By Kierstin Casella (2006)

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."

Little Things
JJ Heller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There are not enough minutes in the day
I am crippled by the thought of wasting time
I don't have enough money to heal the poor
So I don't want to try

But it's the little things that make a difference
It's the little things that show love
It's the little things

A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters

I'll be praying for the widow all alone
Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread
It is not my fault that she is hungry
It's my joy to make sure she's fed

We are all related, children of the King
We may not have much, but what we have we bring

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to JJ Heller's song Little Things convey a message about finding purpose in small acts of kindness and generosity. The first verse expresses the overwhelming feeling of not being able to do enough to make a difference. The fear of wasting time and not having the resources to solve big problems can be paralyzing, but the chorus emphasizes the power of small acts of kindness. A simple cup of water or providing food to those in need can make a significant impact and even save lives. The second verse talks about helping the less fortunate, in this case, a destitute widow. The singer acknowledges that it's not their fault that the woman is going hungry, but it's their duty and pleasure to ensure that she's fed.

Heller's song highlights the significance of the small things we can do to make a difference in the world. These little things add up and can have a substantial impact on individual lives and the world as a whole. The song has a religious element to it, referencing that we're all children of the King, but the message is universal. We all have a role to play in making the world a better place, and the little things we do matter.

Line by Line Meaning

There are not enough minutes in the day
I feel like I never have enough time to do everything I need or want to do

I am crippled by the thought of wasting time
The idea of not being productive with my time is overwhelming and makes me feel helpless

I don't have enough money to heal the poor
I don't have the means to solve all the problems of poverty in the world

So I don't want to try
It's tempting to give up before even starting because of the enormity of the problems we face

But it's the little things that make a difference
Although big problems can be daunting, small acts of kindness and generosity can have a big impact

It's the little things that show love
It's through small, everyday actions like kindness, compassion, and generosity that we can express love and care to those around us

It's the little things
Once again emphasizing the importance of small actions as a way to make a positive difference in the world

A simple cup of water that can change the world
Even something as simple as giving someone a cup of water can have a big impact and change the course of a person's life

That can save our sons and daughters
Acts of generosity and kindness can help prevent the suffering of future generations

I'll be praying for the widow all alone
Although I may not have physical resources to give, I can offer support and prayer to those who are struggling

Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread
This line highlights the desperate poverty that many people face, and the need for compassionate action to alleviate such suffering

It is not my fault that she is hungry
Although I may not be responsible for creating the conditions that led to someone's suffering, I can still take responsibility for doing what I can to help

It's my joy to make sure she's fed
Generosity and compassion can be a source of joy and fulfillment in life, as well as a way to help others

We are all related, children of the King
This line speaks to the idea that all people are interconnected and share a common humanity, regardless of differences in race, religion, or nationality

We may not have much, but what we have we bring
Even if we have limited resources, we can still offer what we have as a way to support and care for others

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW JOHN SIMS, DAVID RYAN HARRIS, MILTON DAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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