Top 10 Connie Francis Songs

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The world of popular music has lost a titan, as news of the passing of the legendary Connie Francis reverberates through the industry she helped define. Her journey began not as Connie Francis, but as Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, born in the Ironbound neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey, on December 12, 1937. It was a household steeped in Italian-American heritage, and her father, George Franconero, played a pivotal, if sometimes forceful, role in her burgeoning career. Recognizing his daughter’s potential, he pushed her from the young age of four to perform at local talent shows and pageants, where she would sing and play the accordion. This early and persistent exposure laid the groundwork for the discipline and stage presence that would later become her trademarks.

Her formal entry into the world of entertainment came through television, a medium then in its own infancy. After an appearance on the NBC variety show Startime Kids, she was advised by the show’s host, Arthur Godfrey, to adopt a more accessible, Americanized stage name. “Francis” was a straightforward simplification of “Franconero,” and the name under which she would achieve global stardom. Godfrey also famously advised her to abandon the accordion, a moment she later cited as the start of her career as a true singer. These early years were a whirlwind of local television appearances and the search for a distinct artistic identity, a period of formation that would soon give way to immense professional challenges.

By the mid-1950s, Francis had secured a recording contract with MGM Records, but success remained frustratingly out of reach. Her first nine singles failed to make any significant commercial impact, and the label had decided not to renew her contract after one final recording session. With her career on the precipice of ending before it had truly begun, her father suggested she record a 1923 ballad, “Who’s Sorry Now?”. Francis was vehemently opposed to the idea, considering the song dated and out of step with the burgeoning rock and roll movement. After a heated argument, she relented, recording it with what she felt was little enthusiasm. The initial results were as lackluster as her previous efforts, until the song was unexpectedly played by Dick Clark on his television show, American Bandstand, on New Year’s Day in 1958. The public response was instantaneous and overwhelming.

The success of “Who’s Sorry Now?” was a watershed moment, transforming Connie Francis from a struggling artist into a bona fide star. The single skyrocketed to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and became a number 1 hit in the United Kingdom. This breakthrough opened the floodgates for a period of prolific and sustained chart dominance. Her follow-up, a rock and roll-infused ballad titled “Stupid Cupid,” became another massive international hit, showcasing her versatility. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, she delivered a string of iconic singles, including “My Happiness,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” and “Among My Souvenirs,” cementing her status as one of the premier female vocalists of her era.

Beyond her hit singles, Francis was an innovator in the album market. At a time when the industry was heavily focused on 45 rpm singles, she pioneered the concept of the “theme album.” Her 1959 release, Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites, was an unprecedented success, remaining on the album charts for 81 weeks and peaking at number 4. The album’s popularity led to a series of similar projects, including Spanish and Latin American Favorites and Jewish Favorites, which sold millions of copies worldwide. This strategy not only proved to be incredibly lucrative but also demonstrated a deep respect for her own heritage and the cultures of her international fanbase, a gesture that endeared her to millions.

Her global appeal was further magnified by a unique and ambitious recording strategy. Francis was one of the very first American artists to record her hit songs in multiple foreign languages. She meticulously recorded tracks in German, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, French, and several other languages, allowing her to connect directly with audiences in their native tongues. This effort made her a superstar of unparalleled international stature. In Germany, for example, her German-language version of “Somewhere My Love” became her biggest-selling single. This dedication to her global audience was a key reason for her sustained popularity outside of the English-speaking world and remains a remarkable aspect of her career.

The arc of her career was tragically and violently altered in November 1974. Following a performance at the Westbury Music Fair in New York, she was brutally assaulted in her hotel room. This harrowing event marked the beginning of a dark and difficult period in her life. The trauma, compounded by a subsequent nasal surgery that temporarily robbed her of her voice, led to a deep depression. Her personal struggles were further exacerbated by the tragic 1981 murder of her brother, George. These events led to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a series of hospitalizations, effectively halting her career for several years.

Despite the immense personal adversity she faced, Connie Francis demonstrated extraordinary resilience and tenacity. Emerging from her darkest years, she transformed her personal pain into public purpose. She became a vocal and passionate advocate for victims’ rights and mental health awareness, using her platform to campaign for federal funding and support for those suffering from similar conditions. Her work with the organization now known as Mental Health America was particularly significant, as she spoke openly about her own struggles to destigmatize mental illness. This chapter of her life, born from profound tragedy, revealed a depth of character and courage that transcended her musical accomplishments and became an integral part of her enduring legacy.

Top 10 Connie Francis Songs

#10 – Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You

In 1962, “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, which was then known as an easy listening chart. This was also a successful hit in 1978 for country artist Margo Smith. The appeal of this song, primarily when performed by Francis, is the two-part harmonic plea from the songstress who is trying to understand why her lover is mistreating her so badly.

#9 – Barcarole in der Nacht (Barcarole in the Night)

Released in 1963 as a German single, “Barcarole in der Nacht” became a number one hit on their music chart and remains a top favorite even unto this day. Whether one understands the German language or not when hearing it, it’s still one of the best performances by Connie Francis. Translating this song’s title in English would be something like a Venetian boating song at night. Among gondoliers who do tours with music, it’s Barcarole in der Nacht is among the favorites played to appropriately set the mood.

#8 – Where the Boys Are

“Where the Boys Are” was written for the 1960 motion picture, in which Connie Francis co-starred, marking the first time the songstress appeared in a movie. The song charted as high as fourth on the US Billboard Hot 100 and fifth on the UK Singles Chart. This song’s popularity has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Francis herself, who remade it, along with several previously recorded hits, in 1989.

#7 – Frankie (featuring the Ray Ellis Orchestra)

Released in 1959, “Frankie” cracked the US Billboard Hot 100 chart top ten by placing ninth, and seventeenth on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Among music streaming stations of today, this song performed by Connie Francis is among the most requested from her discography.

#6 – My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own

The first number one hit for Connie Francis came along in 1960 with “My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own.” Recorded as a Connie Francis original, the song peaked at the top spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 and US Cash Box charts, as well as third with the UK Singles Chart. On the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, it peaked at eleventh place. Over time, a number of other artists have covered this song, including Connie Smith and Reba McEntire.

#5 – Lipstick On Your Collar

In 1959, the single “Lipstick On Your Collar” by Connie Francis peaked at the fifth spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in tenth place on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It would be the third time in her career that she would have a hit crack into the top ten mark, as well as the first song recorded initially by her to do so. On the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at third place. It was also the first time Francis achieved a top ten hit in Australia where the song peaked in fourth place.

#4 – My Happiness

Near the start of Connie Francis’ ascent to stardom in her singing career, the 1958 hit “My Happiness” managed to become the best charting single she would have to date. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at the second spot and even made an appearance on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart at eleventh place. My Happiness has been a pop music standard among many artists, regardless of musical genre, ever since it was first released in 1948 by Jon and Sondra Steele. Francis herself admits while growing up, My Happiness was among her personal favorites.

#3 – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool

According to US Billboard, the single “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” is among the greatest summer hits of all time, currently charting at 138 overall. It was a number one hit for Francis in 1960 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the US Cash Box chart, in Australia, and in Canada. In Germany, the German version “Die Liebe ist in selfsame Spiel” also achieved a top spot on their music chart. This song is often confused with a song that shares an identical title that was written and released previously in 1949 by Little Jimmy Scott, but these two songs have nothing in common other than their names.

#2 – Stupid Cupid

On the various streaming music channels that cater to music during the eras of the 1950s and the 1960s, “Stupid Cupid” from Connie Francis is currently among the most played from her entire roster of hits. Recorded and released in 1958, this song charted at fourteenth place on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at sixteenth on the US Cash Box chart. Stupid Cupid is also credited for saving Francis’ career from experiencing another backslide that probably would have ended it.

#1 – Who’s Sorry Now

In 2001, “Who’s Sorry Now” was named among the Songs of the Century by the combined agreement of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Recording Industry Association of America, and Scholastic Inc. When it was released in 1957, it peaked at number one in the UK Singles chart and in fourth on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. On the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart, it also appeared fourth. Francis, among many other artists throughout the years, has covered this song ever since it was first written in 1923, then performed by Isham Jones. It was a hit for Jones and it was a hit for Francis.