and extraordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Fairy tales can come true
Dreams we set in our minds can become a reality
It can happen to you if you're young at heart (young at heart)
If you remain optimistic and youthful, great things can happen in your life
For it's hard, you will find
It is difficult to grasp the world and its opportunities if you are close-minded
To be narrow of mind if you're young at heart (young at heart)
If you approach the world with a youthful and curious perspective, you will not limit yourself
You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can think big and chase after grand ideas
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
Even when things do not go according to plan, you can find joy and positivity within yourself
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
Life constantly offers new opportunities and unexpected moments, making it all the more thrilling
And love is either in your heart or on the way
Love is always present in your heart, or just around the corner waiting to be found
Don't you know that it's worth
This message is important, and should not be ignored
Every treasure on earth to be young at heart (young at heart)
Being youthful and positive is worth more than anything else
For as rich as you are
Even if you possess great wealth...
It's much better by far to be young at heart (young at heart)
... being youthful and positive is still a more valuable mindset
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
If you happen to live to an old age...
Look at all you'll derive out of bein' alive
... you will look back and see all the wonderful things you experienced in life
And here is the best part, you have a head start
And the best thing about being youthful is that you already possess an advantage - a head start
If you are among the very young at heart
If you have a youthful perspective, you are well on your way to a fulfilling life
Lyrics © JUNE'S TUNES LTD. PARTNERSHIP
Written by: RILEY B. KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@edayldz4012
Lyrics:
"Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For it's hard you will find to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart.
You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on its way.
Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it's much better by far
To be young at heart.
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart.
Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it's much better by far
To be young at heart.
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart...."
@edayldz4012
Lyrics:
"Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For it's hard you will find to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart.
You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart or on its way.
Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it's much better by far
To be young at heart.
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart.
Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart
For as rich as you are it's much better by far
To be young at heart.
And if you should survive to a hundred and five
Look at all you'll derive out of being alive
And here is the best part you have a head start
If you are among the very young at heart...."
@brendazamora8095
💕🤗💗
@grandmomnij4858
🎉🎉🎉
@quinto
There have been so many great versions of this song but I consider this the best. It’s perfect in every way.
@brendazamora8095
AGREE 👍💯
@Texas1947Too
I've been in love with Connie Francis since "Where the Boys Are"! What a voice!
@brendazamora8095
Ditto 🤗💗
@frankiehunter.
Impossibly good version by Connie. The best female cover of this wonderful song.
@michaelhepburn6530
What a beautiful caring voice
@conniefrancis4743
Hi dear🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Thanks for your love and support that has brought me this far, it has been a hard time for me going through this but your love and support keeps me going and standing strong in this difficult times. I do read your heartwarming comments and I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me throughout the years.
It’s a season of love😍❤️❤️ for me and so I decided to put a smile on the faces of my fans by going through my YouTube channel am checking out on my fans, so I can get to communicate with my fans better through discussion of depth and humor listening to o and criticism of my career.💞💞🙏💖.