Francesca Battistelli Goes ‘Carolin’’ to No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart

Francesca Battistelli scores her sixth No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart as her holiday single “Carolin’” jingles to the top of the Dec. 31-dated tally.

The song increased by 4% to 1.7 million audience impressions Dec. 16-22, according to Luminate. (As previously reported, this week marks a switch to a Friday-through-Thursday tracking schedule for Billboard’s individual-format airplay charts.)

Battistelli, who is based in Columbia, Tenn., co-penned “Carolin’” with Mia Fields and Seth Mosley.

“What a fun Christmas present to hear that ‘Carolin’’ is connecting with people like this,” Battistelli told Billboard after hearing the news of her latest coronation. “It’s a special song for me for several reasons. I wrote it with two of my favorite writer friends; singing carols is one of my favorite things about Christmas; and, last but certainly not least, my sweet daughter Audrey sang background vocals with me on it! I am humbled and honored that this song is being enjoyed by so many people.”

Battistelli tops Christian Airplay for the first time since “Messiah” led for a week in January 2018. In between that leader and “Carolin'” (her 13th top 10 as well as her sixth No. 1), her “The Breakup Song” hit No. 9 in November 2018, followed by “Defender” (No. 12, November 2019), “This Could Change Everything” (No. 25, August 2020), “Behold Him” (No. 12, December 2020), “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (No. 36, last holiday season) and “God Is Good” (No. 25, this March).

Battistelli first reached Christian Airplay with “I’m Letting Go,” which rose to No. 3 in July 2008. She first led the list with “Free to Be Me” for four weeks in April-May 2009.