The first thing you notice about JJ Helle… Read Full Bio ↴By Kierstin Casella (2006)
The first thing you notice about JJ Heller is a wide grin that stretches across her face and welcomes you in as a friend, whether you’ve known her for years or are shaking her hand for the very first time. These days especially, the twenty-five year old west coast native has a lot to be happy about.
In March 2006, she independantly released her third record (scheduled for national release in November 2006), Only Love Remains, showcasing her pure, penetrating voice, and opening the door to a bold new range of songs. JJ, along with her husband Dave (who serves as guitarist, manager, and co-writer) recorded the distinctive album at Nashville’s Sputnik Sound with Grammy-winning producer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman.)
“I found that JJ has an unadulterated approach to song writing. Her songs actually spoke to me, where a lot of Christian music is the same message with different words,” explains Dane. “[JJ and Dave] live their art, and I never felt like they were trying too hard to be something they weren't.”
In addition to JJ and Dave’s prominent talents, Only Love Remains features Bryan Sutton (Dixie Chicks, The Chieftains) on mandolin, guitar and banjo; David Henry (Over the Rhine) on cello; Ben Shive (Andrew Peterson) on piano; Andy Hubbard (Little Big Town, Fernando Ortega) on drums, Aaron Sands (Jars of Clay) on bass; with Jeremy Casella (singer/songwriter) and Andrew Osenga (Caedmon’s Call) on guitars/backing vocals.
Only Love Remains follows Heller’s 2005 EP, Collection of Thoughts, and her debut release, Songs That I Know (2004.)
JJ began her career nearly six years ago at San Jose Christian College where she dabbled in songwriting and performed at local coffeehouses. After graduating, JJ and Dave got married and relocated to Phoenix to pursue music full time. In August of 2006, they moved to Nashville, TN where they currently reside. The combination of Dave’s business sense and creative input, and JJ’s loose artistic style drives their success.
“We’re definitely two halves of a whole,” she explains. “I write the bulk of the lyrics and Dave is the editor and arranger, making the songs more effective. He also does everything on the business side, which is great because it frees me up to be creative.”
For Only Love Remains, the pair focused on a braver songwriting style, departing slightly from JJ’s prior introspective lyrics and exploring story-songs about the lives around them. Musically, they pulled influence from artists like Damien Rice and Over the Rhine, with a lyrical intricacy akin to Patty Griffin. The result is an exceptional collection of songs that is warm and engaging with a little bit of edge.
In writing material for the new release, JJ poured her every day observations into her songbook: stories she heard while traveling, and those nearer to her heart. “This album is all about redemption,” observes JJ. “ Looking back on the songs, there’s a lot of struggle written into them because that’s life. Everyone has different problems to face, but in the end, the outcome hinges on how you deal with those struggles-- if you allow them to destroy you or make you stronger.”
Perhaps it’s her insight and sensitivity that consistently draw a female audience to JJ’s music. She touches on issues of self-image and worry, questions of faith, and feelings of loneliness; her songs resonate with women and offer encouragement. But JJ’s music connects with people from all walks of life. Whether performing in a quaint coffeehouse, at a weekend retreat, or a Sunday morning church service for 1000 people, the Hellers aim to be themselves wherever they go. They maintain a balance of light-hearted humor and poignant dialogue with their listeners.
As an artist, JJ Heller is a mix of eclectic and down-to-earth: from her jeans and t-shirt style to the way she pushes her own boundaries. When it comes to her music, she never settles.
"Music has a way of speaking to my heart like nothing else can," JJ says. "It is my hope and prayer that my songs will somehow speak to my listeners and bring them hope, peace and inspiration."
Hand to Hold
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Puddles are for jumping, fields are made to run
Stars are made for counting, and for wishes coming true
Sleep is made for dreaming, and I have dreams for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
Stones are made for skipping, stories made to tell
Life is made for living, I pray you live it well
Learning comes from trying, so don′t be afraid to lose
Songs are made for singing, I'll sing this one for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May the good Lord bless and keep you, fill you with His peace
His face will shine upon you, even as you sleep
Every day, you′re changing, sometimes I wish it wasn't true
Hearts are made for giving, I've given mine to you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May you always know you have my hand to hold
JJ Heller's song "Hand to Hold" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that speaks about the joy, innocence, and wonder that children have in their lives. The song celebrates the simple pleasures in life, like climbing trees, jumping in puddles, and counting stars, which are made even more special when shared with someone who loves you. The song is an expression of the deep love and devotion that a parent has for their child and the wish that they have for them to live their lives to the fullest.
The lyrics are full of metaphors, like trees being made for climbing, and puddles being made for jumping. These metaphors are meant to be read in a literal as well as a metaphorical sense, where trees represent the obstacles that life may throw at you, and puddles represent the challenges that you must overcome. The song teaches us that living life to the fullest is not just about having fun and experiencing joy, but also about facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and learning from our mistakes.
The song's chorus is the most uplifting and inspiring part of the song, where JJ Heller sings, "May you never lose the wonder in your soul, May you always have a blanket for the cold, May the living light inside you be the compass as you go, May you always know you have my hand to hold." These words are a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws your way, there will always be someone who loves you and is there to support you. The song's message is one of hope, love, and encouragement.
Line by Line Meaning
Trees are made for climbing, days are made for sun
The world is full of opportunities and good experiences to be enjoyed, such as climbing trees and basking in the sun.
Puddles are for jumping, fields are made to run
There is joy in simple, unrefined activities, such as jumping in puddles and running through open fields.
Stars are made for counting, and for wishes coming true
The stars are a reminder that life is full of beauty and possibility, and that wishes can and do come true for those who believe.
Sleep is made for dreaming, and I have dreams for you
Sleep is a time for the imagination to wander and explore, and I have big hopes and dreams for your future.
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
I hope that you always maintain a sense of curiosity and amazement about life, and that you never let cynicism or disillusionment take over.
May you always have a blanket for the cold
I wish for you comfort and security, both in a physical and emotional sense.
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
I pray that you always let your inner light guide you on your life journey, and that you remain true to yourself no matter what.
May you always know you have my hand to hold
I want you to know that I will always be there for you, a steady influence and a loving presence in your life.
Stones are made for skipping, stories made to tell
There is beauty and joy to be found everywhere, in the simple act of skipping stones or in the rich narratives of our individual lives.
Life is made for living, I pray you live it well
Life is a precious gift, and I hope that you make the most of it by living a life full of purpose, passion, and joy.
Learning comes from trying, so don′t be afraid to lose
We learn and grow by taking risks and making mistakes, so don't be afraid of failure or setbacks. It's all part of the process.
Songs are made for singing, I'll sing this one for you
Music is a language of the soul, and this song is my gift to you, an expression of my love and hope for your future.
May the good Lord bless and keep you, fill you with His peace
I pray that God's love and grace surround and sustain you always, bringing you peace and comfort when you need it most.
His face will shine upon you, even as you sleep
God is always watching over you, even in your sleep, and his love illuminates your life with warmth and light.
Every day, you′re changing, sometimes I wish it wasn't true
Growing up and changing can be difficult, both for the child and the parent. But it's a natural and necessary part of life, and we both need to learn to adapt and embrace the changes.
Hearts are made for giving, I've given mine to you
Love is the most precious gift of all, and I have given you mine completely and unconditionally. You will always be in my heart.
Writer(s): Andy Gullahorn, Jennifer Heller, David Heller
Contributed by Brody C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@maureeng1000
My son is getting married september 1st. I put off finding a song (forgot actually) and I needed to find a song by August 1. On July 4th I was with his older sister in the car listening to songs listed on a "150 songs for mother son dances" article. While listening to one, your song was listed as a "recommendation" next. I started to play it....almost didn't....and immediately was touched!
The melody, easy going nature, description of childhood and wish from a mother to her child....son, in my case....was perfect.
I had been through about 20 songs already and knew I would know the song when it made me tear up. Well, the song, along with the video, had me bawling.
When you become an empty nester and mom to adult children, life changes dramatically. It's very tough not being their center of attention and even more difficult when their new center of attention pushes you away. I'm praying your song "Hand To Hold" helps them, their friends and families see that I'm not a "monster in law" and am just misunderstood.
Thank you for helping me love on my "little boy" one last time before he walks off into eternity with another woman in the primary role in his life.
I pray the Lord has healing and a brighter future for our relationships, but even if that's not meant to be, this song will make me feel like I gave it a wonderful release into the next chapter that is his life.
I'm subscribed and will share you with everyone I know after Sept 1. For now, you and your blessings and talent are my little secret!
Thank you....mother to mother! 💞
@tabeakalimeris1230
Lyrics:
Trees are made for climbing, days are made for sun
Puddles are for jumping, fields are made to run
Stars are made for counting, and for wishes coming true
Sleep is made for dreaming, and I have dreams for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
Stones are made for skipping, stories made to tell
Life is made for living, I pray you live it well
Learning comes from trying, so don't be afraid to lose
Songs are made for singing, I'll sing this one for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May the good Lord bless and keep you, fill you with His peace
His face will shine upon you, even as you sleep
Every day you're changing, sometimes I wish it wasn't true
Hearts are made for giving, I've given mine to you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May you always know you have my hand to hold
@hyeyatee
Thank you for sharing your gift 💝
Hand to Hold
JJ Heller
Trees are made for climbing, days are made for sun
Puddles are for jumping, fields are made to run
Stars are made for counting, and for wishes coming true
Sleep is made for dreaming, and I have dreams for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
Stones are made for skipping, stories made to tell
Life is made for living, I pray you live it well
Learning comes from trying, so don't be afraid to lose
Songs are made for singing, I'll sing this one for you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May the good Lord bless and keep you, fill you with His peace
His face will shine upon you, even as you sleep
Every day you're changing, sometimes I wish it wasn't true
Hearts are made for giving, I've given mine to you
May you never lose the wonder in your soul
May you always have a blanket for the cold
May the living light inside you be the compass as you go
May you always know you have my hand to hold
May you always know you have my hand to hold
@TheDaveVolk
I know this is a song mostly for moms, but I am a grandpa and I cry listening to this, too, thinking of my 2-year-old granddaughter and how she reaches for my hand to go play whenever I come to visit my wonderful son and daughter-in-law, and their new twins. Hearts are meant for giving ...
@markandan552
❤❤❤
@ruthtait5701
Grandpa are just the best, this is for all, life touches all hearts and souls, thank you for sharing for the Grandads 🥰
@Oknemilkailhad
You sound so awesome. ❤
@stephquinn5436
That's beautiful ❤
@DezaraeMorgan-uw4th
💫
@janekrupp1881
JJ. I am a grandmother of an autistic nonverbal 3 yr old. Your music calms him down and helps him to fall asleep every night. While he was in the hospital the nurses played your music. It not only calmed him but his mother. Thank you so much for your music and ministry.
@DreamyVibezMusic
This sound is so wonderful. The person who is reading this comment, I wish you great success, health, love and happiness!
@GlamburgerGlam
My oldest son got married on Saturday, and this is the song I danced to with him for our mother/son dance. It was absolutely perfect. My son had asked me for suggestions for a song for us to dance to, because he was having a hard time finding one he liked. I set out looking for one and somehow stumbled upon this one. He and my daughter-in-law had asked me to do the prayer before dinner at their wedding, and the Lord had told me weeks ago to pray His blessing over them, so I already knew I was going to pray "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face toward you, and give you peace." So, when I listened to this song and heard that blessing in it, I knew right away it was the perfect song for us to dance to. Thank you for making such beautiful music. No matter how old our children get, we never stop seeing them as our babies. Now I know for sure that it wasn't accidental, it was exactly the song God intended for us to dance to. I am so thrilled to see there is a book to go along with this song too. You can be sure it will be a gift for my first grandchild, whenever they have him or her.💗
@shhhness
May there come a time when humankind wakes up and every child on earth has every adults hand to hold, no fear, no threat - secure, safe - no hunger.
May we show every child there is a hand they can hold.. my hand is your hand, your hand is my hand.
One day... ❤