Francesca Battistelli is an American Christian singer born on May 18, 1985 in New York. She broke through in 2008 with the album My Paper Heart and the single Free to Be Me, and won a Grammy Award in 2016 for her song Holy Spirit, from the album If We're Honest.
Francesca Battistelli was born on May 18, 1985 in New York, an only child of parents who themselves came from musical theater. As a teenager, she joined the girl pop group Bella in Orlando before going independent with the album Just a Breath in 2004. Her real breakthrough came in 2008 with My Paper Heart, her first album signed to Fervent Records.
The singles I'm Letting Go and then Free to Be Me established her light pop voice on American Christian radio, with Free to Be Me even reaching number one on the Christian CHR chart for nine weeks in 2009. She confirmed her place among the leading names in contemporary Christian music with the albums Hundred More Years (2011), If We're Honest (2014), and then Own It (2018), all while raising her family in Nashville with her husband Matt Goodwin and their seven children.
- Origine
- New York, USA
- Style
- Contemporary Christian music, pop
- Actif depuis
- 2004
- À connaître
- 2016 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song for Holy Spirit
How did Francesca Battistelli get started?
Before breaking through as a solo artist, the New York born teenager, who had settled in Florida, sang and danced in the pop group Bella. She then released a first independent album, Just a Breath, in 2004, before being signed by the Christian label Fervent Records.
The album My Paper Heart, released in 2008, marked her true national launch: the single Free to Be Me became the number one contemporary Christian radio hit in early 2009 and earned her her first Grammy Award nomination.
What makes Francesca Battistelli unique?
Her light voice and gift for pop melody make her an approachable figure in contemporary Christian music, equally at home singing about doubt and about simple joy. In 2016, she won a Grammy Award for Holy Spirit, from the album If We're Honest, confirming her place among the genre's leading artists after more than a decade in the industry.
Where to start discovering Francesca Battistelli?
The album My Paper Heart (2008) remains the best entry point, with Free to Be Me. The more recent songs God Is Good and He Will let you follow the evolution of her songwriting toward more direct worship songs.
songs
He Will
A more recent single affirming God's faithfulness in moments of uncertainty, in the clean pop style typical of the artist.
God Is Good
A simple, joyful worship song celebrating God's everyday goodness, released in 2021.
This Could Change Everything
From the album Own It (2018), this pop song invites listeners to open up to what God can transform in a life, in the light, upbeat style that defines the artist.
Discography
- 2018Own It
- 2014If We're Honest
- 2011Hundred More Years
- 2008My Paper Heart
- 2004Just a Breath· Independent album
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Francesca Battistelli?
Francesca Battistelli is an American contemporary Christian music singer, born in 1985 in New York. She broke through in 2008 with the album My Paper Heart and won a Grammy Award in 2016 for her song Holy Spirit.
Is Francesca Battistelli Christian?
Yes, her entire recording career fits within contemporary Christian music, with songs about faith, grace, and God's goodness.
What is Francesca Battistelli's most well known song?
Free to Be Me (2009) remains her most iconic song, followed by Holy Spirit (2014), which earned her a Grammy Award in 2016.
Has Francesca Battistelli won a Grammy Award?
Yes, she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2016 for Holy Spirit, from the album If We're Honest.
Where can you listen to Francesca Battistelli?
Her albums are available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, as well as on her official YouTube channel.