He’s walkin’ down some street in town and I know he’s lookin’ there for me

In yet another example of "who knew she was still alive?", today we celebrate the 70th birthday of that archetypal all-American singer Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero - otherwise known as Connie Francis.

Specialising in teary ballads such as Who's Sorry Now? and harmless pop numbers like Lipstick On Your Collar, she was a huge star (in the Doris Day mould) in the pre-Beatles early 60s. By the end of that decade, her particular brand of middle-of-the-road ditties was so out of fashion she retired from recording altogether. While on a "comeback" tour in the 1970s Connie was tragically raped in her motel room, and latterly became an advocate for victims' rights.

It is however this number that keeps Connie Francis high in the ranks of gay icons - a song that the lady herself apparently refers to as "The Gay National Anthem"...

Connie Francis - Where The Boys Are

Where the boys are, someone waits for me
A smilin' face, a warm embrace, two arms to hold me tenderly
Where the boys are, my true love will be
He's walkin' down some street in town and I know he's lookin' there for me

In the crowd of a million people I'll find my valentine
And then I'll climb to the highest steeple and tell the world he's mine

Till he holds me I wait impatiently
Where the boys are, where the boys are
Where the boys are, someone waits for me

Till he holds me I wait impatiently
Where the boys are, where the boys are
Where the boys are, someone waits for me

Connie Francis International Fan Club