Frankie

Album: Gold (1959)
Charted: 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Howard Greenfield and Neil Sedaka-penned ballad was the B-side to Francis' hit single "Lipstick On Your Collar." The singer was determined to have a double-sided hit and approached the songwriters with the idea to make the song about one of the hottest teen idols of the time: Frankie Avalon. "So Howie asks, 'Happy or sad?,'" Francis told DISCoveries Magazine. "I said, 'Always sad, Howie, you know that teenage girls love to cry.'"

    In the song, Francis is trying to hide her heartbreak after Frankie breaks up with her.
  • Francis recalls coming up with the spoken intro: "At the session, Ray Ellis is in the control room and someone else, I can't recall who, was conducting. As soon as the guitar introduction began, I just up and said, 'Frankie, wherever you are I love you.' When Ray heard that he came over the intercom and said, 'Oh, God. Connie, give me a break. This is going a little too far.' But he finally agreed to leave that part in and so we did."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?