Chart entered : 4 April 1958
Chart peak : 1
Number of hits : 24
It's about time we had another female and 19-year old Connie went all the way to number one with this. Here's the Popular link : Connie Francis
Connie was born Concetta Franconero to Italian immigrants in New Jersey. She was encouraged to sing and play the accordion by her father from an early age and appeared in many talent contests. Her first recordings were demonstration discs sent out to artists in the hope they would cover the song. She had a struggle to get a recording contract before MGM finally signed her in 1955 supposedly because she had a song "Freddy" and that was the name of a company exec's son.
Connie released a string of unsuccessful singles before this, about half of which were released here. Strangely the sides were usually flipped for UK release. Her first British release was "Believe In Me" a string-laden tango ballad with an Italian section which is a good showcase for her voice but a tad indigestible. "My Sailor Boy" has a kitchen sink production which all but smothers her. "Little Blue Wren " and "Faded Orchid" are soporific ballads. "The Majesty of Love" , a doo-wop duet with Marvin Rainwater was a minor hit in the States. Despite this MGM were ready to pull the plug on her and "Who's Sorry Now ?" a 1923 song favoured by her father was recorded during her final session for them , Connie procrastinating throughout because she disliked it. It took off after being featured on American Bandstand.
What makes this song for me (aside from the vocal, which is pretty damn good), is the proto-soul guitar - to which I wonder if a young Steve Cropper was taking notes.
ReplyDeleteHer "Goodbye" entry might be tough to write. She's had to endure some horrific times.