At just 16 years old, Francesca Tarantino isn’t just making music—she’s making a statement. Her latest release, Hold On To Me, proves that she’s not just a rising star in the pop-rock scene—she’s a force to be reckoned with. The Orlando-based artist has already wowed crowds at over 180 live shows and belted the National Anthem at the NBA and MLB games. Still, with Hold On To Me, she delivers something deeply personal: a song that captures the ache of watching a relationship slip away.
From the moment the first guitar chord rings out, Hold On To Me grips you. The track mixes driving rock energy and heartfelt emotion, blending gritty electric guitar with a melody that stays with you long after the final note fades. It’s equal parts plea and realization—an anthem for anyone who has felt the slow unraveling of something they weren’t ready to let go of.
Lyrically, Tarantino lays it all on the line, painting a picture of longing and quiet desperation. It’s not just about begging someone to stay; it’s about knowing they might not and feeling powerless to stop it. Her words are relatable, raw, and, most importantly, honest. And that’s what makes Hold On To Me so impactful—it’s the kind of song that takes you back to moments of your own, reminding you that even if someone is gone, the memories remain.
But here’s the kicker: not only did Francesca write this song entirely on her own, but she also produced it and played every single guitar part—including the solo. That’s an impressive feat for any artist but for someone still in their teens? It’s downright legendary. The guitar work is especially notable, striking the perfect balance between intricate and emotionally charged, elevating the song’s intensity without overpowering its message.
With Hold On To Me, Francesca Tarantino isn’t just showing us her talent—she’s showing us her heart. This isn’t just another pop-rock song; it’s a powerful, self-crafted piece of art that proves she’s got the chops to carve out a serious career in music. If this is what she’s creating now, we can only imagine what’s coming next.
So, if you’re in the mood for a song that hits you right in the feels with killer guitar work and undeniable passion, Francesca Tarantino’s Hold On To Me needs to be at the top of your playlist. And trust us—you’ll want to hold on tight because this is just the beginning.
Hold On To Me is an emotional song about the struggles of holding onto a fading relationship. What inspired you to write this song, and how did you capture those raw emotions in the lyrics?
One day, I was thinking back to all of the relationships/friendships I've had in my life. It got me thinking about how people will enter and leave your life, and there is really nothing you can do to make them stay, even though you're hoping things will work out at that moment in time. It had me reflecting on past friendships and understanding when the relationship might have been drifting apart and how the hope of not losing that person felt.
This is your fifth release, but the first song you completely wrote and produced alone. Can you walk us through your creative process and what it was like to take full control of this project?
It was a new feeling and experience for me, but also a pretty cool one, being able to produce it. I really liked learning and actually am still learning how it all works and what I like or don't like. I wrote the chords and melody a while ago but didn't have lyrics yet. However, as I mentioned above, the lyrics just kind of came to me when I was reflecting. I wrote the lyrics in about 5 minutes, but I still had a lot of work to get it to the point that you hear it today. I sampled it out live a few times on my acoustic and got really good feedback, which helped me get to work on it. My favorite part was definitely writing and recording the guitar solo, and I'm really proud of how it came out! Production-wise, I thought it was cool, and I'm really excited to learn more and keep growing in that area!
You play both acoustic and electric guitar, and you even took charge of all the guitar parts, including the solo, on this track. How does playing your instruments influence the sound and emotional impact of your music?
Oh, it is the absolute best feeling in the world. It is really important to me to be able to match the emotion and feeling of my lyrics/voice to a guitar part and get that feeling across. I wasn't really sure how to do it, but my guitar teacher, Jimmy Leahey, helped a lot by teaching me about modes and guitar production, which helped impact the sound of this song.
Having performed over 180 live shows and sung the National Anthem at major sporting events, how does performing in front of a live audience shape how you approach recording and writing music?
I couldn't imagine NOT performing live! I just LOVE it! I love connecting with the audience and seeing them enjoy music as much as I enjoy it. And then, when they request one of my originals and sing along, it is just an unexplainable feeling. It makes me think, wow, they actually like MY music! When I see people smiling and enjoying themselves, it makes me want to continue that much more!
Your quote about hoping people can relate to the song's lyrics is poignant. What do you hope listeners take away from Hold On To Me, especially those who might be going through similar experiences in their own relationships?
I love writing about things that I've experienced in my life and things that others may have experienced as well. Music is such a great tool for expressing feelings. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else has or is going through the same thing as they are helps. I want people to know that they are never alone!