Rising contemporary Christian artist Anne Wilson is an artist to watch. She is on a mission to spread the love of Jesus through her music. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, the Christian singer-songwriter has lived a lot of life in her 19 years. In 2017, Anne's brother tragically died in a car accident. Her family could not find anyone to sing at the service. Anne stepped up and volunteered to sing. It was at that moment at the service in front of 1,000 people that God spoke to Anne and told her that music and ministry are what He was calling her to do with her life. Anne set aside her plans to become a NASA astronaut and said yes to the Lord's plan.
Anne is passionate about showing others it is not about religion, it's about a relationship with Jesus. In late 2017, a cover video of Anne singing "What A Beautiful Name" went viral on YouTube and caught the attention of music industry manager and executive Jason Davis. Over the following year, Anne became recognized in the music industry as a vocal powerhouse comparable to artists like Lauren Daigle, Ellie Holcomb, and Steffany Gretzinger. By mid-2019, Anne started receiving multiple major record deal offers. Her debut My Jesus is not to be missed, featuring the hit "My Jesus," and follow-up singles, "Sunday Sermons," and "Hey Girl."
She exhibits the passion and confidence of a seasoned artist. Her songwriting is real, positive, and vulnerable, and her upbeat songs are a great way to celebrate our freedom in Christ. Anne is a great role model for girls. Her songs have connected with my daughters and her biblically inspired lyrics represent how true happiness and her identity come from her relationship with God. I had the chance to speak with Anne about her hit song "Hey Girl."
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
"Hey Girl" is one of my favorite songs that I've ever been a part of. I remember walking through a tough season growing up. I used to compare myself to other girls. I used to always feel like I never measured up and I was never good enough.
I remember a sweet friend telling me how precious I was in the eyes of God, and I didn't have to strive for perfection. I didn't have to work hard to get God's love and attention. I was just enough the way God made me. I wrote the song with a couple of my good friends, Jeff Pardo and Matthew West.
Over the past year and a half, I've struggled a lot with putting my identity in what the world says about me, instead of who the Lord has called me to be. I wanted to write a song that would speak to women walking through the same struggles. I hope this song reminds you of your worth in Jesus!
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Romans 8:28 (VOICE): "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
Psalm 139:14 (NIV): "I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full 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."
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."
Romans 8:17 (NIV): "Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory."
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV): "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV): But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What is the takeaway message of your song and album?
"Hey Girl" is an anthem for all the girls and women out there of all ages who are struggling with their identity. I hope this song encourages you that you are made in the image of our King. You are enough.
God has opened so many doors for me to walk through and experience His goodness. I know God is showing me how He is turning the tragedy we experienced into good. He wants to give us joy and peace. If we trust Him and follow Him, and let Him lead our lives, it's beautiful to see what He will do.
This record was written over the last two years of my life and is a collection of songs that each mean different things to me. Every song is a different side of me as an artist–country, worship, and radio–songs that speak to the masses and songs that speak to specific people or seasons. I feel like God placed this calling over my life to minister to those who've lost someone and are hurting. With these songs, I want to speak life and joy to people walking through pain and loss.
Lyrics:
There in my reflection, man, this world's been messin'
It's been messin' with your mind
(Hey girl) someone stole your smile now, it's been a little while now
Happiness is hard to find
Letting everybody and their mother try to tell you what you're worth
Oh, what you're worth
When did you forget that the one who made you told you what you're worth?
Repeat after me
I'm a blood bought, battle fought, all my shame long gone
Made new child of the King
I'm an amen, testify, holy water baptized
Went down and came up clean
I'm a soul been saved by that amazing grace
And now there ain't no way, girl, can't take that away, girl
Don't forget you're free
It's who you're made to be, hey girl
Don't you know you're beautiful?
Crazy kind of wonderful, and there's no one like you
(Hey girl) you don't need to measure up
You are the treasure of the God who loves you
No more letting everybody and their mother try to tell you what you're worth
What you're worth
And if you should forget, let the one who made you tell you what you're worth
And repeat after me
I'm a blood bought, battle fought, all my shame long gone
Made new child of the King
I'm an amen, testify, holy water baptized
Went down and came up clean
I'm a soul been saved by that amazing grace
And now there ain't no way, girl
Can't take that away, girl, don't forget you're free
It's who you're made to be, hey girl
Oh yeah (hey girl)
(Hey girl)
I'm glad we had this talk now, think we said it all now
But here's a little last advice
Live free, walk in victory
And repeat after me
I'm a blood bought, battle fought, all my shame long gone
Made new child of the King
I'm an amen, testify, holy water baptized
Went down and came up clean
I'm a soul been saved by that amazing grace
And now there ain't no way, girl
Can't take that away, girl, don't forget you're free
t's who you're made to be, hey girl
Oh (hey girl)
Hey girl
Closing Thoughts
We all have insecurities in some way. Having anxiety and being able to overcome fear can be accomplished only by stepping into God's supernatural ability. It's only through God's grace that we can overcome our emotional conflicts of feeling invisible and conspicuous at the same time.
The song's message is simple, know that we don't have to be perfect; God made us the way we are for a reason. We're beautiful and we're worth it. We have something to say.
We're fearfully and wonderfully made. Don't let the world tell you who you are. It doesn't matter what you look like outside if you have Jesus on the inside. That's where we can find our true identities--in Him.
A blessing I've received from this song is listening to my daughters sing the lyrics with all their hearts. The words build them up, giving them positive thoughts. Thoughts that point them to the unconditional love of their heavenly Father. I have three young daughters under the age of twenty-two, and I take my responsibility as a Christian father very seriously.
My daughter's sense of self-worth, love and knowledge of who they are in Christ is going to be most learned while they live in my home. As the primary spiritual leader of my family, one of my jobs is to teach my girls biblical principles about love and self-respect. This song really captures my true desire as a hurting father in this broken world which tells girls lies and instead is a reminder to put all of my hope in Christ's love and affirm to my daughters that they are loved more than they can ever know by me and their Heavenly Father.
Satan seeks to destroy us and our relationship with God by making us believe lies that things of this world will fill the holes in our hearts. Anne Wilson has written and sung an exceptional set of songs based on truth that deal with the identity struggle we all face of knowing that as children of God we are made in His image, and we are made whole only by His love.
"Hey Girl" is a biblical truth that all listeners can resonate with. The truth is that Christians are new people on the inside. The truth is that the Holy Spirit gives us new life. And, the truth is that we don't have to live anymore with our guilt, fears, perfectionism, or worries. This song is a personal testimony to the power of walking out of the darkness and into God's marvelous light. Sing along and believe these words: "Don't you know you're beautiful? Crazy kind of wonderful, and there's no one like you/Hey girl you don't need to measure up/You are the treasure of the God who loves you."
Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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