What Fans Are Saying

Check out the reviews on this website:

http://top-mp3-albums.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-paper-heart-mp3-downloads-...

Thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback on Francesca!

Okay, so I started this new job. It's nothing new. I've done this type of work before. But why am I wigged? Perfection seems to be my downfall. I'm not perfect. I know that. But why do I try to do things perfectly? After all...I'm a mom! I'm luck if I wear stuff that matches...or get out of the house with everything I need, although, it may not be pretty...I'm out and I've got everything necessary...right?

It's like I'm sitting on the cusp of something awesome, but I am freaking out because I feel that I'm not ready. Not ready for WHAT? That's my problem...I don't know. This new job is going to be great! I can't wait to see what God is going to do! I get to be apart of it, but inside, deep down, I'm wising He would call someone else up. The battle on the frontline is difficult. The gospel is being attacked. The church needs to become excited about seeing people, kids even come to a saving relationship with Christ! But the task seems daunting...because I am doing it on my own...OYE VEY! How do I step back and let Him take the reins and I just follow?

Anyways...I have found the greatest song by, Francesca Battistelli...mouthful eh? Awesome, just awesome. It pinpoints my faults but exalts the fact that not being perfect is just what the King ordered.

Take a listen!

http://carriemeeaway.blogspot.com/2009/02/perfectionmy-enemy.html

I love music. It moves me in ways that nothing else can. A truly gifted song writer can say something in a song that's hard to put into words otherwise.

One of my favorite songs right now is "Free to be Me" by Francesca Battistelli. I heard it on the radio a couple of weeks ago and knew I had to have it. I listened to the rest of the album on itunes and went out and bought it. It has been in my CD player in my car for over a week now. The whole album is awesome, but I really love that first song.

If you've not yet had the pleasure of hearing it, you can check it out here.

These are the opening lyrics:

At twenty years of age
I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

It's a good reminder that God created us to be who we are. He doesn't make mistakes. He sees the good in us even when we can't see it in ourselves. And He has great plans for us!!

Now if that's not something to get excited over, I don't know what is!

http://lifeasweknowitmichelle.blogspot.com/2009/02/got-couple-dents-in-m...

Francesca Battistelli - Perhaps, like me, you never heard her name. I was driving to work one morning when I heard these words, "Cause I got a couple of dents in my fender; Got a couple of rips in my jeans; Try to fit the pieces together; But perfection is my enemy; On my own I'm so clumsy; But on Your shoulders I can see; I'm free to be me." I was intrigued, so I did some investigating on-line and found Francesca's second radio single, "Free To Be Me," has set an incredible record! It is being played on more radio stations than ANY other single from a new artist in Christian radio in all of history! 94 out of 118 stations are playing it! 1

So I asked myself - why? Why was I instantly intrigued? Why has her song sky-rocketed in popularity? This is what I think: because teens and 20-somethings resonate with the words of her song. The first lyrics that jumped out at me were - "a couple of rips in my jeans" - we used to throw out clothes that got so ripped they were tattered, but now young people pay money (and often quite a bit of it) to buy clothes already torn!

More importantly, the second phrase that jumped out at me was, "But perfection is my enemy." I am by no means an expert. I have two grown children and have had many, many conversations with young people. It is apparent when talking to them that in many ways they are not trying to be like us, they are different. They are crying out for us to see beyond the hair, the earrings, the piercings, tattoos, and torn jeans. Every time we try to put a standard before them (that is not specifically God's) it comes across to them as disapproval, unacceptance, and critical judgment-the enemy of their souls. If we were to be honest, it is the enemy our souls as well. Perfection is not our friend - perfection is a standard of law, a measure of acceptability. The law brings the realization that we cannot keep it. "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain... But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." Galatians 3:21, 23-25 We cannot be perfect in ourselves. We cannot live up to a standard, and if we think we do, let us fall on our face and repent of our self-righteousness.

If you know Jesus Christ, the only righteousness you have is His. Our young friends will be saved by the same grace that saved you and me. Jesus looks past the hair, the make-up, the torn jeans, the pierced noses, lips and brows, beyond the spikes, tattoos and gauges. He sees the heart. He reaches down and marvelously saves by His grace and in so doing sets each one of us free. Free to be ourselves IN HIM. My friends, let us stop looking down our un-pierced noses at those who are unlike us and rather pray that we can embrace them and love them as Jesus does and, frankly, that they can love and embrace us, as Jesus does.

Diane

http://victorycall.blogspot.com/2009/01/ripped-jeans-and-perfection.html

I heard this song on the radio the other day and I can't get it out of my brain. Even though I'm not 20 years old...(at least not on the outside!)...I still love it. Stick around to listen for a minute!

Francesca Battistelli - Free To Be Me
From the album My Paper Heart

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war is already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see

(Chorus)
I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to put the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
And on my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
See my life will turn out right
And I'll make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt, 'cause...

(Chorus)

Sometimes I believe That I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe, even though...

(Chorus)

http://rosefamilyaz.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-new-theme-song.html

God With Us - By The Ketchums

I think that, over the years, I lost connection with the amazement and wonder presented with the Christmas story. God has renewed that in me this year. I assume (possibly wrongly) that most of my readers have grown up hearing the Christmas story as well as the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. It is easy for those stories to become "common" or "normal" in our brains because we have heard them so much when in actuality there is nothing "normal" about either one. I encourage you to stop and ponder the reality of the Christmas story today.

God--seriously GOD--the creator of the universe--came to earth in human form. He became like us! Stop and think about what He gave up in order to do that! HEAVEN--Hello? Isn't that where we are all looking forward to going, and he gave it up for us!! I think a lot of people assume (as I did) that even though Jesus came as a baby, he was somehow a supernatural baby who was only a baby in the physical sense. No no...he became like us completely, which means he was completely a baby. He cried, got hungry, maybe even had the cholic. He was dependent on his parents for food and shelter. He grew up, just like we did. Seriously, God became one of us! That is just amazing to me!

The following by Francesca Battistelli helped me put it in perspective. It is written from the point of view of Mary, the mother of Jesus. (stop and think a minute about her position--WHOAH! Here you've been entrusted with the baby who is to be the Savior of the world!)

You're Here
Hold on now, I gotta take a deep breath
I don’t know what to say
when I look in your eyes
You made the world before I was born
Here I am holding You in my arms tonight
Noel, Noel, Jesus our Emmanuel
You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but You’re here
Don’t know how long I’m gonna have You for
But I’ll be watching when You change the world
Look at Your hands, they’re still so small
Someday You’re gonna stretch them out and save us all
Noel, Noel, God with us Emmanuel
You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but you’re here… you’re here
Someday I’m gonna look back on this
The night that God became a baby boy
Someday You're gonna go home again,
But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy
You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here…
You’re here Hallelujah… You’re here… Hallelujah... You’re here
I think the most overwhelming part of the whole thing is that He's still here. Each and every day for each and every one of us. AMAZING!

http://mandmketchum.blogspot.com/2008/12/god-with-us.html

It's not often that I get REALLY excited about a cd, but since September, two have come along that I can barely keep off my iPod. The first was Lincoln Brewster's fabulous "Today Is The Day" album, and now the debut from major label hotshot Francesca Battistelli.

What makes this album doubly exciting is that Battistelli is a committed, and very open Christian, a fact which comes over loud and clear on this Warner Brothers/Curb release.

Aside from a very cute paper heart shaped lyric booklet, you first notice just how mature a songwriter this 23 year old from New York City really is.

Immediate reference points I guess (although I really don't like having to do that) would be Sara Bareilles with a possible hint of Nichole Nordeman, but musically Francesca sails a lot closer to Bareilles, as the more up-tempo songs have some real guts and groove without being musically overbearing.

It's not often you can say, hand on heart, that there is not one poor song, or filler on a record, but I can honestly say this applies here.

There are three types of song really on display here; the uptempo rockers (opener "Free To Be Me", "Unpredictable"), the songs with a groove (the excellent funky title track along with "Blue Sky") and then the ballads, which on this album are not just used as quiet interludes, but which are quality songs in themselves.

Recent single "Beautiful Beautiful" is a sensitive worship song in which Francesca sings

"Now there's a joy inside I can't contain/But even perfect days can end in rain/And though it's pouring down/I see you through the clouds/Shining on my face"

The brilliantly simple worship song "Forever Love" which I could easily see being sung in churches accross the land, and closer "Time In Between", which is again very cleverly written.

The playing is at all times sympathetic and never overshadows Battistelli's work, and her voice itself is a tour de force; at times a powerful growl, at other times a soft purr, but always mesmerising.

This album will easily sit in my top 3 for 2008. Francesca is coming to Medford in November, and I for one cannot wait to hear her in person.

http://stevebest-livingthedream.blogspot.com/2008/10/francesca-battistel...

I have a little bit of an obssesive personality. (i know, you couldn’t have guessed that could you??) I tend to get addicted to things for periods of time. Like, I’ll get hooked on a certain cd, or tv show or whatever. This is what I’m addicted to right now… this is Francesca Battistelli. The song is called Free to be Me. She tells the story of how the song came about b4 she sings it, it’s a funny little story. I just luv her voice and how she tells stories w/ her songs.

http://doulangel.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/some-friday-fun/

Today I heard a song by Francesca Battistelli called "Time In Between." It's a gorgeous song. I don't actually know what it's about since I only heard it once, but the title inspired me.

Those of you who know me probably know that my life is constantly running and changing. Life-changing events are actually run-of-the-mill in this home. I greatly dislike having to be busy all the time -- except when I'm not busy. You see, there's just one problem with a life that's always moving: In those moments in between, I get really, really bored. If my life isn't suddenly turned upside-down, suddenly it doesn't seem like my life anymore.

Recently, I haven't had any of those life-changing events. Almost this whole year has been an adjustment period mixed with the mundane. And quite honestly, it's hard to take interest in these in-between times. It's so easy to become depressed. It's very discouraging to think, Nothing worthwhile is happening. God's not working in my life right now. If He's not interested, why should I be any different?

I've got some news for you (and me, while I'm at it): God is so interested in this in-between time. This is the time He's working the most! When you're not caught up in the next thing you have to do, He can say, "Good. You have nothing else to do, so sit there and listen." This is a preparation time for that next upside-down moment. The next time your life breaks, you'll be ready. The next time the world spins out of control, you'll have something to hold onto because God loved you enough to give you a time in between to prepare you. He's so wise, He knew we would never be able to stand up against a constant onslaught of pressure from the world and our circumstances. I'm so glad He did, because if there's never a quiet moment, when are we supposed to be still and know that He is God? Let's not forget why we have a Sabbath. God knows we need rest from the world. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." Resting is actually key to our salvation. It gives us that time to take a deep breath and remember who God is and what He can do, to refresh our trust. And then when tragedy hits, we are so much stronger. We can handle constant running, because He's carrying us.

Jesus promised peace and rest for us. And even though we get bored, believe me, we need it. Don't look at your next quiet moment as "boring." You'll regret it later. Take the time to sit down with God and get to know Him better. Take an hour, an afternoon, or even better, a whole day and give it to God. Clear your schedule for Him. Go on a walk. Learn. And rest.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint," says the Lord. ~Jeremiah 31:25

Oh, and I found a player for that song, so maybe you can tell me what it's about ;) It's the last one, Time In Between.

http://battlementsofrubies.blogspot.com/2008/11/time-in-between.html

Francesca Battistelli
Behind the Scenes

I know I just posted a song from this artist a couple of days ago but now that I've gotten a chance to listen to more of her songs, I had to share this one too. I wish you could all hear this song. It's so beautiful. I don't think just posting the lyrics does the song justice because the lyrics and the melody together are what make it so great. The verse that really caught me was "Sometimes I can’t see anything through the dark surrounding me and at times I’m unsure about the ground beneath my feet. If it’s safe and sound. When it’s hard to find hope in the unseen, I have peace in knowing it will find me". I have a feeling this song will get a lot of play on my iPod while I'm in South Africa because those lyrics speak to me and say that even though I don't know the experiences that are awaiting me on this trip, God is working behind the scenes and everything will work out just as He intends it to and my hope lies in believing that with all my heart.

Here's the chorus...

Things aren’t always what they seem
You’re only seeing part of me
There’s more than you could ever know
Behind the scenes
I’m incomplete and I’m undone
But I suppose like everyone
There’s so much more that’s going on
Behind the scenes

http://lifeandlyrics-jamey.blogspot.com/2008/09/song-of-day_25.html