… Read Full Bio ↴Connie Stevens (born August 8, 1938) is an American actress and singer.
She was born Concetta Rosalie Anna Ingoglia in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Peter Ingoglia (known as musician Teddy Stevens) and singer Eleanor McGinley.
Connie adopted her father's stage name of Stevens as her own. Her parents were divorced and she lived with grandparents. Coming from a musical family, she formed a singing group called The Fourmost, the other three vocalists went on to fame as The Lettermen. In 1953, Stevens moved to Los Angeles with her father. When she was sixteen, she started another singing group, The Three Debs. She enrolled at a professional school (Georgia Massey's School of Song and Dance in Los Angeles), sang professionally and appeared in local repertory theater.
Stevens then started working as a movie extra. After appearing in four B movies, Jerry Lewis saw her in Dragstrip Riot and cast her in Rock-A-Bye Baby. Soon after that, she signed a contract with Warner Brothers.
She played 'Cricket Blake' in the popular Television detective series Hawaiian Eye from 1959 to 1962, a role that made her famous. In a televised interview on August 26, 2003, on CNN's Larry King Live, Stevens recounted that while on the set of Hawaiian Eye she was told she had a telephone call from Elvis Presley. She didn't believe it, but in fact it was Elvis, inviting her to a party, saying he would come to her house and pick her up personally. They dated for a time and she says they remained lifelong friends.
Her first album was titled Concetta (1958). She had minor hits with the songs Blame It On My Youth, Looking For A Boy, and Spring Is Here. She appeared opposite James Garner in a comedy episode of the TV western series Maverick entitled "Two Tickets to Ten Strike," and after making several appearances on the Warner Bros. hit TV series 77 Sunset Strip, she recorded the hit novelty song Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb, a duet with one of the shows stars, Edward Byrnes. She also recorded the hit single Sixteen Reasons (1960). It hit the top five in both Billboard and Cashbox.
Apollo
Connie Stevens Lyrics
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He was handsome he was tall
You're not handsome you're not tall
But I don't care at all
You're my Apollo
My sweet Apollo
I love you so
Apollo had a great physic
And his arms was strong as steel
You're not half as strong as he
But in you're arms I feel
You're my Apollo
My sweet Apollo
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oh
I love you so
Apollo was a gorgeous thing
He was like a work of art
Maybe you're no work of art
But darling, in my heart
You're my Apollo
My sweet Apollo
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oh
I love you so
In Connie Stevens's song "Apollo", she draws comparisons between her lover and the Roman god Apollo, who was known for his beauty and physical strength. The lyrics express a sense of deep love and admiration for her partner, regardless of how he may measure up to the idealized image of Apollo. Stevens notes that Apollo was tall and handsome, with a great physique and arms as strong as steel. However, she emphasizes that she doesn't care if her partner doesn't match up to these standards, as she loves him just the same.
The use of the figure of Apollo in the lyrics is significant in several ways. Apollo was one of the most important gods in the Roman pantheon, and was associated with many aspects of life, including music, poetry, and the sun. He was often depicted as a beautiful and youthful figure, and was seen as a symbol of light and reason. By comparing her partner to Apollo, Stevens elevates him to a level of admiration and respect that goes beyond physical appearance. Moreover, the use of the figure of Apollo also suggests a sense of timelessness and universality, as the mythological figure has been revered for thousands of years.
This song was released in 1962 and was one of Connie Stevens's biggest hits. It reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and was later included on her album "From Me to You". The song was written by Stevens's brother John, who was also a songwriter and musician. John had previously written hits for artists like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, and later went on to produce music for film and television.
Line by Line Meaning
Apollo was a Roman God
The song refers to the Greek god Apollo who was known for his beauty, music, and intellect. Apollo was one of the most important and complex Olympian deities in ancient Greek mythology.
He was handsome he was tall
Apollo was known for his physical beauty and height. He was often depicted as a tall, handsome, and muscular young man.
You're not handsome you're not tall
The singer is acknowledging that her partner may not have the physical appearance of the Greek god Apollo, but that does not matter to her.
But I don't care at all
The singer does not place much importance on the physical appearance of her partner, as she is more interested in his other qualities.
You're my Apollo
Despite not having the appearance of the Greek god, the singer refers to her partner as her Apollo, indicating that she loves and admires him.
My sweet Apollo
The singer endearingly refers to her partner as her 'sweet Apollo'.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oh
This is a vocalization that shows the singer's affection and enthusiasm.
I love you so
The singer expresses her love for her partner.
Apollo had a great physic
The singer notes that Apollo had a great physical build, further emphasizing his physical attractiveness.
And his arms was strong as steel
Apollo was known for his physical strength, and the singer specifically mentions his strong arms.
You're not half as strong as he
The singer acknowledges that her partner may not be as physically strong as Apollo, but that does not matter to her.
But in you're arms I feel
The singer finds comfort and security in her partner's embrace, even if he may not be as physically strong as Apollo.
Apollo was a gorgeous thing
The singer again emphasizes Apollo's physical attractiveness by referring to him as a 'gorgeous thing'.
He was like a work of art
The singer compares Apollo's beauty to that of a work of art, further emphasizing his physical appearance.
Maybe you're no work of art
The singer acknowledges that her partner may not be as physically attractive as Apollo, but again emphasizes that this does not matter to her.
But darling, in my heart
The singer's love for her partner is not based solely on his physical appearance, but rather on a deep emotional connection.
Writer(s): SHARON SILBERT, RUTH FREED
Contributed by Molly J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.