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USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Before Connie Francis died, a new generation fell for 'Pretty Little Baby'
Connie Francis, the pop vocalist who died this week, was seeing a resurgence in popularity long after her '50s and '60s fame — thanks to TikTok. Francis died Wednesday, July 16 at 87 after recently being hospitalized in an intensive care unit, where she was undergoing tests to find the source of her "extreme pain," according to her Facebook. She was best known for her love songs, including "Stupid Cupid," "Who's Sorry Now" and "Where The Boys Are." But younger generations may recognize her peppy voice from 1962 track "Pretty Little Baby," which has become popular among TikTokers as a backdrop for adorable animals, makeup tutorials and a slew of other videos. Here's what to know about the song and its modern-day resurgence. Connie Francis 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Who's Sorry Now' pop singer dies at 87 'Pretty Little Baby' has been used over a million times on TikTok "Pretty Little Baby" gained momentum on TikTok in May, with celebrities and influencer alike sharing videos to the song. North West and Kylie Jenner lip synced to the song and creators like Abbie Herbert and Brooke Monk also used the audio. To date, the song has been used on more than one million TikTok videos. At its peak, 'Pretty Little Baby' averaged over 600,000 daily creates on TikTok and hit No. 1 on both the app's Viral 50 and Top 50 charts, according to a press release. 'The huge viral success of 'Pretty Little Baby' is the perfect example of the power of music discovery on TikTok," Tracy Gardner, TikTok's global head of music business development, said in the release. The song's popularity even got Francis herself to join TikTok in June. "I'm flabbergasted and excited about the huge buzz my 1962 recording of 'Pretty Little Baby' is making all over the world," she said in a video on the page. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is captivating new generations of audiences is truly overwhelming for me." 'She died happy knowing that this generation likes her music' My thanks to you all for the huge reception you have given to 'Pretty Little Baby'. I am delighted to join the TikTok Community and share this moment with you. On Francis' TikTok page, comments were flooded with messages of condolences after her death, with many users expressing appreciation for the resurgence of "Pretty Little Baby." "She died happy knowing that this generation likes her music," one person wrote. "You will be missed. Thank you for the music." Another wrote, "RIP Connie Francis. She died knowing her song became famous again." When was 'Pretty Little Baby' released? "Pretty Little Baby" was released in 1962 as part of Connie Francis' album "Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits." The song was not released as a single. Francis told Billboard in May that she didn't remember recording the song until she listened to it. "It's just a blessing to know that kindergarten kids know me and my music now. It's really thrilling," she told the outlet. The track was one of 40 songs Francis recorded over four days in August 1961, according to Billboard. See TikToks featuring 'Pretty Little Baby' my pretty little baby💗🥰🥹 #babyhorse#arabian#kentucky#farmlife i know we're over this song but i had toooo 🥹 #CapCut everyday toddler hairstyle part 6🫶🏻✨ #toddlerhair #easytoddlerhair #toddlerhairstyles #toddlerhairideas #hearthairstyle #springfashion #hairstylesforshorthair #toddlerbraids #bowhairstyle #hearthair #pigtailbows #pigtails #hairideas #hairstyle #hairinspo #hair #viralhair #hairtutorial #toddlerhairtutorial #shorthairideas #kidshairstyles #kidshair #girlshairstyle #girlmom #toddler #dancehair #springhairstyle #easter #easterhair #eastersunday @Salee Hair @tisfortamebaby @Fairy Tales Hair Care Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Pop legend Connie Francis shared heartbreaking last post with special message for fans just days before her death at 87
SINGER Connie Francis has died at 87, just days after sharing a sweet message for her fans on Facebook. The pop legend, known for hits Pretty Little Baby and Stupid Cupid, posted a now-heartbreaking health update on July 4. Advertisement 6 Connie Francis who died on Wednesday at age 87 Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Francis shared a message to fans on Facebook with a patriotic picture on July 4 Credit: Facebook/Connie Francis 6 Cibbue Frabcus attending the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival's screening of Where The Boys Are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 7, 2018 Credit: The Mega Agency Francis Fans of the 1950s star were worried in the weeks before her death after Francis wrote on Facebook that she was hospitalized in Florida due to "extreme pain" on July 2. Two days later, she reassured her social media followers with a special message. "Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July," Francis Advertisement READ MORE CELEBRITY NEWS "Thank you all for your continued kind thoughts and prayers. A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones." The post included a picture of Francis previously performing on a stage as well as her with an American flag saying, "God Bless America." In March, Francis had told her fans she was in a wheelchair and in physical therapy due to a "troublesome, painful hip." Ron Roberts, Francis's close friend and the president of her music label, Concetta Records, shared the sad news of her death in a Facebook post early on Thursday. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity "It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Roberts "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. " Singer Connie Francis dies at 87 – months after her 1960s track Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok Roberts said Francis died peacefully, according to "We were expecting it, unfortunately," the former journalist told the outlet. Advertisement "They couldn't locate where the pain was exactly," he said, adding that she had trouble with her hip for "some time" before her death. Roberts said Francis remained positive in the days before her death, and even confided in him that she felt "absolutely terrible" around the time she shared the optimistic post on July 4. Connie Francis hits Pop singer Connie Francis topped the charts in the 1950s and 1960s. Below are some of her most popular songs: Who's Sorry Now? Pretty Little Baby Stupid Cupid I'm Sorry I Made You Cry Mama My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own Everybody's Somebody's Fool Don't Break the Heart That Loves You He said Francis was "unconscious" for at least two days before she died. "She slipped away peacefully," Roberts said. Advertisement He added that Francis would be "smiling" to know that she left behind such a large fan base. 6 Francis at the 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on January 30, 1982 Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Connie Francis at the East Coast Music Hall of Fame Awards ceremony at the Wildwood Convention Center in Wildwood, New Jersey, on June 5, 2019 Credit: The Mega Agency PRETTY LITTLE BABY'S RESURGENCE The pop legend topped the charts during the '50s and '60s with her sweet vocals and catchy songs. Advertisement In the last year, her 1962 B-side Pretty Little Baby has become hugely popular on TikTok and turned into a viral hit. "That is the incredible story, I think: That she left this world as big a star [as she ever was]," Roberts told People about the song's resurgence. Francis reacted to the song's traction in a Facebook post in May. "My thanks to TikTok and its members for the wonderful, and oh so unexpected, reception given to my 1961 recording 'Pretty Little Baby,'" she Advertisement "The first I learned of it was when Ron called to advise me that I had 'a viral hit.' "Clearly out of touch with present-day music statistics terminology, my initial response was to ask: 'What's that?' Thank you everyone!" 6 Francis on December 31, 1985 Credit: The Mega Agency
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Pop legend Connie Francis shared heartbreaking last post with special message for fans just days before her death at 87
Her close friend opened up about the singer's final days GOOD NIGHT Pop legend Connie Francis shared heartbreaking last post with special message for fans just days before her death at 87 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SINGER Connie Francis has died at 87, just days after sharing a sweet message for her fans on Facebook. The pop legend, known for hits Pretty Little Baby and Stupid Cupid, posted a now-heartbreaking health update on July 4. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Connie Francis who died on Wednesday at age 87 Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Francis shared a message to fans on Facebook with a patriotic picture on July 4 Credit: Facebook/Connie Francis 6 Cibbue Frabcus attending the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival's screening of Where The Boys Are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 7, 2018 Credit: The Mega Agency Francis died on Wednesday, her publicist announced. No cause of death was disclosed. Fans of the 1950s star were worried in the weeks before her death after Francis wrote on Facebook that she was hospitalized in Florida due to "extreme pain" on July 2. Two days later, she reassured her social media followers with a special message. "Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July," Francis wrote on the morning of the holiday. "Thank you all for your continued kind thoughts and prayers. A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones." The post included a picture of Francis previously performing on a stage as well as her with an American flag saying, "God Bless America." In March, Francis had told her fans she was in a wheelchair and in physical therapy due to a "troublesome, painful hip." Ron Roberts, Francis's close friend and the president of her music label, Concetta Records, shared the sad news of her death in a Facebook post early on Thursday. "It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Roberts wrote. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news." Singer Connie Francis dies at 87 – months after her 1960s track Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok Roberts said Francis died peacefully, according to People. "We were expecting it, unfortunately," the former journalist told the outlet. "They couldn't locate where the pain was exactly," he said, adding that she had trouble with her hip for "some time" before her death. Roberts said Francis remained positive in the days before her death, and even confided in him that she felt "absolutely terrible" around the time she shared the optimistic post on July 4. Connie Francis hits Pop singer Connie Francis topped the charts in the 1950s and 1960s. Below are some of her most popular songs: Who's Sorry Now? Pretty Little Baby Stupid Cupid I'm Sorry I Made You Cry Mama My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own Everybody's Somebody's Fool Don't Break the Heart That Loves You He said Francis was "unconscious" for at least two days before she died. "She slipped away peacefully," Roberts said. He added that Francis would be "smiling" to know that she left behind such a large fan base. 6 Francis at the 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on January 30, 1982 Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Connie Francis at the East Coast Music Hall of Fame Awards ceremony at the Wildwood Convention Center in Wildwood, New Jersey, on June 5, 2019 Credit: The Mega Agency PRETTY LITTLE BABY'S RESURGENCE The pop legend topped the charts during the '50s and '60s with her sweet vocals and catchy songs. In the last year, her 1962 B-side Pretty Little Baby has become hugely popular on TikTok and turned into a viral hit. "That is the incredible story, I think: That she left this world as big a star [as she ever was]," Roberts told People about the song's resurgence. Francis reacted to the song's traction in a Facebook post in May. "My thanks to TikTok and its members for the wonderful, and oh so unexpected, reception given to my 1961 recording 'Pretty Little Baby,'" she wrote. "The first I learned of it was when Ron called to advise me that I had 'a viral hit.' "Clearly out of touch with present-day music statistics terminology, my initial response was to ask: 'What's that?' Thank you everyone!"
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Legendary singer Connie Francis, of viral hit 'Pretty Little Baby', dies at 87
Connie Francis, a contemporary of Elvis Presley, was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s. Photo: TNS Iconic singer Connie Francis has died just weeks after pulling out of a Fourth of July performance and telling fans she was in the hospital in 'extreme pain.' Ron Roberts, the president of Concetta Records, shared the news to Francis' Facebook page just after midnight on Thursday. 'It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night,' Roberts wrote. 'I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news. More details to follow later.' 'Very sad news,' Randy McGill replied. 'I had so hoped she would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before she passed away. She was considered the first lady of the first decade of rock and roll. Long ago she deserved to be included in the Hall of Fame. Rest in peace Connie. You will always be in my hall of fame.' 'RIP CONNIE,' another wrote. 'You were and will always be my Idol. A voice of an Angel. Always a sweet, beautiful & caring woman! I will never stop listening to your music. Where The Boys Are my absolute favorite movie because of you! Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with all of us and the world! Rest in Peace beautiful lady.' Connie Francis had recently been making headlines due to her 1962 song 'Pretty Little Baby' becoming a huge hit on TikTok, 63 years after she recorded the B-side. Photo: AP Francis took to social media back on July 2 to let her fans know she had been hospitalised and would not be able to perform on July 4. 'Hello Everyone — As many of you may now have learned through Cousin Brucie's Facebook page, I am back in hospital where I have been undergoing tests and checks to determine the cause (s) of the extreme pain I have been experiencing,' she wrote on Facebook. 'I had hope to take part in Brucie's show for Independence Day, having had to cancel a previous slot a few weeks ago when receiving treatment on my hip. Sadly, I had to let him know that I again had to withdraw. My thanks for your many get well soon messages. I will endeavor to keep you updated.' She followed that with a promising post later in the day. 'I am pleased to advise that following a series of tests and examinations in Intensive Care, I have now been transferred to a private room,' she added. 'Thank you all for your kind thoughts, words and prayers. They mean so much!' And on July 4 she provided a promising update. 'Today I am feeling much better after a good night, and wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a happy Fourth of July,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Thank you all for your continued kind thoughts and prayers. A happy Independence Day to you and your loved ones.' Francis had recently been making headlines due to her 1962 song Pretty Little Baby becoming a huge hit on TikTok, 63 years after she recorded the B-side. Francis, a contemporary of Elvis Presley, was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s, with Top 10 singles like Who's Sorry Now?, My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own, Where the Boys Are and Don't Break The Heart That Loves You. According to People magazine, Francis was the first woman to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with her 1960 track Everybody's Somebody's Fool . – Agencies/Tribune News Service
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Singer Connie Francis dies aged 87
Her death was announced on Thursday by her friend and publicist, Ron Roberts, who did not immediately provide additional details. Francis was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely off the charts from 1957-64. Able to appeal to both young people and adults, she had more than a dozen top 20 hits, starting with Who's Sorry Now? and including the Number one songs Don't Break The Heart That Loves You and The Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own. Like other teen favourites of her time, she also starred in several films, including Where The Boys Are and Follow The Boys. Dick Clark with Connie Francis (Reed Saxon/AP) The dark-haired singer was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records following appearances on several TV variety shows. Her earliest recordings attracted little attention, but then she released her version of Who's Sorry Now? an old ballad by Ted Snyder, Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It, too, had little success initially until Dick Clark played it on his American Bandstand show in 1958. Francis followed with such teen hits as Stupid Cupid, Everybody's Somebody's Fool, and Lipstick On Your Collar. Her records became hits worldwide as she re-recorded versions of her original songs in Italian and Spanish among other languages. Her concerts around the country quickly sold out. Meanwhile, a romance bloomed with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin, who had volunteered to write songs for her. But when her father heard rumours that the pair were planning a wedding he stormed into a rehearsal and pulled a gun on Darin, ending their relationship and seeming to set on Francis on a pained and traumatic path. She chronicled some of it in her autobiography, Who's Sorry Now? 'My personal life is a regret from A to Z,' she told The Associated Press in 1984, the year the book came out. 'I realised I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me.' Her father, George Franconero, was a roofing contractor from New Jersey who played the accordion, and he had his daughter learn the instrument as soon as she began to show an aptitude for music. When she was four, he began booking singing dates for her, going on to become her manager. Although her acting career had faded by the mid-1960s, Francis was still popular on the concert circuit when she appeared at the Westbury Music Centre in Westbury, New York, in 1974. She had returned to her hotel room and was asleep when a man broke in and raped her at knifepoint. He was never captured. Francis sued the hotel, alleging its security was faulty, and a jury awarded her 2.5 million dollars in 1976. The two sides then settled out of court for 1,475,000 dollars as an appeal was pending. She said the attack destroyed her marriage and put her through years of emotional turmoil. She suffered tragedy in 1981 when her brother George was shot dead as he was leaving his New Jersey home. Later in the decade, her father had her committed to a psychiatric hospital, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. At one point she attempted suicide by swallowing dozens of sleeping tablets. After three days in a coma, she recovered. She was married four times and would say that only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, was worth the trouble. The other marriages each lasted less than a year. Concetta Rosemarie Franconero was born on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey. At age nine, she began appearing on television programmes, including Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and The Perry Como Show. It was Godfrey who suggested she shorten her last name. Clark featured her repeatedly on American Bandstand, and she said in later years that without his support she would have abandoned her music career.
