He Knows My Name (Francesca Battistelli)

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The original write-up for the song He Knows My Name was Memory Verse #19: Colossians 3:14, published on 26 June 2015.

Original Memory Verse Application/Integration

The following was the original write-up that accompanied the memory verse application:

The principles of living our love through kindness, compassion, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and tolerance can be seen in Francesca Battistelli’s official music video for her song He Knows My Name, with the lyrics provided below. This is not just a music video, or a mere worship song – it has general appeal and the stories/testimonies shared by each of the women who have benefited from Mercy Ministries. Now, granted the ministry has not been controversy-free, but the mission is clear: Mercy Ministries exists to provide opportunities for young women to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power.

Song Background

Francesca Battistelli’s claim to fame is arguably tied to her release of He Knows My Name, back in 2014 as part of her album If We’re Honest. The whole album oozes an identity centred in Christ, which is consistent with the brand image Francesca has been developing from day #1. As one of her own personal favourites, Francesca shared with New Release Today on some of the personal connection to the song. Francesa had spend a lifetime struggling with her confidence, and was particularly troubled and challenged by some of the things people would say about her. As is typical in the modern society of today, young people are greatly influenced by their peers and the words of their peers can cut deep. The words of wisdom from Francesca’s mom set a moral standard for her:

What you think of me is none of my business

This challenge was daunting for Francesca becasue she wanted to know what her friends and people would think and call her. The need to impress and achieve a level of smartness, humour and coolness was inextricably tied up in the identity and worthiness of today’s youth. Some of these negative experiences were channelled into various songs of If We’re Honest, including He Knows My Name. During the composition of He Knows My Name, Francesca was able to transform the previous negative things she was thinking about her worthlessness, and in taking and placing her hope in the nature of God as Lord, and who He is in her, as a believer, Francesca was able to express that mental and emotional journey into finding the loving truth of Christ. Indeed, He Knows My Name, is about finding our identity in Christ. Indeed we do not ever need the spotlight of the world shone upon us to enable us or provide us a false assurance of identity – all we need is to embrace wholy and fully that we are famous – we are already famous – in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, our Christ Messiah. He knows my name; He knows your name.

The power of knowing, understanding and claiming that truth: He knows our name, was an anthem that Francesca hopes can be claimed and proclaimed by young people everywhere.

We all need to be reminded that God calls us forgiven, chosen, wanted and loved. That’s the inspiration behind the song, wanting to get that out there and remind people that the name that matters is the one that God gives us.

The chorus lyrics in particular have an self-affirmation purpose for Francesca, reminding her of her own lifestyle – of all people, she does not need her name in lights, she is famous in the eyes of Father God. In this way, the song is a great reminder for her that no matter what she does as a Christian (works), the purpose and identtiy of Francesca Battistelli is first and foremost wrapped up in her identity as a daughter of the most High God. Instead of Francesca focusing on how she was conveying and presenting the Gospel and beating herself up over it, wondering if God was using her story at all, Francesca’s maturity of faith instills in her the confidence and peace of mind that these objectives and any outcome/reactions does not matter or affect her identity in Christ. Her humility in submitting to God and honouring Him first through the song (and album) is inspiring to all Christian artist/song writers out there. In her own words:

God can use anybody who is available to Him. I can’t do any of this in my own strength. He brought me here, and He gets the glory. That applies no matter what you do in life. This song is about celebrating what God calls us. He calls us loved and forgiven and chosen and free and beautiful. He knows our names. There really is something amazing about that. If you think about the billions of people on earth and everything God has created, it is amazing how He specifically knows you by name and He loves you so much. I hope people feel encouraged when they hear it.

Francesca’s focus and heart was very much on her three daughters who she recognises the need for them t o hear the core message behind her song – the truth and love of God at work in restoring and empowering us to do all things in His name and greater. Whilst our thoughts many constantly be under attack by the Devil, this song is a great way to submit to Him and commit to ourselves and to God, finding assurance and trust in the Word of God, no matter how we feel about ourselves.

God knows us intimately, and because of what Jesus did on the Cross, He sees us as holy, righteous, redeemed, chosen, fully known and forgiven no matter what you’ve done. If you’ve put all of your hope and trust in Jesus, there is nothing that can separate you from His love. God sees us as He sees His Son. He knows our names, He named us, and He loves us so much that He came to die for us.

Lyric Analysis

The lyrics and writing style of this song is in the first person, which makes it highly conducive to personal forms of worship and devotion. The beat and syncopation of the song is present from the start, helping us to move swiftly through each stanza. Verse 1 sees us having that inner conversation with ourselves. It is easy for us to identify with the lyrics – when we look in the mirror, we can often be our worst critics and see the imperfections. If we were indeed looking for a champion or hero, which our society is driven towards in so many ways, what is the likelihood we would be so egotistical to choose and pick ourselves? It is highly understandable and we identify with Francesca that others/everyone else would be picked first and before ourselves. The last stanza hints at how this self reflection is a moment from the past – an old pasts.

In the pre-chorus, muscially we’re ramping up the energy, with the lyrics building on the story and journey. We are no longer being inward looking at ourselves, but opening our eyes to the truth that God (the You of the pre-chorus first stanza) was there, even if we were feeling down and self-deprecating. It is in the intrinsic nature of God that He saw our hearts and brokenness, but had a plan to make a masterpiece out of us.

The chorus is a natural peak and cresendo for the song – how many people, when singing this to themselves would have that moment of breakthrough and declare aloud “I don’t need my name in lights”? That kind of statement is jam packed with power and hope. Coupled with the second epic stanza of the chorus “I’m famous in my Father’s eyes”, the chorus evokes the raw emotion that we matter to our Father Creator in Heaven. Although it is not explicity worded according to the referenced bible verses, all ring truth resoundingly:

  • Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV): “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
  • Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV): “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.”
  • Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
  • 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV): But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
  • Romans 12:2 (The Voice): “Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.”

The chorus, as mentioned above, provides a dual purpose and relevance. In focusing our attention solely on the One who deserves all glory, fame and recognition, it should humble us as believers to not allow our pride and ego to grow and fool us. We do NOT live for applause or recognition because we are already so much adored. The world and our lives is really a stage and we are vessels for bear His light, truth and love to the world. Therefore, all glory and honour, blessing and honour is rightly bestowed to God our Father; Christ the Son and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

The second verse is a call to action. Now that we possess the truth and claim our identity in Christ, we cannot stay quiet. It is much more than this song, so much more that we have the Gospel of truth burning within us. We have to share this good news every moment that we have. The lion metaphor is employed in a positive setting here; the righteous person is said to be as “confident as a lion,” even while “the wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing” (Proverbs. 28:1). The lion’s strength and boldness are exemplified in our courage to declre the truth.

Finally, the bridge  has the inspiring, biblical reminder: “He calls me chosen, free, forgiven, wanted, child of the King, His forever, Held and treasured, I am loved.” This song is a celebratory anthem about what it means to have hope in Christ, and that if you know Christ, you don’t have to be ashamed or beat yourself up because you belong to someone greater. God chose us, He set us free from the wages of sin, forgave us and provided a means of redemption in His sacrifice on the cross. In accepting and stepping into our identity in Christ, we become children of the King. As long as we follow and pursue Him daily, we will belong to Him forever in eternity.

 

Lyrics

Verse 1
Spent today in a conversation
In the mirror face to face with
somebody less than perfect
I wouldn’t choose me first if

I was looking for a champion
In fact I’d understand if
You picked everyone before me
But that’s just not my story

Pre-Chorus
True to who You are
You saw my heart
and made something out of nothing

Chorus
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name

I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage
He knows my name oh, oh,
He knows my name oh, oh

Verse 2
I’m not meant to just stay quiet
I’m meant to be a lion
I’ll roar beyond a song

With every moment that I’ve got
True to who You are
You saw my heart and made
Something out of nothing

Bridge
He calls me chosen, free forgiven,
Wanted, child of the King,
His forever, held in treasure…
I am loved

Musical Arrangement

The standard arrangement that Francesca performs He Knows My Name is quite simple:

  • Verse 1
  • Pre-Chorus
  • Chorus
  • Verse 2
  • Pre-Chorus
  • Chorus
  • Bridge
  • Chorus (first two lines)
  • Chorus

Written in the key of G, the song is moderately paced at 90 bpm. The classification of this song is such that it too falls on the side of the fence similar to Never Too Far Gone (Jordan Feliz) – not quite contemporary Christian worship but very much so part of the easy-listening Christian songs that make it highly conducive to radio stations like Light FM which is a big champion for songs like this one.