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."
If You Fall
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are a house that's burning
And everything in me wants to run
But that's not love
If you fall, I fall with you
If you hurt I feel it too
Even if my heart turns black and blue
I planted seeds down in the ground
Not every one is growing
When I am tempted to give up
I choose love
If you fall, I fall with you
If you hurt I feel it too
Even if my heart turns black and blue
I will love you
Beauty and light will fight for you
Goodness will rise
It shines for you
If you fall, I fall with you
If you hurt I feel it too
Even if my heart turns black and blue
If you fall, I fall with you
If you hurt I feel it too
Even if my heart turns black and blue
I will love you
I will love you
The lyrics of JJ Heller's song "If You Fall" speak about unconditional love and commitment. The first verse refers to a broken and burning house, which could be a metaphor for a person who is struggling, hurting, or dealing with hardships. The singer expresses her desire to run away, but she acknowledges that running away is not an act of love. The second verse speaks about planting seeds that are not all growing, but instead of giving up, the singer chooses to love. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer will stand by the person they love no matter what happens.
The bridge of the song talks about the forces of beauty, light, and goodness fighting for the person who is struggling. It's a reminder that even when things seem bleak, there are still reasons to hold on and keep fighting. The final chorus reinforces the idea that the singer's love is unconditional, even if they go through difficult times together.
Overall, the lyrics of "If You Fall" convey an important message about staying committed and standing by loved ones through thick and thin. It's a powerful reminder that love is not just about the good times but also about supporting one another through the bad.
Line by Line Meaning
You are a house that's broken down
You are in a state of despair and brokenness.
You are a house that's burning
You are in a state of chaos and destruction.
And everything in me wants to run
Despite feeling uneasy, I am determined to stay and support you.
But that's not love
Running away from someone's pain isn't a true act of love.
If you fall, I fall with you
I am committed to standing with you through your struggles.
If you hurt I feel it too
Your pain affects me and I care about your well-being.
Even if my heart turns black and blue
Even if loving you becomes difficult, I will continue to do so.
I planted seeds down in the ground
I have invested my time and energy into something, hoping for growth and improvement.
Not every one is growing
Not everything turns out as planned, and sometimes things don't work out.
When I am tempted to give up
In the face of difficulties, I am willing to persist and keep trying.
I choose love
Despite hardships, I make a conscious decision to love, remain dedicated, and see things through.
Beauty and light will fight for you
Despite experiencing darkness and despair, there is hope for a brighter future.
Goodness will rise
Despite the struggles, a positive outcome can still be achieved.
It shines for you
Even when times are tough, there are still reasons to be optimistic and hopeful.
I will love you
My love for you will remain unwavering and steadfast, no matter what happens.
Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.