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."
I Get To Be The One
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little baby.
Your eyes have never seen the sun
You should know
Little baby
That I am the lucky one
I get to be the one to hold your hand
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.
Don't feel alone now,
Little baby.
Do you hear me singing you a song
I can't wait to show you
Little baby
How to crawl
How to walk
And how to run
I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.
How does someone so small
Hold my heart so tightly
I don't even know you
I love you completely
I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one to hold your hand
I get to be the one.
Through birthdays and broken bones
I'll be there to watch you grow
I get to be the one.
The song "I Get To Be The One" by JJ Heller is a heartfelt love letter addressed to a newborn baby. Throughout the song, the singer expresses her joy and gratitude for being able to witness the child's growth and development. The opening lines of the song establish the innocence and newness of the baby's life. The singer acknowledges that she has been alive for much longer than the baby and feels privileged to be able to guide the child through life.
The chorus of the song repeats the singer's position as the one who gets to hold the baby's hand and watch her grow. The singer is committed to being there for the baby through good times and bad, symbolized by birthdays and broken bones. As the verses continue, the singer expresses her eagerness to teach the baby how to crawl, walk, and run. The singer emphasizes the smallness of the baby in contrast to the immense love she feels for her.
Overall, the song is a touching tribute to the bond between a caregiver and a child. The singer is overwhelmed by the depth of love she feels for someone she has only just met. The lyrics express the singer's sense of responsibility and privilege at being able to influence the child's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well hello, Little baby. Your eyes have never seen the sun
The song's speaker greets the newborn with admiration as the baby has never seen the world before.
You should know, Little baby, That I am the lucky one
The singer of the song is grateful that they get to witness this little baby growing up as they feel blessed for it.
I get to be the one to hold your hand, I get to be the one. Through birthdays and broken bones, I'll be there to watch you grow, I get to be the one.
The song's speaker expresses joy and gratefulness in being able to guide and accompany the growing baby throughout the different stages of their life, through good times and bad.
Don't feel alone now, Little baby. Do you hear me singing you a song?
The song's speaker shows companionship to the newborn by communicating and singing to them to make them comfortable and less alone.
I can't wait to show you Little baby, How to crawl, How to walk, And how to run
The song's speaker eagerly anticipates the baby's growth and developing stages and looks forward to teaching them new skills.
How does someone so small Hold my heart so tightly? I don't even know you, I love you completely
The song's speaker expresses their love and fondness for the baby, despite the fact that they just met the newborn.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoyfullyFollowJesus
I just recently found out I'm pregnant with our first. It has been about 3.5 years. It took a long time but we weren't worried, God is in control. Actually the timing is what my husband desired. He had wanted God to wait 3 years after we married but we left it in God's hands.
Now God suprised us with our little one.
I pray she or he has a safe journey into our arms.
May God bless you all and draw you to Himself!
@conducingmeat3
I'm a dad to a 18 year old daughter. And, this made me think about when she was young and not tainted by all the evil of the world. I never cry. And, this made me cry.
@vickibaker8372
Please pray for my daughter as well. Her name is Chelon and she turned 18 on May 14. I miss when she was little. Now.. she went the wrong way...she is rebelling and doing drugs... i cry everyday.
@vickibaker8372
If u want to talk my email is catwalk44@yahoo.com. there are sooo many prodigals... we have to look up to God to pray daily and let God fix all this
@DaysiPerez-rw9xc
@@vickibaker8372 praying for you tonight.
@hannahjackson5195
@Vicki Baker I hope your daughter’s doing better. I’m 16 and it always scares me when I see kids my age struggling like that. Praying for her ❤️
@user-ew4gd7mk9m
I so Am In Love With JJ Heller. God's Guiding Hand Tonight! I'd Never Heard of Her Before. Thank You God. 🌤️🌤️❤️
@kinkyxkitten666
I'm 36 weeks pregnant giving my daughter up for adoption. I love it's an open adoption because I'll see my daughter 3 times a year & she'll always know who her real momma is ❤❤❤
@believetheunseen
I hope your daughter has a beautiful life. We are so grateful to our children's birthmothers (we have 3 beautiful kids) and we love them all so much! We love being open with them. It's not always easy but it's worth it! Wishing you the best.
@whitneychudy7163
I adore this. Your daughter is surrounded by love and you have set her up for success by providing what you might not have grown up with, and staying a consistent momma who loves her exactly as she is. I wish I could have this with our sons’ birth momma ❤️🩹