Connie Francis
1965 M-G-M promotional photo of Connie Francis
Background information
Birth name	Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero
Born	December 12, 1938 (1938-12-12) (age 68), Newark, New Jersey, United States
Genre(s)	Traditional Pop
Years active	1955-present
Label(s)	MGM
Associated acts	Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee, Patti Page, Neil Sedaka, Lesley Gore, Ricky Nelson
Website	Official Site

Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938 in Newark, New Jersey) is an American pop singer best known for international hit songs such as "Who's Sorry Now?", "Where The Boys Are", and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". She is known to have one of the most distinct voices in the history of pop music. Image File history File links Connie3. ... For alternate meanings of MGM, see MGM (disambiguation). ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: Map of Newark in Essex County County Essex Founded/Incorporated 1666/1836 Government  - Mayor Cory Booker, term of office 2006–2010 Area [1]  - City 67. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Traditional pop or Classic pop music denotes, in general, Western (and particularly American) popular music that either wholly predates the eruption of rock and roll in the mid-1950s, or to any popular music which exists concurrently to rock and roll but originated in a time before the appearance of... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... MGM Records was a record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studio in 1946. ... Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Bobby Cassotto, 14 May 1936-December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. ... Brenda Lee (born December 11, 1944) is an American pop singer, who was immensely popular during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Patti Page (born Clara Ann Fowler on November 8, 1927 in Claremore, Oklahoma) is one of the best-known female singers in traditional pop music. ... Neil Sedaka 2005 Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American pop singer, pianist, and songwriter often associated with the Brill Building. ... Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 in New York City as Lesley Sue Goldstein) is an American singer and songwriter of the so-called girl group era. She is perhaps best-known for her 1963 Pop hit, Its My Party, which she recorded at the age of 16. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: Map of Newark in Essex County County Essex Founded/Incorporated 1666/1836 Government  - Mayor Cory Booker, term of office 2006–2010 Area [1]  - City 67. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Whos Sorry Now? is a popular song. ... Where the Boys Are is a 1960 American motion picture comedy about four Midwestern college co-eds who spend spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ... Everybodys Somebodys Fool is a song written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. ...

Biography

Connie Francis was born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in the Italian Down Neck, or Ironbound, neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. 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 Ford 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. House in the Ironbound St. ... Nickname: Map of Newark in Essex County County Essex Founded/Incorporated 1666/1836 Government  - Mayor Cory Booker, term of office 2006–2010 Area [1]  - City 67. ... Rock and roll - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... This page meets Wikipedias criteria for speedy deletion. ... This article is about the instrument as a whole. ...

Francis' first single, "Freddy", (1955) met with little success. Her next nine singles were also failures, and she began to consider a career in medicine. However, a cover version of the song "Who's Sorry Now?" (1923) by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby launched Francis into super-stardom worldwide. Francis recorded the song at what was to have been her final recording session for MGM; the label was about to drop her due to her previous singles' poor sales. Francis has said 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. See also: 1954 in music, other events of 1955, 1956 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // January 1 - RCA victor announces a marketing plan called Operation TNT. The label drops the list price on LPs from $5. ... In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... Whos Sorry Now? is a popular song. ... See also: 1922 in music, other events of 1923, 1924 in music and the list of years in music. Events November 19 - At a concert celebrating the 50th anniversery of the union of Buda and Pest (thus creating Budapest), Béla Bartóks Dance Suite and Zoltán Kod... Bert Kalmar (16 February 1884 - 18 September 1947) was a popular United States songwriter, born in New York City. ... Harry Ruby (October 29, 1895 – February 23, 1974) was an American songwriter and screenwriter. ... MGM logo Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or MGM, is a large media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of cinema and television programs. ...

The gamble paid off. On January 1, 1958, the song debuted on Dick Clark's American Bandstand television show, and by mid-year over a million copies were sold. In April 1958, "Who's Sorry Now" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number four in the USA. This was followed by many other hits over the next decade, as Connie Francis became one of the most popular vocalists in the world. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other persons named Dick Clark, see Dick Clark (disambiguation). ... Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand American Bandstand was a long-running dance music television show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989. ... See also: 1957 in music, other events of 1958, 1959 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 28 - Little Richard begins attending classes at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama February 14 - The Iranian government bans rock & roll because they claim that the form... “British Hit Singles” redirects here. ...

Francis specialized in downbeat ballads (often remakes of old standards) delivered in her trademark "sobbing" style, such as "My Happiness", "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry", "Among My Souveneirs", "Together", "Breakin' In a Brand New Broken Heart", and the Italian song "Mama". 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 Francis' 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 often identified with Frank Sinatra). Both "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" went to number one on the Billboard music charts in 1960. In 1962, Francis had another number one hit with "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You". John Kennedy and JFK redirect here. ... Bert Kaempfert (born Berthold Kämpfert; October 16, 1923 - June 21, 1980) was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. ... Strangers in the Night is a song made famous by Frank Sinatra, who recorded it in 1966. ... “Sinatra” redirects here. ... Everybodys Somebodys Fool is a song written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. ... My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own is a song recorded by Connie Francis. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... See also: 1959 in music, other events of 1960, 1961 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 14 - Elvis Presley is promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army February 6 - Songwriter Jesse Belvin dies in an automobile accident in Los Angeles, California. ... See also: 1960s in music. ... Dont Break the Heart That Loves You is a song written by Benny Davis and Ted Murray, originally recorded by Connie Francis and produced by Arnold Maxin and Danny Davis for release on the MGM label. ...

Francis remade many of her hits in foreign languages, including "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and her signature song, "Where the Boys Are". Francis recorded in thirteen languages throughout her career: English, German, Swedish, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian (and its dialect Neapolitan), Hebrew, Yiddish, Japanese, Latin and Hawaiian. During a concert at the Golden Stag Festival in Braşov, Romania in March 1970, Francis performed live in Romanian. Francis' biggest hit album in the U.S. was 1959's Italian Favorites; 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. A signature song is the one song (or, in some cases, one of a few songs) that a popular and well-established singer, or band, is most closely identified with, even if they have had success with a variety of songs. ... Where the Boys Are is a 1960 American motion picture comedy about four Midwestern college co-eds who spend spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ... The Golden Stag Festival (Cerbul de Aur in Romanian) is an annual international music festival held in BraÅŸov, Romania. ... County BraÅŸov County Status County capital Mayor George Scripcaru, Democratic Party, since 2004 Area 267. ...

"Where The Boys Are", one of many Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield compositions Francis recorded during her career (others included "Stupid Cupid" and "Fallin'"), gained wide exposure through its inclusion as the title song in the 1960 motion picture with the same title. In addition to singing the theme, Francis had a role in the film. 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). Neil Sedaka 2005 Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American pop singer, pianist, and songwriter often associated with the Brill Building. ... Howard Greenfield ( March 15, 1936 – March 4, 1986) is an American songwriter. ... See also: 1959 in film 1960 1961 in film 1950s in film 1960s in film years in film film // Events April 20 - for the first time since coming home from military service in Germany, Elvis Presley returns to Hollywood, California to film G.I. Blues August 10 - Filming of West... For other uses see film (disambiguation) Film refers to the celluliod media on which movies are printed Film — also called movies, the cinema, the silver screen, moving pictures, photoplays, picture shows, flicks, or motion pictures, — is a field that encompasses motion pictures as an art form or as...

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 starred in her own television special on ABC television sponsored by Brylcreem titled Kicking Sound Around, singing and acting alongside Tab Hunter, Eddie Foy Jr. and Art Carney. Francis 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, Francis had 35 U.S. Top 40 hits, three of which were number ones. 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. Vegas redirects here. ... The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) operates television and radio networks in the United States and is also shown on basic cable in Canada. ... Original Brylcreem Brylcreem (pronounced brill-cream) is a brand name of mens hair groom. ... Hunter (left) with actor John Bromfield Arthur Andrew Kelm (born July 11, 1931, in New York City, New York) is an American actor and singer, and goes by the pseudonym Tab Hunter. ... Eddie Foy Jr. ... Arthur William Matthew Carney (November 4, 1918 – November 9, 2003) was an Academy Award-winning American actor in film, stage, television, and radio. ... The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, 1971, and was hosted by former entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Johnny Hallyday (born June 15, 1943 in Paris, France) is a French singer and actor. ... For other uses, see Moulin Rouge (disambiguation). ... The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held in the United Kingdom once each year, and often in a theatre in Londons West End although it is increasingly being held outside of London. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... In 1874 Leicester Square was dominated by Londons Alhambra Theatre. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

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." She appeared on 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. This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Olive Marie Osmond (born October 13, 1959 in Ogden, Utah) is an American actress, singer, and a member of the show business family, The Osmonds. ... Susan Raye (born October 8, 1944 in Eugene, Oregon) was one of the leading female country music vocalist of the 1970s. ... Margo Smith (Born April 9, 1942, Dayton, Ohio) is a country music singer. ... Debby Boone (born Deborah Ann Boone, on September 22, 1956) is an American singer and theater actress. ...

Francis' autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? was published in 1984. Cover of the first English edition of 1793 of Benjamin Franklins autobiography. ...

In 2000, "Who's Sorry Now" was named one of the Songs of the Century. 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. The Songs of the Century list is part of an education project by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc. ...

In March 2007, Francis performed to a sold-out crowd at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ...

Personal life

Francis was married four times. She married Dick Kanellis against her father's wishes on August 15, 1964. She divorced him three months later after he abused her. She then married hairdresser Izadore "Izzy" Marion on January 16, 1971. They divorced the following year. She then married Joseph Garzilli in September 1973. Together they adopted a son, Joseph Garzilli Jr, "Joey," born in 1974. After the marriage ended, she later married television producer Bob Parkinson, on June 27, 1985. She later divorced him also. She had a brief affair with a man named Maxwell J. Odenthal in June of 1986. is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... For the record label, see Divorce Records. ... “Domestic disturbance” redirects here. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ...

Early in her career, Francis dated singer Bobby Darin, much to the displeasure of Connie's father. When Darin suggested the two elope, Francis' father chased after him with a gun telling him to never see his daughter again. The two broke up shortly thereafter. Francis still says that not marrying Darin was the biggest mistake of her life. Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Bobby Cassotto, 14 May 1936-December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. ... To elope, most literally, merely means to run away. ...

On November 8, 1974 Francis was raped in the Jericho Turnpike Howard Johnson's Lodge following a performance at the Westbury Music Fair in New York. After returning to the room some time after the attack she discovered the broken lock and torn screen had not been repaired by facility management. She subsequently sued the motel chain for failing to provide adequate security. She reportedly won a $3 million judgment, at the time one of the largest such judgments in history. She did not perform again for seven years thereafter^[1]. She has stated that it was because of the rape that she divorced Joseph Garzilli. is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... New York State Route 25 is a major east-west road running from the Queensboro Bridge on the East River in Queens, New York City to the Orient Point Ferry terminal on the end of the North Fork of Long Island. ... The current logo for Howard Johnsons motor lodges. ... This article is about the state. ... It has been suggested that civil trial be merged into this article or section. ...

Nasal surgery to correct previous surgery caused a sensitivity to air conditioning and deprived her of her ability to sing professionally for four years. Note: in the broadest sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning. ...

In 1978, she attempted a comeback by appearing with her friend Dick Clark on his ABC-TV variety show Dick Clark's Live Wednesday. Unbeknown to the audience, the still-fragile Francis lip-synched to a pre-recorded medley of her hits. A comeback may mean: A retort, often intended as an insult. ... For other persons named Dick Clark, see Dick Clark (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Australian television channel. ...

Her brother was murdered in 1981.

Francis was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She has long suffered from ongoing mental impairments that developed as a result of her rape, including drug dependencies and suicide attempts. She uses lithium to treat the illness. For other uses, see Bipolar. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ... Lithium in pharmacology refers to the lithium ion, Li+, used as a drug. ...

She resumed her career in 1989.

Lawsuits

Francis brought suit alleging that UMG took advantage of her condition and stopped paying royalties. It was dismissed. On November 27, 2002, she filed a second suit against UMG alleging the label had "synchronized" two of her songs into movies without her permission. This suit was also dismissed. is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

She also sued the producers of the 1999 film Jawbreaker, in which her song "Lollipop Lips" is heard during a sex scene. ^[2] Jawbreaker is a 1999 comedy-drama directed by Darren Stein. ...

Biopic

Singer Gloria Estefan has completed a screenplay for a movie based on Francis' life, titled Who's Sorry Now?; filming is anticipated in 2007. Estefan will produce and play the lead. Estefan said, "She [Francis] isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and yet she was the first pop star worldwide, and has recorded in nine languages. She has done a lot of things for victims' rights since her rape in the '70s . . . There's a major story there." The "long gestating biopic" will begin pre-production within a few months, according to a story published in March 2007 in the Bay Area Reporter. Gloria Estefan (born Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García on September 1, 1957 in Havana, Cuba) is a five-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban American singer and songwriter. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ... March 2007 is the third month of the year. ... Bay Area Reporter is a weekly newspaper which has the San Francisco LGBT community as its primary audience. ...

Trivia

• Billboard chart historian Joel Whitburn ranks Connie Francis as the top female vocalist on the Adult Contemporary chart during the 1960s. In 1961, Francis was the first female artist to score a No. 1 Billboard AC single, with "Together," and she topped the AC chart again the following year with "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You."

Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Joel Carver Whitburn (born November 29, 1939 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin) is an American author and music historian. ... Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreciated to just AC, is a type of radio format that plays mainstream and pop music, without hip-hop or rap since, as per the name, it is geared more towards adults than teens. ...

US-albums 1958 - 1969

MGM E- = mono release MGM SE- = stereo release

(US = Billboard Hot 200 LPs Chart, C= Cashbox LPS chart, CM = Cashbox Mono LPS chart, CS = Cashbox Stereo LPS chart)

• MGM E-3686: Who's Sorry Now? (released April 1958)
• MGM E-/SE-3761: The Exciting Connie Francis (released March 1959)
• MGM E-/SE-3776: My Thanks To You (released August 1959)
• MGM E-/SE-3791: Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites (released November 1959) US #4, CM # 5, CS # 7
• MGM E-/SE-3792: Christmas In My Heart (released November 1959)
• MGM E-/SE-3793: Connie's Greatest Hits (released November 1959) US #17 / UK #16, CM # 19
• MGM E-/SE-3794: Rock 'n' Roll Million Sellers (released November 1959) UK #12
• MGM E-/SE-3795: Country And Western Golden Hits (released November 1959)
• Lion Records L 70126: Connie Francis Sings Fun Songs For Children (released November 1959)
• MGM E-/SE-3853: Connie Francis Sings Spanish And Latin American Favorites (released July 1960) CM # 23, CS #25
• MGM E-/SE-3869: Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites (released October 1960) US #69, CM #33
• MGM E-/SE-3871: More Italian Favorites (released October 1960) US #9, CM # 39
• MGM E-/SE-3893: Songs To A Swingin' Band (released February 1961)
• MGM E-/SE-3913: Connie At The Copa (released January 1961) US #65
• MGM E-/SE-3942: More Greatest Hits (released May 1961) US #39, CM # 16, CS # 24
• MGM E-/SE-3965: Connie Francis Sings "Never On Sunday" (released October 1961) US #11, CM # 10, CS # 18
• MGM E-/SE-3969: Connie Francis Sings Folk Song Favorites (released November 1961)
• Mati-Mor Superecords M 8002: Sing Along With Connie Francis (released November 1961)
• MGM E-/SE-4013: Connie Francis Sings Irish Favorites (released March 1962)
• MGM E-/SE-4022: Do The Twist (released March 1962, retitled Dance Party and repackaged in July 1962) US #47 CM # 48
• MGM E-4023: Connie Francis Sings Fun Songs For Children (released March 1962, re-release of Lion Records L 70126)
• MGM E-/SE-4048: Connie Francis Sings Award Winning Motion Picture Hits (released March 1963) US #108, CS #22, CM #33
• MGM E-/SE-4049: Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love (released May 1962) US #111
• MGM E-/SE-4079: Country Music Connie Style (released August 1962) US #22 CM # 23
• MGM E-/SE-4102: Connie Francis Sings Modern Italian Hits (released December 1962) US #103, CM # 43
• MGM E-/SE-4123: Follow The Boys (released February 1963) US #66 CS # 32 CM # 29
• MGM E-/SE-4124: Connie Francis Sings German Favorites (released January 1964)
• MGM E-/SE-4145: Great American Waltzes (released July 1963) US #94 CS #42, CM # 72
• MGM E-/SE-4161: "Mala Femmena" And Connie's Big Hits From Italy (released August 1963) US #70
• MGM E-/SE-4167: The Very Best Of Connie Francis (released September 1963) US #68, CM # 73
• MGM E-/SE-4210: In The Summer Of His Years (released December 1963) US #126 CS # 47
• MGM E-/SE-4229: Looking For Love (released June 1964) US #122 CM # 43
• MGM E-/SE-4251: Connie Francis & Hank Williams, jr. Sing Great Country Favorites (released November 1964)
• MGM E-/SE-4253: A New Kind Of Connie (released September 1964) US #149, CM # 73
• MGM E-/SE-4294: Connie Francis Sings "For Mama" (released March 1965) US #78, C #89
• MGM E-/SE-4298: Connie Francis Sings All Time International Hits (released July 1965)
• MGM E-/SE-4334: When The Boys Meet The Girls (released November 1965) US #61
• MGM E-/SE-4355: Jealous Heart (released January 1966)
• MGM E-/SE-4382: Movie Greats Of The Sixties (released July 1966)
• MGM E-/SE-4399: Connie's Christmas (released November 1966, re-release of MGM E-/SE-3792)
• MGM E-/SE-4411: Live At The Sahara In Las Vegas (released October 1966)
• King Leo Records LES 903: Connie Francis And The Kids Next Door (released October 1966, originally scheduled as MGM E-/SE-4412)
• MGM E-/SE-4448: Love Italian Style (released January 1967)
• MGM E-/SE-4472: Happiness - Connie Francis on Broadway today (released April 1967)
• MGM E-/SE-4474: Grandes Exitos Del Cine De Los Años 60 (released July 1967)
• MGM E-/SE-4487: My Heart Cries For You (released July 1967)
• MGM E-/SE-4522: Hawaii Connie (released October 1968)
• MGM E-/SE-4573: Connie And Clyde (released May 1968)
• MGM E-/SE-4585: Connie Sings Bacharach & David (released October 1968)
• MGM SE-4637: The Wedding Cake (released May 1969)
• MGM SE-4655: Connie Francis Sings The Songs Of Les Reed (released November 1969)

Reference: ^[3]

Charted singles

“Hot 100” redirects here. ... The Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart (formerly known as Adult Contemporary Singles and only Adult Contemporary) lists the most popular songs weekly calculated by airplay and occasionally sales. ... Hot Country Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... Whos Sorry Now? is a popular song. ... My Happiness is a popular and country music song. ... You Always Hurt the One You Love is an old standard song, written by Allan Roberts & Doris Fisher. ... God Bless America is an American patriotic song originally written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. ... Everybodys Somebodys Fool is a song written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield. ... Where the Boys Are is a 1960 American motion picture comedy about four Midwestern college co-eds who spend spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ... Together is a popular song. ... Dont Break the Heart That Loves You is a song written by Benny Davis and Ted Murray, originally recorded by Connie Francis and produced by Arnold Maxin and Danny Davis for release on the MGM label. ... Summer Samba (also known as So Nice) is a 1966 bossa nova song by Brazilian composer Marcos Valle, with English-language lyrics by Norman Gimbel. ... My Heart Cries for You is a popular song, adapted by Carl Sigman and Percy Faith from an 18th century French melody. ...

Selected other significant songs

• "Freddy" (1955)

The A-Side of Francis' first ever published single (1955, MGM Records K 12015). Although the single's B-Side "Didn't I love you enough" would've been the better choice from the artistic point of view, "Freddy" was given the A-Side status because MGM's president, Harry Meyerson, had a son named Freddy and Meyerson thought of this song as a suitable birthday gift. A version recorded by Eartha Kitt and Perez Prado was released at the same time as the Francis version. Although it also failed to chart, it still sold better than the Francis version because of its exciting mambo arrangement, which was part of the current sound of the day. Eartha Kitt (born Eartha Mae Keith on January 17, 1927),[1] is an American actress, singer, and cabaret star. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mambo is a Cuban musical form and dance style. ...

• "My first real love" (1956)

Bobby Darin wrote this song for Francis, which led to their first encounter. Darin was "The Jaybirds", who were credited as background vocals. The choir effect was reached by Darin recording his part several times in different keys. Despite the teaming up of those two great talents, the single failed to chart. Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Bobby Cassotto, 14 May 1936-December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. ...

• "Never On Sunday" (1961)

Francis was invited to the 1961 Academy Awards Ceremony to present one of the songs nominated for an Academy Award. She was offered "The second time around" from the movie "High Time" starring Bing Crosby. She turned that song down in favour of "Never on Sunday", even singing a few bars of the original Greek lyrics during the ceremony. Francis never considered releasing a recording of the song as a single, because The Chordettes had already taken their version to # 1 of the charts. But in August 1961, Francis recorded the song for an album with motion picture songs. Never On Sunday is a popular song. ... High Time was the third album released by the protopunkers MC5; it was released in 1971. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... The Chordettes were a female popular singing quartet, usually singing a cappella, and specializing in traditional pop music. ...

• "Al di là" (1962)

Contrary to popular belief, this song did not originate in the 1962 movie "Rome Adventure" where it was presented by Emilio Pericoli. The song was actually written as an entry for the San Remo Festival. Originally recorded and performed by Betty Curtis, it became the winning song of the 1961 edition of the festival. Francis included it on her album "Connie Francis sings Modern Italian hits" (MGM Records SE-4102), which was recorded in November 1962. Several versions of the Francis version exist: 1.) Bilingual Italian/English, running time 3'17", released in the US on both the album and MGM single K 13116, 2.) Pure Italian, running time 3'30", released in Mexico on MGM Records EP EXPL 1034, 3.) Pure Italian, alternate take, running time 3'46", released in Spain on MGM Records EP 63-025. Al di là (English translation: Beyond) was the Italian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1961, performed in Italian by Betty Curtis. ... Sanremo Music Festival (Festival della canzone italiana), running since 1951, is an Italian popular song contest held annually (first part of March) in Sanremo. ... EP can stand for: EP is the IATA code for Iran Aseman Airlines Extended play, a music recording (usually consisting of several tracks, but shorter than a typical album) European Parliament, the parliamentary body of the European Union Evolutionary psychology, a belief that psychology can be better understood in light...

• "Mala Femmena" (1963)

Francis created a phenomenon by recording this song, because the lyrics were actually written for a male singer. The original lyrics tell about a man who finds out that his woman is cheating on him. Francis had the song rewritten, which told now the story of a woman telling "the other woman" to leave her man alone.

• "Tommy" (1964)

Between late 1962 and late 1964, Francis recorded and released several songs which dabbled with the Girl group sound, which was created by successful acts such as The Shangri-Las, The Ronettes or Lesley Gore. Popular writers and producers of that sound were Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. The latter two wrote and co-produced several songs for Francis. One of them was "Tommy". Recorded during an extensive session on April 8, 1964, this song, which would eventually be released as the flip side of "Blue Winter" on MGM Records Single K 13237, featured Ellie Greenwich and The Tokens as special guest backup vocals. ‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ... The Shangri-Las on the cover of a modern collection of their works. ... The Ronettes were an American girl group of the 1960s, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. ... Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 in New York City as Lesley Sue Goldstein) is an American singer and songwriter of the so-called girl group era. She is perhaps best-known for her 1963 Pop hit, Its My Party, which she recorded at the age of 16. ... Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26, 1939) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. ... Jeff Barry (born Joel Adelberg, 1938, Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Ellie Greenwich (born 1940, Brooklyn, N.Y.) comprised one of the most prolific and successful Brill Building song writing and production teams in the early 1960s. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Tokens are an American male doo-wop vocal group from Brooklyn, New York. ...

• "Somewhere, my love (Lara's Theme)" (1966)

The lyrics for a vocal version of the best known theme from the Doctor Zhivago sound track were written by Academy Award winning lyricist Paul Francis Webster after a special request from Francis herself. But Francis rejected the lyrics at first because she thought of them as too corny. When she finally realized the song's potential, The Ray Conniff Singers had recorded it and taken to # 1 of the charts. Francis' version became a hit nonetheless, becoming a # 1 in several Asian countries and Scandinavia. The Italian recording, "Dove non so", became her last # 1 hit in Italy. For other uses, see Doctor Zhivago (disambiguation). ... Paul Francis Webster (December 20, 1907-March 18, 1984) was an American lyricist. ... Ray Conniff Ray Conniff (born Joseph Raymond Conniff on November 6, 1916 in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA, and died October 12, 2002, Escondido, California, USA) was an American musician. ...

References

1. ^ http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0203/11/lkl.00.html
2. ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2002_April_16/ai_84669421/
3. ^ Reference for all albums: "Souvenirs", 4-CD-boxed set, Polydor 314 533 382-2, 1996

External links

• Connie Francis at the Internet Movie Database
• Official Site
• The Work of Claus Ogerman - a pictorial discography showing albums and singles, along with studio photos and complete liner notes which document Francis' work in the 1960s with this arranger/conductor.
• Full Discography with Catalog Number Info