Song Lyric Sunday – “Stupid Cupid” by Connie Francis

This week Jim Adams has prompted us with choosing songs pertaining to Smart | Stupid for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday. Hope to be back in my Country genre next week. For this SLS, we are going 1950’s pop!

This week I chose “Stupid Cupid” by Connie Francis which has an upbeat, bubblegum blowing, hula hooping type of feel to it. Francis released the song in the summer of 1958 as a double “A” side hit with “Caroline Moon”. It was released in Italy in 1959 by Neil Sedaka on his “As Long As I Live” album by RCA Italiana. Sedaka co-wrote the song when he was 19 years old with Howard Greenfield. When Sedaka penned the song, he wasn’t writing it for Francis, rather he wanted it to go to a girl group. He thought it was too juvenile for Francis who was just beginning her career and had just earned her first hit with “Who’s Sorry Now”. It was practically the first song produced by the brand-new Aldon label by producers Don Kirshner and Al Nevins. I added the story from Songfacts below which I found to be interesting as to how this song was cut by Connie Francis.

From Songfacts

“According to Rich Podolsky’s book Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear, Sedaka and Greenfield, two teenagers with hardly any experience, had been pounding on doors trying to get their songs produced. They had a flirt with success at Atlantic Records selling songs to Jerry Wexler, but had been turned down cold by Hill and Range. Asking his high school friend Mort Shuman for a referral, Sedaka was directed to the offices of Aldon music. They arrived at Aldon’s office to find that they had literally just moved in; cardboard boxes were everywhere in a tiny office with two desks and an upright piano. Kirshner listened to the two songwriter’s sales pitch, then thumbed them over to the piano to show him what they had. Yes, it worked just like that!

While Greenfield was hesitant to sign the lads, Kirshner insisted that songwriters like Sedaka and Greenfield were exactly the kind of talent he’d hoped to find. Kirshner invited them back to meet Connie Francis. (Is this story turning into the who’s-who of Brill Building heraldry or what?)

It turned out that Connie had become discouraged from her lack of another hit since “Who’s Sorry Now” and was tired of other people picking out songs for her. So when Kirshner called her up, she actually blew them off to go to the hairdresser’s instead! Undaunted, Kirshner, Sedaka, and Greenfield piled into a car and drove to the hairdresser’s, circling the block waiting for her to come out because this is New York we’re talking about, where there’s no place to park.

The little group then met at Francis’ home, where Sedaka and Greenfield played one slow ballad for her after another, which she hated. Thinking that slow ballads were a good match for her style, they were hesitant to try “Stupid Cupid,” but when she finally heard it, she was thrilled and agreed to sign a deal.”


“The Princess Diaries”

Anne Hathaway is one of my favorite actresses. She was 19 when she played the role of 15 year old Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries as a very awkward girl with friends who were unpopular outcasts. The socialite, Lana Thomas, played by Mandy Moore along with her mean girl troup, often teased and pranked Mia & her friends. Mia has a crush on the most popular boy in school who asks her to go to the beach bash. She readily agrees, dumping her friends who she had made a commitment the same night.

The story takes you on Mia’s journey showing her struggles along the way and a transformation of who she really is. The video above is a highlight to the movie and soundtrack performed by Mandy Moore.


SONG FACTS

  • Written by Howard Greenfield & Neil Sedaka.
  • Connie Francis released the song in the summer, 1958.
  • “Carolina Moon” was on the flip side of “Stupid Cupid” that became double “A”-sided hit.
  • Peaked at #14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
  • Spent 6 weeks in the #1 slot on the UK Singles Chart.
  • Neil Sedaka released it as a single on the RCA Italiana label in 1959.
  • Cover versions include Patsy Cline, Queen, Wanda Jackson and so many others.
  • Maureen EvansΒ made her first known recording with a 1958 cover of “Stupid Cupid”/ “Carolina Moon” cut for theΒ EmbassyΒ label which produced soundalike versions of current hits forΒ WoolworthsΒ to sell at lower price than the original hit.
  • Mandy Moore recorded it for the 2001 hit movie produced by Walt Disney Pictures, “The Princess Diaries” soundtrack starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews.

“Stupid Cupid”

Stupid Cupid you're a real mean guy
I'd like to clip your wings so you can't fly
I'm in love and it's a crying shame
And I know that you're the one to blame
Hey hey, set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
I can't do my homework and I can't think straight
I meet her every morning 'bout half past eight
I'm acting like a lovesick fool
You've even got me carrying your books to school
Hey hey, set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
You mixed me up for good right from the very start
Hey now, go play Robin Hood with somebody else's heart
You got me jumping like a crazy clown
And I don't feature what you're putting down
Well since I kissed her loving lips of wine
The thing that bothers me is that I like it fine
Hey hey, set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
You got me jumping like a crazy clown
And I don't feature what you're putting down
Well since I kissed his loving lips of wine
The thing that bothers me is that I like it fine
Hey hey, set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
Hey hey, set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Howard Greenfield / Neil Sedaka
Stupid Cupid lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group

Comments

16 responses to “Song Lyric Sunday – “Stupid Cupid” by Connie Francis”

  1. willowdot21 Avatar

    I absolutely love this song the Lyrics are just perfect πŸ’œ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Thanks Willow! It’s a fun song that you can’t help dancing too…even in your chair or bed. I was bouncing around in my chair typing the post. LOL! πŸ™‚

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar

        Lol o can picture that πŸ’œ

        Liked by 1 person

  2. newepicauthor Avatar

    Lisa that movie The Princess Diaries looks pretty good, I will try to watch it some day. Thanks for including so much information about this song.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      You are welcome. I try! The movie is really good. There are 2. The original which is the one I featured is a lot better but both are worth watching. πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  3. John Holton Avatar

    Connie Francis wins this one!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing Avatar

    I almost picked this too Lisa. It’s popular today I see ☺️ Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      I haven’t gotten through all the SLS. It takes me a few days to get through them all now. The holidays are here and I’m working on my shop every day. I was busy yesterday with orders. I will eventually get through them before next Sunday. LOL! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing Avatar

        Yes, I have to make a concerted effort to listen and comment on them as every week there are more and more! Good luck Lisa 😧.
        Oh I’m so happy you are busy with your shop πŸ‘β˜ΊοΈ

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lisa Coleman Avatar

        yes, it seems to be getting harder with more people! Thanks! Some days are dead and some days are really busy. I just need more volume. Hard to do it all by yourself. I’m used to working with teams of people doing different portions of this type of business. πŸ™‚ I’ll get there!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing Avatar

        You will, I’m sure Lisa. I know how you feel. I used to have a small business a long time ago and I did everything myself. It’s hard for sure. Wishing you all the best with it….and the energy! ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Lisa Coleman Avatar

        Thanks! I had a sign company in Tampa for 4 years before I met Frank. We commuted from Tampa to Jacksonville every weekend for 3 1/2 years. I sold it and moved to Jacksonville. That was in 2007. I worked for the same company for 11 1/2 years until I was laid off in March. Jobs are hard to come by right now and especially for a 55 year old graphic designer. The young guns are getting those jobs. I’m all in at the moment so it’s all good. I’ve been designing Christmas address stamps and having a blast the last couple of days. πŸ™‚ And thanks for the energy! I need it!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Christine Bolton, Poetry for Healing Avatar

        I completely understand Lisa.
        My career was in sales and marketing and I was always in need of a great graphic artist! You have found a perfect outlet for your creativity with your Etsy store. I like your love story too! That’s a lot of traveling for your sweetie but it seemed that it all worked out. Jacksonville is a nice city isn’t it?

        Like

  5. restlessjo Avatar

    I was singing along πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa Coleman Avatar

      Can’t help but sing along. Hehe! 😲

      Liked by 1 person